New Orleans Republican., 1873-07-03

from the Cleveland Leader. June 21
Louisiana politics are just now in state
of transition The discOrd and anarchy of
tie past six years have wrought some
strange changes there, and have moulded
the political clements Of the State INTO con-
GitiOn for new combinations which even
year ago would have seemed impossible.
General Grants firm and decided Iecogni-
ton of the Kellogg government at the final
moment put a timely though perhaps tenn
porary stop to the ANARCHY that had pre-
vailed throughout the winter. and gave
both con:erding parties an opportunity to
view the situation calmly, and appreciate
the desperate pass to which the condition
of the State lad come. Whatever OF justice
or Injustice there was in the DureN
decision. the action Of the admins
tration ,as. spring enforced ten
porary peace. Since then, the CONDITION
prove TIE Ccltax massacre has produced
a reaction. and the last-diteh men ind
themselves in minority. The latest and
most im mportant OutgrOwth OF this transl-
ton state OF politics has been what, Tor
wan. Of a more definite title, has been
called thus far the Beauregard party. The
history Of this movement may be SIMPLY
stated, and some knowledge OF it will De
essential to correct understanding OF the
SITUATION. E1GUtIGl I'D tuO 1OAUOA
of the old wealthy, Creole element OF New
Orleans By birth and education gentle
man, bv record loyal SOutherner and
brave soldier, he is besides all this a man OF
unbiem; shed integrity. He is leading rail
wav manager, and has an influential voice
in all local affairs The Creole element fol-
low him as the people of France followed
the Little Corporal during the early days
Of this century. Representing, as he
does, so much OF the wealth and
intelligence of New Orleans. Cen
a political influence which go lar as it ex-
tends is almost absolute. just as the atrocl-
ties of the whites in the Colfax massacre
had reacted with their full force upon the
popular mind of Louisiana, 1t CHANGED that
General Kosecrans, returning from Mexico,
passed through New Orleans. The situation
was in it's darkest hour. Men Of all parties
were disgusted and discouraged. The hero
of Stone river and General Beauregard sat
down together and talked over the condl-
ton Of the State. Rosecrans argued that
Louisiana could only be saved by her own
people, BY popular movement which
should bury the anita gOnisms OF the past,
and unite men upon the broad ground OF
equal rights.
A few weeks later the congressional ex-
cursion party stopped in the midst of its
tour at New Orleans. Its presence was a
sign to the people of the city that they had
not been forgotten. The Congressman
talked encouragingly. and the moral effect
of the visit was to stimulate the new move
ment which is now blossoming into full
vigor. The Beauregard party surpasses in
liberality even the Republicans Of the
North. It advocates their free admission
to hotels, churches, theatres and all places
of public amusement. More than this it ad-
yocates co-educa1iOn, no separate schools
for black and white. 1t admits negroes 70
boards of trade, directorships IN banks and
other corporations, in short. sweeps away
at a blow the whole list Of petty discrimi-
nations which have kept the blacks de-
graded in business circles and politics. Such
a party with man like Beauregard
at its head, is an anomaly il the South.
How far it's influence will extend beyond
the bounds Of Louisiana it is, Of course, too
soon to predict. 1t is, however, the new
topic OF discussion throughout the South,
and is creating new political lines IN Ala
bama, Mississippi and other Gulf States.
The sensible part OF the Southern men see
that the party which controls the colored
vote will rule the South. Since they can
not win the negroes from Republicanism by
threats or strategy, they have set out 70
capture them by granting every right and
priyilege that the cOlored men demand. Ii
| the movement succeeds in Louisiana it will
doubtless spread to other States. If it fails,
| if Marks and the other ieutenante of Beau
regard desert him, he will have nothing lef!
| but to 90 over with his Creoleiand other fol
| lowers to Republicanism, and make that
party stronger and more honest that it has
ever been in Louisiana before. In any event
| the situation is vast improvement upon
! that OF two months ago Louisiana has
| touched bottom. Her own people are be-
coming willing to stop duarreling and work
! together to redeem the State. Unless some
| thing is done to attract Northern enterprise
and capital the restoration If Louisiana
will be slow. The people are Impoverished
| Lands which in other years were valuable
are to-day almost valuelese. The riches
| sugar farms within a hundred miles OF New
| Orleans can be purchased for $40 an acre
| Whenever the reaction fully sets III and
| Northern capitalists see chance tor IN
vestments there will be a movement south
ward, those neglected plantations will bt
picked up and the day for which the patlen'
people have SO SO long waited will come
Governor Kellogg is gradually winning hi:
way 70 public confidence. He proposes
reduction Of taxes, and he is regularly pay
ing interest on the legitimate public debt
He has cut down expenditures, and prom
ises strict honesty in his administration
With this advantage the Beauregard party
begins its career under altogether favorable
| auspices. Its future will be watched as tn
most interesting of all recen: Political proo
| lens in tie South.