New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-05-26

n& - - - - soan11d6t1 II
Congress from the first district. As he
dischfms an scoonsctisn with OF depend
ence upon political parties, so far as his
aspirations for congressional honors are
concerned, he has resorted to pamphlet
in order that he may set forth his views Of
men and things, define his position and
place himself fairly on the track. Mr..
Gayarre paints the usual gloomy picture
of Louisiana, Impoverished by several
years sway of what he calls ''the usurped
and misapplied name of government OF
systematic and disciplined organization
for plumber, attaining its ends through
legislative and official corruption" This
sweeping ascription of all the woes, real or
imaginary, that we hear so much about,
to the State government is much easier to
state than to demonstrate. It is barely
possible that some of our Jealous politi-
clans are as wide of the mark in the dag
nosis Of our condition as in their proposed
treatment. We hold with those, be the
number great OF small, who contend that
there would be little to hope for in the
way Of relief, were we to return the gov
ernments of this State and the nation to
the rough hands that wrought SO much
mischief for the future just before the
war. The statesmen of the seventh de-
cade of this century proved their inca
pacity to do anything but ruin the coun-
try, and they were retired by the people.
The evils that resulted from their own
misdeeds are now charged by them to the
account of their successors, with the IL
lusive assurance that if the people
will give them one more trial, they will
cure them instantly.
Now, the difficulty with Us is, that we
can not credit these fattering promisers
We can not say, with any degree Of GER
tainty, that the people Of the First Con-
gressional District will be any happier or
more prosperous with Mr.. Gayarre, ripe
scholar and excellent gentleman as he I'M
doubleday is, than they would be with
some one who better understands and ap-.l
preciates the causes of the difficulty, what
ever it may be. Mr.. Gayarre is learned |
man. but we hardly think he will rate as
q first class statesman. We do not con-
tend that the latter quality is absolutely |
essential in Congressman, though it is,
perhaps, desirable. 1t is with the future
We have to deal, and hence are more con-
'erned in knowing what special pro-
visions we are to expect from Mr..
Sayarre's efforts as national legisla-
'or in case he shall be elected, than in
'eading rehearsal of past events.
The people of the First Congressional
District are vitality interested in
he currency question, the proposed
Of the mouth of the
liver; the regulation of the tariff, and
uch like practical questions. When a
nan presents himself, rolls up his sleeves,
md declares himself ready to live up to
Lord Nelson's motto, to ''do his duty"
We naturally feel some interest in knowing
What he considers his duty as member
# Congress. And when his other fine
'oint is realized, and s'none but honest
men voted into Office we desire to know
THAT else these honest men propose to do
'eside being honest. We require active
nd positive, as well as passive and mega
i've virtues. We do not doubt Mr.. Gay
RE possesses the former in high degree.
Where are his guarantees for the more in
the last named? If he can SO H.,
n conform himself to Republican prin- !
lples as to secure the confidence of that |
arty, and even obtain the nomination at
ae hands Of convention, after compel
i've examination, We shall be glad of his ,
access. But we shall withhold our vote =
ON any man who aspires to be servant
the people, and yet repudiates the idea .
being instructed by them in his lire of
uty. We want representatives to work -.
u our interests, not to undo all that has
cen done because some one else origina-
d the work.