The weekly Louisianian., 1874-08-15
md reality of our Repubbllieanism.

and reality o'our Repubieanism.
u We must depend mainly upo
the conditions. supplied by the Re
publican partyof the Union and 6
the State fox the securement Of
just Judgement upon our action
and the attainment Of our aspira
tons in knowledge, wealth, and al
the rights and immunities that per
tain to tho srsffragans under a re
public. But il, need be, that the ex
igencies of our race shall originate
demands, unmet by any simple par
ty agencies, we must subordinate
party ends to patriotic purposes
and depend on God and ourselves,
and tho charities and justice OF a
public opinion to which parties
bow, and which, despite. the parti-
Fan, eleyates the citizen.
A campaign vitalized by the fur damon
tai problem which I have discussed, and
further enhanced by the ordinary party
interests put in issue on the occasion o1
every general election, is before US, and
and rendered arduous. and difficult, not
only by the presence Of q concentrated
proscriptive and bitter opposition from
without which opposition to be overcome
will tax the discretion, the unity, the
nerve, and e~ndurancosof Repubiicanism to
tho utter1aost- but hya division and strife
within our ranks which must he promptly
met, lest it become uh~inanegcable, and
must be, once for oil, intelligently under
stood, and upon the broad principles
Of party integrity and individual justice,
decisiyely settled, r else with its work
incomplete and its mission unfinished,
;Republicanis,n in Louisiana must loseits
supremacy and its usefulness;
III this connection. you will not expect
nc to discuss tie ordinary issues that
come up-mc1e directly pending the cam
paign, between tho Republican and anti
Republican forces Of the State; but mere
particularly and fearlessly to point out the
clements Of weakness and danger, as the
same exist in the contest AID heartburn
ings between the representative White md
colored leaders Of the perty,; "..'. A..
It will be found that this difference and
antagonism originate from certain preva-
lent misapprehensions, which fidelity to
the party 10 less than TO the co1ored and
whito voters, demands should be frankly
that they may be subsequently cor
|
There Is "a mistaken conception preve- :
lent relative to the Easis of II fealty as a
race to the Republican party. BecauseI
said party clamrioned ocr rights in on.
hours, AID comrnssed them, We
stand tie acknowledged grateful bcnehei-
'ries, Of Republicanisn,. 49,. /
If this alone were the ground Of our par
y allegiance the conclusion, reached BY
he white men who fought or labured for
'ur political no less than personal e~nfran-
that they and they alone were
ntitled to our confidence, might be con-
idered legitimate, end the feeling Of gra-
itude alone would impell the colcred cit
zen to give le1ge margin and long tenure
. the white men who have served us with
onnscl and guidance; but We would be
'laced, on such q supposition, in a position
either c-saitable, to our intelligence, in
nor honesty. But this is not
whole truth, nor even the most impor-
INT truth to be considered in understand
'g the grounds Of our political afiliation ,
) a people. !,
We forget no ~favors; We repudiate no
Dligat:ons +; but Oh citizens in fact and l
nth, and not in name, Our party e~ssecia- t
ons proceed not mainly upon so honor i
lie o, sentiment Rs even gratitude, but +
pom tie mora crediteb.e and permanent
isis Of honest conviction. We nre Re. /
nblicans, and adhere to the Republican
'ganization, not upon the ground that it t
IS served us, hut upon the broader basis Il
at it is the party of progress; that il has q
It only done q great work in the redemp- Il
of a race, but its principles are SO c
Dad, liberal and JUST, that it is able to do II
/ equally great work for the nation; d
ID if there were no hvors bestowed-u
th our intelligent convictions rnchang- "
we should be Republicans still il
in the party in Louisiana D
~ not be safely and wisely, conceded to r.
y class for favors. real or supposed, but b,
ust DO given and accorded where com q,
teney and fidelity demand its bestov- $,
ent.1S'f 81 ''.H II 1o1
Still another prevalent error obtains rel u.
We to the temper and conduct of the q,
Iozed masses when they-competency W
nceded-select leadership trom rcpre- fu
men Of their own race. The ii
provement Of the colored peopls as o.
element is most satisfactorily
need when they claim and wisely exer- b,
Q the right Of private judgment on the d,
Liticnl issues Of tho day; and this of