New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-01-08
SPEECH BY SENATOR CARPENTER.

fdence IN him Is like that which they nave
put in General Grant, justified by the
conduct of the. recipient. Senator Car
penter never faltered during the last cam
paign, nor, as for that, at any time before,
in true devotion to the Republican party
and the cause it represents. Always faith
ful to the cause of human liberty, even
when that cause was clouded with the
shadows of the rebellion, he has not yet
relaxed his fidelity, but still holds to the
faith that those who once went so fear
fully astray are not safe to be fully trusted
at present. He is in 10 hurry to again
.uncage the lion that ravaged the forest
before it was caught, simply because its
claws have been cut A mild confinement
NAV save the State, and it will not hurt
the lion.
At q meeting of the Young Mems Re
publican Club, in Milwaukee, on the
night of the thirtieth of December, in
honor of Senator Carpeuer, at which a
telegram was read from the President
toasting the distinguished Senator from
Wisconsin, Mr.. Carpenter responded in
a speech from which we propose to pub
lish some important extracts.
Senator Carpenter has singular conf
dence in the people, something after the
fashion of Abraham Lincoln, as he de-
scribes it:
OF all the lessons Taught by the late cam
paign, the most important and cQnsolatory
is the capacity Of the people Tor sehgovern-
ment.
A conspiracy entered into thirty years
ago by public men in position correspond
ing to that held by Sumner, Trumbull d
Co.. one year ago, backed by such infu-
enoes as the New York Tribune and the
Chicago Tribune, would have defeated the
best ticket ever brought into the field.
How impossible it would have been to
elect Wing denounced by Webster, Clay
and their associates as utterly unfit
and deserving of nothing but impeach-
ment for past misdoings. But times have
changed: the war was great educator;
the people now read, and think, and judge
for themselves; and neither party leaders
nor political newspapers can lead the people
astray. Indeed. party leadership, in the
sense in which Clay was leader, no longer
exists 1t is now in politics as it was in the
early church: 'And whatsoever shall be
chief among you, let him seTce" The
leader of to-day is he who follows most
the public viii, and makes most
haste to execute the solemn judgment. the
"sober, second thought of the people, which
ais always right" The people of this
were always sovereign in theory;
now they are sovereign in fact. 1t was the
great merit Of Lincoln, that he never
sought TO lead, but always TO follow public
sentiment.
The constitutional amendments, in their
effect upon the organic law of the United
States, are thus applied by the Senator
from Wisconsin, and we recommend the
distinct acceptance of subordination to
the general government as therein stated,
to the men of the South who profess that
they are unwilling to surrender State
rights, because the North still holds to
that delusion. The North has surrendered
all of its notions as to the equality Of the
States in any conflict with the general
government:
Although the South acknowledge them
selves overcome in the field and although
their State governments, on being read
mitted to the Union, ratified these amend
lnents, yet there exists widespread OPP
position to the result secured by the amend
ments, and in the late campaign some of
the ablest men in opposition TO Grant open
~ avOwed their object to be the overthrow
Of the Republican party with view to Sc |
cure the - gradual extinction OF these |
These facts may well Justify |
the apprehension that had Greeley been |
elected, and the Democratic party thereby |
been raised to power, all that the war Sc |
cured would either have been thrown away |
by direct repeal Of the amendments, or |
Irittered away by such a construction of |
them as would have rendered them of no real |
Dr. practical value. Perhaps tSis apprehen-
SION more than anything else, contributed |
to the oyerwhelming-the annihilating- |
iefeat of Mr.. Greeley. sine mere election |
Of General Grant, by & small majority, |
would have LETT this opposition to the
amendments to linger on and reappear in
,uture presidential canvass. But the ire
nendous majority given for Grant upon
his issue must end the hopes OF the disat
ected and satisfy the South that the at
enipt 10 reverse the result Of the war is
Is futile as was the attempt OF the South
o overthrow the government by war. And
, !
# sense in the South will hereafter regard
he question rs finally and forever settled;
nd that the efforts of that people will |
ereafter be directed to an adjustment of
heir affairs, and the building up of their
material interests upon the basis OF the |.
as it is. Thus peace and re-
0nciliation may be expected to result
n harmony with the amendments which
ecure the equal rights of universal man
NhNN1o IA on A a |
al, and enlarge the power of the general
0vernment as between it and the States to
o great an extent that they may be ex-
ected TO excite State jealousies and local
pposition; although it is believed that a
areful examination and consideration of
he subject will fully vindicate their neces-
ty. AT all events they have been adopted,
nj the people maniiestly intend that they
nall remain. In this condition of things
10 authorities of tho general and State
overnments are called upon to act with
rudence and circumspection in the exer-
se OF their respective powers; and after u
tile practice everything will become nd
lsted into one harmonious system, in which
re raj and State jurisdiction will be duly
'spected, and the powers of each be exer-
sed without conflict with TIE other.
Treating of our own domestic affairs
9nator Carpenter fully comprehends the
.uation in Louisiana, and is prepared to
ast an intelligent vote upon the subject
henever he is called upon to decide any
latter that concerns US. He understands ,
nat though the vote that was absolutely
turned in the last election was not sufi-
ent to elect Mr.. Kellogg, yet the vote
lat was honestly offered, but which was
shonestly refused in twenty ways, was
lough to have elected him. And he is
illing to take the will of the people, al :,