New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-07-06


of their political obligations. and their
duty to their fellow citizens, as to manifest
an utter disregard of the public welfare
by refr aiming from the performance of
their public obligations Such persons
have no more right to complain of the evil
political tendencies of the day and Of the
perils by which the nation is surrounded,
than the crew of a gallant ship who should
refuse to do duty when summoned TO keep
watch and ward or to work the pumps
when the gale was straining every timber
and threatened to engulf them in the abyss
Of waters.
The absence of registered voters from
the polls has been the source of so much
mischief and misgOvernment, and is preg-
nant with such great future danger that
none can tell to where it will lead us. No
one can excuse himself for apathy TO our
political condition without cOnvicting him
self of criminal insensibility to his own in
terest and the fate of the republic.
He is not fit to be a member OF self
governing and free community like our
own, who, as a constitutional voter, does
not discharge the full measure Of his du-
ties, among the first of which in Importance,
in my opinion, is the regular and discrim-
mating use of the right Of suffrage. Why,
my friends, have you ever considered the
value of the ballot box2 The people of
out the world by their progress in inven-
ton and the eminently practical ends which
their discoveries subserye. Above all the
other inventions which they have brought
into existence for the benefit of mankind,
the ballOt-bOx, however, stands pre-emi-
nent. 1t is the most truly rational and
peaceful instrument ever yet devised for
the peoples use when they wish their pO-
litical condition altered, or their public
servants changed. What could be more
simple in its character, or what so admira-
bly, adapted to the ends proposed. If gov
eminent is established for the good of soci-
ETY., and power is delegated only for that
end, there should be no obstacles of either
force or fraud TO prevent the people from
saying how affairs should be governed, or
who shall be entrusted with that power.
This is the theory of republican govern
ment, and as it is illustrated in our country
the theory has not only sustained itself for
century, but every additional test at the
ballOt-bOx proves the wisdom of the means
adopted to reach the ends proposed. Why,
look at it as it was exhibited at the last
presidential election before the war of the
rebellion. Over thirty millions of people
were then engaged in the duty of choosing
the individuals into whose hands they de-
sired to entruRt the management of ma
ti0nal affairs, leaving each individual to
pursue in his own way the management Of
his own.
In this, as in every other matter con
nected with human affairs, there was,
necessarily, a difference of opinion, result |
ing from different views of public policy |
and knowledge, more or less perfect of |
individual character and ability. But that |
difference suggested no interference with a /
free choice through the ballot-bOx of every |
man, with the determination to make his |
choice freely, aud peacefully abide the is |
sue. An election with him was a matter Of |
business. He had taeitly entered into an |
agreement with the rest Of his fellOw-citi-
zens that the choice of government officers
should be made in that way, and he was
content that the majority should decide it.
Well, the majority decided, the result was
almost an entire change of government !
lfficers, if not public policy. The ballot
BOX has settled it all quietly and thoroughly
No civil cOmmOtiOn, no violence, no armed
bodies of men anywhere to repress public
opinion by force; 10 sacrifice of human
ives, which attend every political reEOlu
ion in nearly every either country of the
,lObe; no burning Of houses; none of the
.riRats which riot, turbulence. and none
# the miseries which succeed such crimes.
Where on the face of the earth, in view of
ike circumstances. except in the United
states, can such spectacle of moral grand
ire be presented-wGere else such self-im-
,Osed restraint; where else such subjugatiOn
# the individual to the general wish pre-
-ailing an entire nation Where else,
theoretical government, based on mans
moral and intellectual capacity, so truly
nd BEAUTIFULLY exempliHed in the practice
f people, and where else practical phi
DsOphy conducting so effectually and GER.
ainly to national interest and individual
God. There is not country in the world
yhere political changes are managed with
be simplicity and the quiet that they are
D the United States; not another in which
be change effected in the presidential cleo
ions so certainly and peacefully would not
ave cOnvulsed the country from one end
B the other, destroyed confidence, and
therwise interfered with the general well
are. But the ballot box is the political in
ention which the American has devised to
ave all this disorder. as he has the inven-
on of railroads. steamboats,, telegraphs,
nd machinery, to save him vast amount
f physical labor. The invention itself re-
calls the high capacity of his nature and
,lfreliant character, as the uuerring work
Y of the instrument proves how admirably
1apted it is to his political condition and
Overnment.
FeIlow-eitizens, have thus given you
lpid preface of our obligations as citizens,
with some general ideas of our
BOD and great men; but especially have l
ade reference, in a general way, to the
ay we celebrate, and l suppose that to this
asst audience much of it does not come up
their expectations, therefore l shall be
ore simple and plain in the balance of my
alton. For, my friends, in view of the
laracter of this audience, deem it mat
r Of responsibility resting upon me to give
lu a brief synopsis of the historic events
lat superindueed the PRONUNCIATION of the
,s1In nf he nf nd /
4, and which, through the victory of
boSrefathers, are incorporated as the
canetone of our republic. We all know
Jan1es country began. A few families
lowed in ;, the sea and settled on the
settIed on IN tue South, and were fol-
North The Ix years by party who
many bardsbinse of Cape Cod, at the
became settled 'uers suffered great
were under the Enghter while things
Canadas are now, and 1o-ca-leu ooiol. nee
they were prosperous. IniL IA 40 [,o Wy
understanding among them5 Ja5
with the British government $50
and fishermen worked hard az ~ f.. alSo
comfortable living. They were SJ
dustriOus3 resolute, religious, and 4ue q
their own business. III
The people of the colonies. of New w
ana pennsylvania, were much alike in in
Ierest and habits as their New England
trends Iron and coal, the material wealth
OF these colonies, hid undisturbad in their
mountains while agriculture and commerce
We're their chiefpursuits. Furtherso south were
Virginia: Delaware. Maryland, Georgia and
the Carolinas Their interests were not ma
5eFlally different from the rest of the country.
me people were from a different European
I~loek' TO be sure, aud had different WAYS
peflpanners from those Of the North. and
tnce in the soil and climate had some inhu-
prlslng, butqg them less hardy and enter
hu around. TRdshlp and union prevailed