New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-06-11
WHERE AREAYHE SOUTHERN WINGS


administration, it occurs to Us to inquire,
what has become Of the Southern Wings?
!. There was, perhaps, never more con-
sistent or respectable party than those
who resisted the assumptions of the fed
eral executive and contended for that re-
publican principle that the power and
policy Of the government was in the rep
resentatives Of the people. This was the
first fight against Democratic executive.
1t called the Wing party into existence.
The Wings also advocated the policy OF
developing all the resources OF the States
by educating and employing the people.
} They also demanded from the fed
eral government fair share Of its
appropriations for the improvement of
the natural resources of the Southern as
well as the Northern States. They sus-
tanned the Urion as the source Of all lib
erty and prosperity. Against this party
the Southern Democracy, now SO in
dulgent Of opinion, hurled the most vim
dictive abuse, They were yankees"
they were ''Federalists;" they were "Abo-
litionists;" they were poltroons who would
sacrifice the South to love of Northern
domination. The pressure of the slavery
question, growing out Of the repeal OF the
Missouri compromise, disorganized the
Wing party North. Passing through the
American party, it emerged as the Repub-
lican party, and on that issue received
the accession of thousands of Northern
Democrats.
The Southern Wing party had its chrys-
ais also. 1t passed into the American
party, though many Of its members de-
clined to accept the doctrine or discipline
of that party.
When the sectional issues eliminated in
war Of sections, the members of the Wing
party at the South fell in under the Demo-
cratic banner because that represented
their sectional sentiment, as the Republi-
can party had represented the sectional
sentiment of the Northern Wings. The
war is at an end. Amnesty has removed
the last restriction upon the Southern
people. Not one vestige of disafection |
remains. The Southern Democracy voted |
at the last presidential election for the |
embodiment of Unionism, Federalism |
and Whiggism. With this profound
peace-with this surrender of all |
opposition to the doctrines which the Re-
publican victors have embodied in the
constitution, laws and policy of the fede-
raj government, whence comes the right
of the Southern Democracy to demand the
further service OF the Southern Wings?
We have known the antagonism of princi-
pie was laid aside for the paramount dam
ger Of the section. There were such
Wings as Lee and Johnston fighting IN
der the lead Of Davis and Sliiell. Why,
then, when the war has ended, does the
obligation Of service continue? The lar
gest term for which soldier can be ex-
pected to volunteer is "during the
war;" Do these Wing volunteers be-
long to the Democracy? Are the
principles of federal construction and ad-
which now recur for discus
sion to remain forever in allegiance? Then
it must be that the Democracy do not in
tend to abide by the arbitrament Of war
longer than they can secure the means Of
D new trial. Then this dilemma is pre-
sented to the Southern Wing. Either
you must be bound to Democracy because
the principle of your allegiance has not
been decided, or you adhere to its COM
mand through the habit Of obedience,
the dread Of censure or are Indifferent to
the welfare Of the country. Has not every
member of the old Southern Wing party
4 right to an honorable discharge? Have
they not fought, suffered and complied
with every honorable obligation to their
section? Are they serfs and mere wards
Will they continue forlorn strife, which,
in opposing the terms Of military and
political capitulation will be in advocacy
If the terms Of alliance and the condi-
ions of lawful warfare?
When the Democracy, then, calls on 6
The whole Southern people to oppose
Republican administration, it will become
he duty Of the Southern Wings and anti
Democrats to inquire whether they are {
bound during the natural term Of their /
ives - obey the commands Of party ]
which has been, on the principles in is
sue, defeated and disbanded. Let the !
Southern Wings demand an honorable a
discharge. They can then attach them
selves to any organization, or renew their
own. They can vote for any candidate I
whose character may suit them. Other {
wise this helpless minority must be i
ragged by Democracy into any political I
that an. intense hatred of Q
and rabid famine of spoils Q
nay impel them to incur.
When we remember the able, patriotic
md gallant Wing party, which in Louis
ana once held equal numbers, and, per- d
maps, superior wealth, We can not repress s
,ur surprise that they should suffer them q
selves to be brigaded under Democratic t
command, or bargained off under Fusion a
contracts. Has not the time come for {
his powerful and intelligent interest to
speak?
WAS CONGRESS BRIBED F
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