New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-08-19

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any subtraction from or abridgment Of
the negro's acquired rights under the fed
eral constitution; pretend to have great
respect for the federal laws, particularly
those relating to the reconstruction Of the
Southern States, and regard for President
Grant, whose duty it is to give vitality to
those laws; and, above all things, pretend
to want an honest aud economical govern
ment for the nation and each of the States
thereof, something that, according to the
opposition, the country has not been
blessed with since the Democratic party
was instructed, by very decided vote Of
the people, to hand over the government
OF the Union to Republican administra-
ton. These are only few of the preten-
sions that the opposition is now making
for the purpose of deluding the people of
the old free States and drawing them to
the conclusion that the time has arrived
when the Republican party has forfeited,
by its robberies and misgovernment, the
respect and confidence of the people, and
can therefore no longer be safely trusted;
and that in order to secure good govern
ment, its administration must be restored
to Democratic hands.
While there is much reason to doubt
even the possibility of the people of the
old free States being deluded by these
pretensions Of the old rebel Democracy
OF the South, it is very certain that no
man South, be he white or black, can be
deceived by them. They are as much
delusion as are the professions of honesty
and purity coming from the same source,
while In the same breath it is openly de-
clared that the party in power is nothing
but band of robbers. Now, as the accu-
sation of robbery has been made it is but
right to look into it, and, if possible,
establish who are the robbers. The first
robbery charged upon the Republican
party by the opposition was the act of
emancipation, freeing over four millions
Of human beings. This the Southern
Democracy did not fail to brand as lost
Infamous and stupe ndous robbery of the
Southern people, but the verdict of the
nation and the civilized world did not
sustain the charge. The act of emanci-
patton, therefore, stands good, while the
charge OF robbery preferred against Re-
administration by the Democra-
cy falls to the ground. The determine
ton of Republican administration to
preserve the integrity of the Union by
preventing the rob berry of at least one
third of its terri tory by the Southern
Democracy was made the foundation of
another charge Of robbery against Re-
publican administration. But this after
a fair trial, has also been adjudged to ba
a false charge, SO far as it related to the
Republican party. Then followed the
charges of robbery made by the Demo-
cratic party agai nst the Republican
State governments in the South
during the process of reconstruct
ton. Admitting that much wrong has
been done by individual Republicans
called to public positions during the time
the work Of reconstruction has been going
on, it is susceptible Of proof that great
deal of what has been denominated rob-
berry. and charged to Republican State
administrations by the opposition, can be
traced to the bad conduct of that same
opposition; and therefore showing con-
that if the State has been rob-
bed it may be justly chargeable, in a large
degree, to the opponents Of Republican
In this State, for instance.
it is contended by the rebel Democracy
"that all taxation in excess of what is
to defray tbs necessary expenses
Of government, exercising only its
legitimate functions, is robbery, and
should be resisted as such" Admit
ting, for the sake of argument, that
it is true, We will show that to the
opposition can be traced great deal OF
the robbery that has been imposed upon
the State in the shape of high taxation.
We have only to refer to the immense ex-
pense the State has been put to from time
% time since the close of the war, to keep
Town the rebellious spirit of the opposi-
ion and enforce the laws. The bad con-
1uct of the opposition rendered the estab-
ishment Of the Metropolitan Police a ne
,essity, and this has added to the neces-
'ary expenses of the government at least
million Of dollars year, amounting fo-
he five years that body has been in exist
'nce to five millions of dollars. If this is
,obbery it is the result of Democratic con-
luct. And this does not cover. by any
means, all the necessary expenses that
lave had to be incurred by government in
order to enforce the laws and put a stop
% Democratic violence. A condition CT
Ifairs exists in this State at this very
line demanding the presence of troops in
many OF the parishes to protect the life
md property of law-abiding and indus
rious citizens from the attacks of lawless
men organized to commit violence for
political purpose. Ii the Governor should
out sufficient militia force in the field to
overcome these lawless men, it would be
It an additional necessary expense of a |
arge sum of money, that would have to
De paid by taxing the people; and as the
Democrats tell the people that taxation is
obbery, we leave them to Judge who are