New Orleans Republican., 1873-04-17


sent 10 the scene of disorder with ample
powers and instructions to secure the dis
banding of the rioters. The Metropolitan
Police force has likewise been increased,
and other precautions taken to prevent the
spread Of the spirit Of insurrection.
A candid view of the political condition
OF our State since the recent election can
no. dispute the fact that Governor Kel-
iogg has labored under great difficulties.
His willingness TO enter into any honor
able compromise which might restore the
general harmony without doing injustice
to individuals. is known 60 the leading
members Of the opposition. Indeed. 1t
leading members of which maintain that
for the party placed in poser by an un-
doubted majority to yield an. portion Of
that power to the demands of q turbulent
minority is confession Of weakness.
That the Republican party is in the ma
jority even its opponents do not dispute,
but lay their claims on technical informali-
ties in the election returns. and are en-
deavoring to maintain them by persist
ent agitation suicidal 10 the interests of
the State.
What the leaders OF the Democratic
party hope 20 accomplish by this agita-
ton it is difficult to imagine. The cleo
ton of the present State administration
has been decided to be legal by the State
and federal courts. by the President and
cratic" because the term fusion is mis-
nomer, the party assuming that title in
the recent election having been simply
the old rebel Democracy, with the acces-
sion Of Governor Warmoth, Dr.. McMillen
and few of the eX-Governor's tax gath
erers.
Violence such as they nave brought
about in Grant parish, instead of inducing
them with the coveted power, instead Of
inviting the sympathy and cooperation Of
the Northern States. can only lead 90 a
double disappointment. st home it must
put a stop to all hopes Of compromise.
and at the North its possible effect will be
to cause the interference Of the general
governmental movement which would
inevitably doom them to still longer
term of political impotence: for. as we in
timated yesterday morning. there is no
doubt that an election conducted under the
auspices of the United States military au-
thorities would result in decided Repub-
lfcan victory.
That the Republican party is altogether
blameless il our present difficulties, we do
not assert. The colosed element Of that
party has undoubtedly presumed upon its
strength. Il forms undoubtedly the ma
jority of that party, as that party does the
majority Of the State. But it should re-
member that the majority of majority
may be a minority of the whole commu-
nity as in this case it is; and that is. to
say the least, imprudent to draw the lines
so closely on the ground of color-a dis
tinction which the white Republicans
would cheerfully ignore if the colored
ones would let them. Another admission
which candor compels is that the financial
concerns of the State have fallen so com.
pletely into the control of rings that honest
creditors stand no chance whatever; and
the consequence is that the State credit is
almost destroyed. This can not, must not
continue; and we, in our duty as public
journalists, as we feel compelled to make
this admission. shall feel also compelled
to use our influence for the correction of
the evil. The Republican party, i! it
would maintain itself in power. must de-
serve to hold power, and that it may 50
deserve, it must administer that power,
firmly and honestly: with due respect for
the rights of its opponents, and even-
handed justice for the delinquencies of it's
adherents.