New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-10-29
DEFENDING THE,ARPET BAGaERs.

! OhI onOAN0 LIZA ,dn14A D6UOAh0s
There is a good Zeal Of justice in the
following from the Washington National!
Republican:
| Governor Washbun, Of Wisconsin, has
allowed himself to be misled by the mis-
| statements and lies Of the Southern Conser-
| vative and Democratic press to such an ex-
| tent that he has ben guilty OF what the
| enemies of the government Characterize as an
important admission" In q speech which
| he delivered at Fond lu Lac not long ago,
| he said: 'Candor sompels me to say that the
| South generally has leen terribly accursed
by al inroad of adve1turers from the North.
South Carolina, Loui,iana and Florida are
absolutely ruined ythem: and there is no
hope for either of those States but TO rub out
and begin anew" If Governor Washburn
had studied the history of reconstruction
days in the South as closely as man OF his
prom inence in the Republican party should
have done, he would not have made such an
assertion. The truth is that the norma
tives of the Southern States, az carpet bag
gers are now euphOni0usly called, present a
showing as regards intelligence, honesty
and patriotism which en- titles them to rank
way above the average native Southern
politicians. In the States alluded to by
him not single Republican is now in Office
who Is liable to charges of corruption which
have been weeded out of the party.
We're the account ot good and evil De.
tween che so-eallei carpet baggers and .he
Southern States fdrly balanced. there
:r"'1'': - found q handsome cral:.i. -. IL.
- o. ,l":.. G.:ls",! Slas.. ~ tn
outs. :. .... :..... Y.i.e La,e 70 include
in the bad list the names of Republicans
Of seve n! years residence: they were
called scallawags. and by many esteemed
worse. if pc ssib!e. tlan . genuine carpet
Dagger. But it was found there we're too
many influential men among them to make
this paying business. and so the scala
vas class. never very sharply defined.
came at las. to be tolerated. especially by
those who were in search OF an Office or
contract. But the resident of a shorter
period. not finding himself in q strong
position TO be OF much service, and rs a
general rule in the habit Of first looking out
for himself before he vas ready or willing to
help others, found but few to defend him.
Besides. by constant repetition. their
names became familiar to the people. and
inquiry was set on foot TO find gu. what
dreadful! things these carpe:-bagsers
had done. And then it came out
that they had gone among the
colored people. treated them as human
beings. spoken them fax and solicited
their votes. which were given to them in
preference to the ''scns of the SOIL as
they sentimentally called themselves.
Now. j. is impossible 10 establish per-
maneu: BAD reputation upon such srail
foundation. The law has clothed the col
ored people with the right 10 y voice in
the selection OF their rulers. and nature
prompts them to prefer their friends to
ayoweli enemies. There are doubtless
eases where the srus. OF the voter has been
betrayed. and tie good name Of the party
dragged into disrepute by wicked men
whe have succeeded in securing their
election or appointment: to lucrative md
responsible offices. GIt this raises
question between the Delinquent and
those who voted !or him. Our obse.va-
ton teaches rs also that the so.called car.
are but little if any worse in
this sespec; than any other class.
so far, however. from this being cause
OF complaint among the Democracy they
should be glad o! it. For il sometimes
happens tina. one unpopular Republican is
rejected by our voters. and his Democratic |
opponent chosen. especially il the latter j!
happens to be q deceu: fellow. which is !
sometimes the case. and thus the great
cohesive principle Of our enemies, Office
holding, is temporarily secured TO a scion |
of its great following. We take it that 2 |
bad Republican IN Office is no more dis
tasteful to the average Democratic, poll
ticiap than q good one. His gries in |