New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-09-04
THE POLITICAL SITUATION.
The Liberal Observation-Disclosures gem-Bad
Fsith-A United Democracy

fully welcomed as colaborers that element
OF the Republican party who, with equal
ardCr and honesty as themselves, choose to
break the ties which bound them to strong
ana always victorious organization, and to
ally themselves with new and untried
experiment, for the purpose Of redresslng
evils and grievances of which all honest
people complain. 1t was this class of men
who appeared as vigorous advocates of the
Liberal movement, previous to the con-
vPntiop; who composed that body it.
self:w adopted a platform Of principles
equally creditable to their wisdom and pa
triotism as it was sincere in its expression,
and who nominated ticket, not strong it is
true, but in the main exhibiting good faith.
1t was that class of men who voted for the
resolution allowing thirty days for. the
withdrawal of candidates in order that
changes might be effected, Cancellation ac-
complished; but who wisely insisted, know
ing or believing to know the dangers sur
sounding them, upon the retention Of their
guDernatoriaI candidate. That resolution
contained another provision: it instructed
the State Central Committeesto use 'all fair
and honorable means" to effect a union Of
favorable elements.
Can any Liberal Democrat, as defined
above, with honor to himself, good faith
toward hls associates, or shadow Of con
sistency, now support the fusion ticket
II is well known that John McEnery, can
didate for Governor H. N. Ogden for At
torney General, r. NJ. Lusher for Superin-
tendent of Pablo Education, upon the
united State ticket, the representative of
Bourbon Democracy, have been jncorpo-
rated upon a ticket W hich does not pretend
to be Liberal, but which is given the appel
lation of fusion, and these men decline,
and are not even required to accept as
basis for their future political conduct the
platform Of principles, while the nominees
of tile Liberal party, who do accept it
Penn, Herman and McDonald-are with
drawn to give them place. Can any Lib
eraI Democrat deny that with the positions
of Governor, Attorney General and Super
intendent Of Public Education in the hands
Of straight Democrats, that the entire
State patronage will be controlled by the
straight Democracy; the ticket becomes in
reality Democratic one, and not entitled
to recognition as a Liberal one; that the
Liberal party is virtually transferred to
Bourbon headquarters, and Liberal Repub-
licans and Liberal Democrats alike e1-
clnded from the benefits Of a hotly con-
tested campaign, deprived at the eleventh
hour of the fruits of their labor? Again:
Can any Liberal Democrat persuade him
sell to believe not only that it is fair and
honorable to approve the unconditional
surrender Of the State ticket, but also to
accept i've straight Democratic Congress.
men for the long term as an Offset to one
Liberal Republican for the long, and one
Liberal Democrat for the short term, thus
insuring 70 the straight Democracy the fed
eral patronage
If the Liberal Democrats are prepared to
answer the above questions in the affirma-
tive and / know that many will mott, then
assert that the Liberal movement will be
stamped as a stupendous fraud, and | shall
hasten to express my admiration for the sue
oesstul political strategem accomplished by
the Bourbon Democracy and their allies IN
the Liberal camp, Who have now, without
the surrender OF a single principle or the
displacement Of single standard bearer,
become the whale to destroy the Liberal
Jonah The Bourbons have accomplished
all that was worth contending for, without
hazard or cost. The bear has taken the
lamb to its shaggy name, and while It gives
fraternal hug, the lamb may cry but the
bear will be deaf, and its life will soon be
extinct
Having monopoIized the State and Con
gressional ticket, it is now seriously pro
posed, and the Picayune, German Ga-ette and
Bee will not dissent that Tax Collector
Sheridan give way for Liberal or straight
Democrat Warmoth will be accused Of
bad faith when all the supervisors Of regis
tration shall be appointed, and his claims
for the United States Senatorsbip laughed
at with derision. and the noble qualities of
the redoubtable B. f. Jonas be urged The
last door closed upon Liberal Republicans,
they must choose a dernier resort either IN
the household of opponents, or side by side
with conscientious, honorable Liberal Demo
Gratis II manly array against the Judas
Iecariots of Liberalism, and the formidable
organization of Grantism.
If Liberal Democrats can persuade them
selves TO believe that =" fair and honora-
ble7 fusion has been effected, they will
then become liable to the charge of bad
faith toward their allies, the Liberal Re-
publicans; they will produce the impression
at home that alliances with the native
whites are to be summed by the negro as
dangerous to his recognition in the govern
ment of the State, and that prejudice pre-
walls above patriotism or the desire to Sc
cure great and needed reforms; while
abroad the advocates of Grant on every
rostrum will point to the culmination of the
Liberal movement in Louisiana as fair
warning Of the folly and delusion of its
enthusiastic supporters in the nation 1t
will take years to efface the memories Of
the bitter disappointment of Liberal Re
pubHcans, while only Utopians can believe
that anything but retrograde policy will
be adopted after the success of the fusion
ticket.
The fusion ticket is monstrosity in the
makeup of candidates, and is destitute of
a defnable position or pledged policy.
Are the reforms to be accomplished of SO
vague a character that it is not necessary
that every voter should be able to read
clearly and distinctly what they are OF