New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-07-10
TRUE CONSERVATISM.

L S"~~S~" eeee~-'
/ One has only to read the conflict Q
doctrine which breaks out whenever al
anti-Republican rally is called to see tina
there's no unity Of principle in any sucl
combination. The Democratic party pro
poses to place its name at the head of tn
firm. It will allow any other parties O
persons to contribute their capital in com
mendam, or as sleeping partner, but de
clines to allow them any share in thu
business conduct of the concern. Sucl
! is our reading Of the Democratic Contra
Committees address. This programme
by no means suits all the opposition. 1
man acts on political principle
he naturally wishes to know the
programme of Democracy. 1t has
none. Having lost all the discipline o.
Uniform doctrine it is bushwhacking in
each State and district, each candidate in
favor Of or against those cardinal prin.
ciples of federal government which once
made Democracy the representative of a
distinct constitutional sentiment. When,
therefore, an intelligent voter is asked to
join this party he wishes naturally to
know whether be will thereby increase or
reduce the duties on imports, whether he
assents to reduction or increase Of paper
circulation, to gift grabs of public lands,
to a stupendous system Of internal i'm.
provements by the federal government or
to repeal Of the reconstruction acts. We
say men who vote on principle wish to
know precisely where they stand Oh those
questions. 1t is impossible for the
little Democratic club of Louisiana
with but six Or seven votes in
the Democratic National Convention, to
answer These principles are to be
fixed by the States of New York, Ohio,
Pennsylvania and Illinois. Persons, then,
joining the Democratic party here, can
have no guarantee of principle. 1t is for
this reason that the old Wings feel under
no obligation to contribute to a victory
which solves nothing and settles nothing.
So much for those who are asked to unite
with the Democratic party on principle
The appeal to that class which sincerely
wishes an improved condition Of public
affairs, 10y the selection of the most CON-
petent men; and the adoption OF the most
suitable measures, is equally vain. At
this point, the Democratic leaders will,
in the improbable case of victory, ex-
plain the terms of alliance. "You have"
they will say, contributed nobly to the
success of the Democratic cause by
filing in under its banner, and showing
thereby your appreciation of the sound
ness of its doctrine and the worth
of its men, but it is not usual for subor-
dinate allies to assume any part in deter
mining the results of victory. European
volunteers or warriors of the Indian tribes
who fought in the la te war never claimed
such right. We will distribute to you
such medals and memorials of your po-
litical valor as we may deem fit; we shall
assign to you such employment or COM
pensation as may be due according to our
opinion of your deserts, but you will
please remember that this is the victory
of the States rights Democratic party Of
louisiana and it claims the exclusive
right to dispose of the fruits of that VIC
tory" 1t is scarcely necessary to observe
that q nlacard will he hrno mt At tho
marquee Of these victorious generals. ''No
colored applicants for Office admitted.
True conservatism, then, consists in
a circumspect inquiry into the character
and purposes of those with whom persons
of undecided political affiliations deter
mine temporarily to act. The lamentable
conglomeration Of all who wanted Office
made the last campaign one of great
disaster to the State. 1t was formed upon
a supposed political influence which had
been held responsible for the debt and
debasement of the State. Its obvious re-
suits were fraud and armed conflict.
Prudent men intend to keep out Of such
in future. Let them make
experiment of the Republican ncmina-
tons. The principles of Republicanism
having been established, let its candidates
for office conform to its high antecedents,
aud then conservatism will be found to
consist in supporting the Republican
ticket.