New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-28
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

LII IS peculiarly matter OF regret at this
iuncture that there should be divisions in
the Republican party. At no time has i,
had stronger motives for adherence. Never
before has it been so tiercely assailed or
more concentrated efforts made for its
destruction.
In view of these admitted facts it is
useless to deny that it will require all the
power Of resistance the party is capable of
employing to encounter and succeed in
this struggle. The fabulous condition in
which the party is found is still more APP
parent when the reflection is made that
personal antagonism, and not political
fealty, separates the members of the party
It is individual interests, not local or
national necessities, that occasions this
lack of unity. Those, therefore, who per-
sist in it must choose between the gratii-
cation of their personal spite and the III
tegrity of the party.
On every side of us, and throughout the
State, the enemies of Republicanism are
organizing for the conflict They
assert, in connection with their political
theories the most liberal ideas of govern
ment. The doctrines embraced in the
principles of reconstruction are accepted
as incontrovertible facts, and past issues
are modified by our opponents to suit the
emergencies OF the present time.
In the face Of these vast exertions for
our undoing the Republican party is ell
gagged in wrangling and disputes. This,
to put the objection in the mildest Ian
guage, is unwise. Our opponents are not
without that element which has nearly
proved so fatally injurious to u.s. There
is personal ambition mingiing with their
desire for political ascendency. The
spirit Of opposition has given rise to two
distinct parties. 1t remains with us to
determine whether the strife for the as
tendency shall keep them apart. They
have strong grounds of antagonism. and
this in time may prove insuperable.
The Democratic party, the outgrowth
of slavery, and its persistent defender, is
unable to forget its antagonism to the
negro. The Acknowledgement of the
colored race it regards as premature. if
not Illegal. The laws which confer the
rights of citizenship it holds to be subject
to repeal, even to the extent of annul!ing
the constitutional amendments. In the
degree that it considers the State govern
ment Of louisiana usurpative, it practically
ignores all the laws it has passed. includ-
ing the civil rights bill. With these doc
trines superadded to the abstract and
material issues which, for nearly two
thirds Of a century, have characterized its
history, the Democratic party arrays itself
in antagonisn to the Republican organize
ton, and seeks the overthrow Of tie gov
eminent it has established
Not caring to identify themselves with
all the bad principles Of the Democratic
party, the Reformers, composed of mate
rial recently Democratic have modified
their views, and seek the destruction of
the Republican party by means more in
sidious, and possibly more effective.
They recognize ali the acts Of cur party
since Il came into power accept the po-
litical franchise it has conferred on the
colored man, but revive the principles of
-he rebellion by arraying section against
section. They deny that tie Republican |
party has q right to select rulers else |
there than among the old proprietors Of
-he soil. This is eminen:ly ail aristocratic |
party, and answers admirably to the Old
regime. 1t is willing for the colored man
% vote, but he must vote for his old mas
.ef' They concede he is no longer a slave,
personal chattel, but political self,
'on' -ortlng TO their advancement now as
huch as his toll once contributed to their
realtll
ms We submit, is a II Interpretation
u Tue purposes and aims OF the rolitical
parties now eontending for ascendency in
he State But, notwithstanding the great
Ianger they threaten, the leaders Of the
republican party are engaged in political
disputes. It should not be the case 7.