New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-12-31
c,Al JOURNAL OF 1He srArs or LOUISIANA.
NEW ORLEANS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 81 1874.

cratic organization could have but the one
result. 1t must necessarily result in bring
ing all Of the various elements under con-
troll Of the Democracy. There was presented,
however, no resource. Those Of the more
respectable or liberal elements, TOO, must
needs take the lead. The representative
mercantile and business classes, as found in
the South, and particularly in Louisiana.
are Che veriest co wards imaginable in so far
Brave, perhaps even to rashness. in per.
sonal sense, they yet cover in abject cub.
mission at che first crack of she whip. as
applied BY the recognized conservators of
public opinion. It is the only explanation
OF much that must otherwise seem incOm-
prehensible in Southern, and particularly
Louisiana affairs. Public opinion at best, is
mere irresponsible mob its conservat0rs, q
bevy Of equally irresponsible politicians.
standing. should at least give tone and
eharacter-~should. in fact, direct-are az
completely in the background as though
devoid Of a political existence. Worse
than this, they are made to act a. sort of
a moral shield for that which, however re-
pugnant. they have not the proper nerve 20
denounce. 1t is thus that the murders and
outrages 80 intimately associated with tho
name and seeming creed of the Louisiana
Democracy find an ever ready apOlOgist in
the person Of sny OF the more respectable
so-called popular demonstrations of the
people -such, for instance, as that the
fourteenth Of September last-all those
OF the upper classes are assumed as in the
lead.
This moro respectable or liberal element,
representing, as they do to no little extent,
the Old Line Wings, could have little of
sympathy, save as based on mutual pre-
judice, with the old school Democracy.
ally drawing asunder. Public feeling, how
ever, or perhaps should more properly
say, public prejudice, was fast assuming an
unmistakable direction. There was little,
if anv, attempt ON the part of the more
respectable classes to stem the tide. Their
sons, too. were the leading spirits of the
White League organizations. They formed
the creme de la creme of q second genera
ton of Louisiana chivalry, anxious to do
and die for their native State-fOr its iude-
pendence from Radical rule.
With the action of the Committee of Sev-
enty, the Liberal elements, powerless to
resist the pressure e1d under the spur Of
their preiudices as stirred up in every con-
ceivable shape against the Republicans,
were forced into line. It was to be "peo-
ple's convention" second fusion, that
was to be an overwhelming defeat to the
Radicals, and q consequent regeneration of
the State. The Liberal or more respectable
classes must needs, perforce, as patriotic
They must give proper moral tone to tho
movement by showing themselves in the
lead. They might thus hope to direct the
elements for the good of the State.
1t was thus q pressure on the one side,
aud an exhortation to duty on the other.
Between the two, they took up the cross of
the Democracy. The result, as might have
been foreseen, showed the White League
elements in full and complete control. That
rejected the appellarion. even. with con.
tempt. While the doors of the congregation
we're open to all, none but those of the
simon pure were allowed to partake of the
sacrament. The nominations, in the main,
were of the most ultra of the White League
Democracy. Those of the more respectable
OR Liberal elements were generously ac'
corded the right hand of fellowship, to the
extent of being allowed to extend theil
countenance and support. They were given
something mOre-they were given the honor
of affOrding shield Of respectability to the
master spirits in the rear. They were repre-
sented on the original ticket in 1872, in the
| person of Mr.. Penn, the candidate fol
Lieutenant Governor. They had stood by
Mr. Penn through all the controversies Ol
the past. They could not desert him now,
| in the opening of a second campaign that
| was to redeem the State from Radical rule.
They had committed themselves. too. In a
| ioint participation in the Convention. They
| had been represented in the Committee OF
| Seventy in the person of its president, Mr..
| MARI. They had contributed the means, in
| the main, through the Committee Of Seven
| tv. for the prosecution of the claims of Nc
Emery and Penn. The Committee of Seven
| ty, in seeming requital, was taken in out Of
| the cold. 1t was merged into the Demo
| cratic Central Committee. Mr.. Mari, the
\ former president Of the ones in re-
| ward for his services, was made chairman
| Of the other. OF all men in the State, if tt
| be judged by his services, he deserved most
| at the hands of the faithful. He was ye'
| warded with empty honors, while those Ot
| the simon pure plucked the fruit. A q
| spur to continued patriotism, he is TO re
| ceive lions share in the future. He is tt
| be decorated with the hOnOrs OF a seat ir
| the United States Senate; that is, provided
there is no slip between the cup and ths
| lip. In the meantime, he fills the post O
! responsibility. He is the representative
TOO, as understood, of ehe respectable
classes; he is Liberal and an Old Lin,
| Wing. The Liberals, through him, may bt
| said to form screen of responsibility sol
| the revolutionists in the rear.
| We have thus the more respectable ole
| ments, seemingly, to the sront, and lacking
the moral courage TO relieve themselves
from the situation. In the rear OF these, al
well understood, is bevy Of revelation
lists in acsual control of the machine. Be
! hind these revolutionists, again. are al: chs
J elements Of revolution at seemin command
! The revolutionary masses, from che fret
4 have crowded their revolutionary leaders
! The leaders have forced she issues with thu
! government and Che passy in power. "h'
government and party have receded stel
/ 6y step. through weakness and desire {.
1 avoid collision. The Liberals would fail
control the elements by riding the storm
Their representative, as chairman of th'
! State Central Committee. venerable ole
line Whig, is riding the Democratic bull IL
the desperate effort to guide him ~ CHI
horns.
The Nfsse paHgerous Alice ~ Thieses
As it is by no means probable that all th'
burglars will be killed by their victims il
the country, and that some will return t.