New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-04-12
PA RTY.

PARTY.
According to Webster, "party" signifies
in one sense, "a number of persons unitet
by some tie." And for our purpose, it is IL
mode of governing, the "tie' that unitet
political parties.
Primarily, politics is difference Of opin
ion between the bona fde citizens of 9
country.
Difference Of opinion antics the repre-
>sentatives of particular theory or princi-
pie into parties, particular bodies or asso
Citations, for the grand purpose of unity Of
action, in the teaching and propagation OF
the doctrine, faith or principle taught by
themselves. The earnestness of the teach
ers and advocates Of the theory or princi.
pies advanced, is scrutinized and analyzed
by the people, and as the acts of the teachers
are in cOnsonance with their doctrine or
teaching, the number of believers or sup
porters are increased, till, finally, the
stronger or most accepted authority, alb
serbs the whole, or is only combatted by a
minor portion of the whole. Especially is
this the case in politics.
Politics, then, is only a difference of opin-
ion, and that opinion which is adopted by
the greatest number becomes the rule of
government that binds great party. And
this great party, in this country, is the
Republican party, which now holds, by
virtue of the fundamental law, the helm of
State, and steers the government. This
party is held by a grand principle, tie"
which reaches from the st. Johns to the
Rio Grande, from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Politically speaking, then, difference Of
opinion relates to our mode or form of gov
eminent, and the manner in which it affects
the governed. In the United States we
have two parties, one majority and the
other minority of the people: and this
majority and minority reflect the prevailing
rule OF government, but differ as to the re-
iation of the whole people to the BODY
polite. And in this difference one party
becomes great and charitable, teaching the
grand and lofty Christian doctrine, Good
will among men," while the other becomes
weak and Insignificant, teaching the doc
trine of the evil one, Opposition to law"
And this great difference of opinion as to
buC VI tuo governed 10 Cne WlOlo
body polite, disturb the peace and har-
mony for which government was created
DeTocquevlle says: "SOme countries are
so large that the different populations
which inhabit them have contradictory in
terests, although they are subjects of the |
same government, and they may thence be |
IN perpetual state of opposition. In this |
case the different fractions of people NAV |
more properly be considered as distinct |
nAt1OnR than MI
war breaks out, the struggle is carried on
by rival peoples rather than factions in the |
State.
"But when citizens entertain different
opinions upon subjects which affect the
whole country alike, such for instance, as
the principles upon which the government
10 to be conducted, then distinctions a,ise |
ties are necessary evil in free govern
ments, but they have not at all times the
same character and the same propensities ;,
The late civil war blotted out the cause
of contradictory interest, which divided us
as nation. In that war the contradictory
interest was truly shown, and supported |
we can truly say. so far as interest was con-
cerned, by a distinct and separate people.
But as government to be available. "a |
regards the object for which it was insti-
tuted, must have controlling power.
which power can only be properly derived |
from the consent or sanction OF majority |
Of the governed, it is evident that the con-
interest advanced by the South
,r Democratic party was only that of "a |
minority OF the whole, when compared with
he principles and interest inculcated by
he Republican party. and consequently I
he interest OF the few had to give way to
he interest and welfare of the whole.
The Republican party teaches that civil I
nd spiritual or religious liberty is the in s
erent right Of all mankind The Dem t
cratlc party teaches that all men do not | S
POSSESS this inherent right, but only should t
nJoy such privileges as the dominant class '
r party should in their discretion see q
roper to allow by tacit or express pernlis. o
ION. Ihis-the relation of the whole peo- b
lie TO the body politic-is the chasm which b
oitlcal parties refuse to shake hands over a
ne major portion of the people of this IL
ountry having belief in the capablity of Il
ian 10 set up and maintain for himself a | 5
WI government, have formed themselves ! h
ITO one great party, tor the purpose of ex- Ii
ounding and propagating their grand and | s.
Doie prinelples-equality before the law, Il
Wi ana religious liberty to man. And bv ell
ese great principles and the grand truth hi
vealed in the exposition of their doctrine ty
ey have been endowed by their fellow ST.
items accepting their teaching with the N
,wer or right to govern and, in accord. | tb
ice with the law established BY the whole | LEI
ople, to enforce their particular principle W,
rule of government; and as they live up nj
their teachings and the grand principles sa
ey inculcste, SO is their lease of power to &C
vern renewed. III;
The Republican party is actuated by the
and principle, II am come to fulfill the
", not to disobey the law" and upon this
Ponds its success. The Democratic party
5 shown itself deficient in principle, void
faith and incompetent of unity of action,
cause of the great discrepancies and In
'ors In its teaching, when compared with In
acts, when allowed to inforce its rule or In
'ory of government. In
'igotry, egotistn and self interest shine In