Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-12-06
WORDS OF WARNING.

commenting at greater length upon two
very important and significant articles
which have lately appeared in organs of
the highest rank in the Republican party,
one circulating largely throughout the
Union and the other in Louisiana and 9th
er Southern States the Washington Re-
public and the New Orleans Republican.
The article from the Republic which is adj
dressed to the Republican party generally,
and Southern Republicans partinlarly is
headed. Elect your best men to Office, and
goes on to point out the inevitable i'll re-
suits which must ensue to the party if this
advice is neglected. Honesty and capabiH
ty it insists are indispensable requisites, aud
here We would take the opportunity OF
asking what regard has been paid to these
qualifications Tor rather to the latter one,
for as We have repeatedly said before, hon
esty is not to he looked for in politics) here
in Rapides or in Louisiana generally, where
men have been sent to the Legislature.
who when they returned, and were ques-
toned rs to what they had done could
tell nothing else except that they drared
their pay and had good time generally,
whilst Others elected to offices which re-
quired business qualifications, and clerkly
| capacity, could not even with copy before
them, write ten consecutive lines either or
Geographically or dramatically, TO say
nothing Of legibility.
Such policy AZ this the Republic contends
will not only bring any party who practi-
ces or permits it, into contempt but even
tually most certainly and properly destroy
it. Such reasoning and advising is not
confined to the Republic, but is to be found
in almost any influential Republican jour-
nal in the Union and is evidently producing
an effect upon Others who have hitherto
appeared to think that if man was, or
called himself a Republican, other objec-
tions might he all overlooked.
We come now to the article from the New
Orleans Republican which we reproduced
last week, and it is only necessary to copy
again some portions ut it to show how for.
chilly the writer has presented the views
which we always entertained and express
ed in our editorials and conversation, that
whilst color caste or previous condition
should lie no bar to any one holding an Of
flee to which he was otherwise qualified, all
or no one of them should be- recommen.
dation as is frequently proved to be the
case. We had intended only again quoting
a sent nee OF two here and there from the
Republicans article, but on reading it
again we found the whole Of the two last
paragraphs SO filed with irresistible ar
guments and incontrovertible though cut-
ting facts, that we give them entire, itali-
cIzing those words or sentences which ex
press tine truth most plainly. though in
deed all is plain and to the point, hits the
nail squarely on the head, drives it home
and clinches it most inextricably:
Nor is the warning conveyed i'm these de-
feats addressed tn the leaders alone. hut
through it runs whisper to which all Re-
pnblicans may well give heed, and especi-
ally the col0red element Of the party here
in Louisiana. They hare been freed, eptian-
chised. and prorided Nth legal protection BY
the solepaaify of constitutional provisions en-
acted especially in their behalf The nation
has done its duty by them, tardiiy il is true,
bat thoroughly. Nothing more can be done BY
Legislative enactment or executive Influence.
Only time and edacafioR, and the gradual effect
Of tried and approred merit on their part,
br nging the natural change of sentiment TO-
rdrd them that necessarily springs from smch
causes. can produce sHck an Incorporation Of
butte to the advantage Of both itself and society
in general. IN the meanwhile the colored man
must improre himself (he has the same opporfa-
mites of importing as his whfe feiiow-citizens),
drop the question of color as a political open
sesame 10 advancement for whick he may be
unfit BE- Satisfied. in short Wih perfect political
and GIRL eqnaIify. and such social consideration
az he can gradually ackiere. Politically, too,
il would be well for him to recognize the
fact that although in some localities his
vote is essential to the success of the Re-
publican party. yet to that party he owes
the fact that he has the power to vote at
all that his rights in til, future will de-
pend i'm great degree upon its continued
success, and that he great victory of rin-
ciple by which he acquired that power was
gained by great sacrifices.
The attitude of protection though pleasant IL
tiresome. The strongest sacimmer can uphold
a dSorRiRg man for limited time only. after |
that he must either land him or sink with him.
After having landed him, and rest ored him
to consciousness il wonld seem rather hard |
to be required tO bear him on his shoulders |
forever afterward. There is time when |
work must be considered done, and in the |
opinions of large numbers If zeelous, free
dom loving Republicans all over the conn., |
try. the initial work of their party in he
half at the colored people of this country |
is done now. They want to undertake |
SOME fresh enterprise, i'm the doing of
which the assistance ofthe nations wards"
will I've welcome and even counted upon |
with some degree Of certainty. For those |
who have themselves received great brne-
fits should be willing, ON fitting occasions,
to help others.
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