The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-07-06
General Beauregard's Address.

pretending to question the motives VI
General Beauregard and his honorable as
sociates, in endorsing the resolutions Of
the Unification Movement,-and as we are
determined to oppose that movement to
the last and to take public stand In ranks
| hostile to the mon W bo have originated 1t,
| those who endorse it without joining it
| and those who join it without endorsing
it,-it is but fair and honorable to publish
the address of the General to tue People
of Louisiana. That address will be found
in another column. 1t speaks for itself
and for General Beauregard. We have
formed our opinion oft. Here it is.
| That address 10 argumentative,-ex-
plauatory and apologetic.
AS an argumentit is very lame.
AS an explanation it is more lame.
AS an apology it is most lame.
The end of the movement is the moral,
social and political salvation of Louisiana.
Those gentlemen of the new movement
have come to the conclusion that Louisiana
is sick unto death morally, socially, mat
erially, politically. They constitute them
selves the ply sicians of the dying patient.
They are sure of their own skill and power.
They have q patent medicine, which II
administered in huge doses will revive the
the dying state. Their intentions are
charitable. They themselves are absolute
~ free from this general moral, social and
political disease of their own people. The
| end they have in view does them henor,-
the quick and total cure of sick Louisiana.
Their prescription is as desperate as the
| TI.;G IT,,
this widespread moral and political malady
they wish to bring together all who are
affected by it! "The means to attain this
end" the General argues, -''consist in a
candid and frank acknowledgment of
constitutional and legal facts which none
can deny and the onformity Of oar con-
duct to these facts.
So General Beauregard and his new
found associates accept all the accomplish
ed facts which pretend to be constitutional
and legal-and endorses these facts by con-
forming to them. AS Catholic, General
Beauregard cannot do that without deny
ing an article in the Syllabus of Plus the
IL. AS Southern gentleman lie cannot
do that save ut the cost of Principle. His
argument is, when the state says anything
is legal and constitutional, the General, in
spite of his conscience as Catholic ana
in spite of his legitimate sentiments as a
Southern map,-and in spite of his princi-
Piles as freeman, shouts Amen. But not
only he shouts Amen,-but he conforms
his conduct to everything that is made
legal and constitutional,-no matter how
false and wrong and oppressive these
things may be. It is false philosophy
false theology, and false politics. Accord
ing to the Generals logic whatever is made
by the state legal and constitutional no
matter how wrong, must be accepted as
a rule of conduct for all. That is the
, argument of despotism aud the logic of
slaves. Is not wrong legalized in Louisiana,
moral wrong and political wrongf Is
not oppression constitutionalized in Lou
siana7 Has not this ruined Louisiana
But it is legal and constitutional. There
fore General Beauregard accepts and con-
forms his conduct to the very facts that
have ruined Louisiana in order that he
may save Louisiana The principle Of
Louisiana's death he regards as the princi-
pie of Louisiana's life The General blames
the people Of Louisiana as being them
selves the cause of the bitter hostility of
the Colored People. We thought that
Northern Adventures were the cause of
that. So thought the General once. He
has changed his opinion. But facts are
not so easyily changed. The Address, as an
explanation of lis connection with the new
movement, is creditable, to say the least,
to the Generals disinterestedness. He
expects no emolument and desires no of
flee. AS the New Party has, as yet, no
Office to give, it is the part of a wise man
not to set his desires on any Office. If the
New Party should, in the course of time,
have any emoluments to dispose of we
hope that the desire of the General will be
honored and that none will be offered to
him. 81 surrender no principle, "-he says.
We are right glad of that. We hope thatit is
a mere political play, in wSich as an actor,