New Orleans Republican., 1873-05-28
THEKECEss1TY OF SELF ASSERTION.

men are beginning to appreciate Tue I'LL
portance of popular support Of the laws.
That they are alive to the necessity OF
unfolding the hands Of the administra-
ton. Experience has shown us in all ages
of the world that the officers Of the law
are entirely powerless to accomplish
| anything without the countenance ana
support of the populace. Laws are passed
to protect the rights OF the citizen. but ne
| must do his duty as well as the officers.
r. n burglar breaks into house he lncurs
| a liability of punishment. But unless the
citizen comes forward and makes com
| plant, assists the officers in the arrest II
| need be, follows him up and testihes
| against him, the police magistrate can
do nothing. Suppose case: A burglar
is caught in the very &C. of breaking into
a house. The owner remains very quiet
| until he has got all he wants, and goes
away, or until the policemen has caught
him. The criminal is arraigned before
the recorder and the witness sent for.
When be arrives at the police court, he
finds the offende, surrounded by swell
mob Of sympathizers, the sight OF which
| frichtens him. When called to the
stand, and sworn to tell the truth, he
looks at the threatening bystanders. COW
ers like craven, and begins to tell the
recorder either that he has not been
robbed at all, OF that the man in the dock
certainly did not do il. Of course. the
prisoner is released, and the man who was
| robbed goes out into the streets and COM
plains that there is no law. If he will ex-
anime himself closely. he will find that he
has failed on account Of his own want Of
courage. .
This fear Of public opinion has b; IN
great evil in this State for many years. 1t
has controlled our legislatures. our courts Of
justice, our newspapers, our merchants, our
churches and even our charitable institu-
tons. The public opinion which has thus
been exerted 10 the injury Of the whole
community has been generally 1aanufac-
tured 20 order by aggressive, violent men
TO serve their personal interests. The
remedy lies in striking al the fountain
head, and attacking the enemy in his
stronghold. The little prejudices that
have been ascribed 10 whole people
should be confined to the private indi-
viduals who entertain them. The Repub-
licans owe it 20 themselves 20 Manutac.
ture public opinion as well as their oppo-
nents, and quite as much man for man.
They being the more numerous in the
State. il follows that they would be soon
able to assume controlling position on a
field heretofore neglected
Mr.. Burch evidently comprehends the
obvious advantages of such action. At
the Mechanics Institute meeting he de-
clared it time fos colored men who hold
lucrative offices Ito come to the 'front.'. TO
which be might have added that it is the
duty Of all Republicans. white and coll
ored, to sustain. them in this assertion of
their party. We are glad 20 see that our
colored friends begin to recognize the
necessity that exists for them 70 assis: in
the work of their own protection. Amia-
bility is good trai: in mems characters,
bu. it may be carried too fer. Combat
tiveness was given tc US for self-defense,
and il, Ike everything else, has been Gre
ated for some good purpose. Nothing, We
are told, has been made in vain. Mr.. Burch
further says: ''It is criminal in US to sit
down and let the white Republicans fight
cur battles for u.s." Every manly co!ored
voter il the State will admire and respond
to this noble sentiment II shows that at
least one re. resentative man. and We be-
lieve there are thousands like him in this
State, recognizes his duty 10 assist the
small band Of white Republicans who are
ever ready TO in.erpose their lives. if nee
essary. between the colored race and its
vengeful enemies. For their heroism and
success they have been denomirated by
the Democracy scallawags and carpet
baggers, and some Of our colored friends
have occasionally. without giving the sub.
ject due consideration. adopted the nomen-
clature and furnished their oppressors
with aid for their own discontinue.
Now. scalawag, in the rebel sense
O: the term. is simply an old
resident Of this State who dares
TO contend for ;he rights Of the col
ored man to the extent Of his ability ard
means. The carpet-bagger, according to
the same lexicon. is one who has come to
the State more recently. bu. has exercised
his right Of opinion by remaining a Re-
publican. 1t will be seen, then, that the
essential ingredient CT either is Repub-
licanism. and that their political opinions
and actions form the foundation Of their
oifense.
This movement of the leading colored
men and the very sensible speeches Of
Messrs. Burch. lng1aham and Chester
are cheering evidences that powerful
aux .liary 10 the white Republicans is about
to come to the front and assert itself in
the right place and in the most effective
manner. Our laws and the usages Of the
party treat the colored people !
as men. and j; but remains :or them TO |
show themselves such on all proper ccca-
sions to pm: an end 70 all their political
troubles. 4 minority of white men is
usually able 20 assert its rights. and there |
is 10 reason Why majority. composed o:
white and colored. can not do the same.
Bu!. then, they must. make an effort &C. |