New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-09-30
DEMOCRACY DISAPPOINTED.

passed IOr q tlue uEuer TIC eACiuSi'O 'OL-
troll of the professional politicians and
sectional agitators, its patronage declined
to such an extent as to render recurrence
to its former moderation Indispensable to
its existence. 1t has denounced "Radi-
calism" whatever that may mean-bUt 1t
has advocated the recognition Of some gov
eminent, and while an advocate Of the
compromise of 1875, has len the question
otherwise in the same position. 1t now
opposes Democratic convention at this
time, and any violation of the compro-
mise. Very naturally the Picay;ne wishes
to Justify its position, and, therefore, H.
teryiews some gentlemen of established
social and political anteeedents, for the
purpose of ascertaining how far they con-
cur with it in opinion.
The responses are fearless and perfectly
to the point: They neither take the DEM
ocratic uniform or organization, nor do
they consent TO reopen the adjustment
made by the compromise OF 1915. We
publish them il extenso in another
column, to which We refer for the full
text, upon which we shall comment
Mr.. D. B. Penn is well known and
respected citizen, a native, We believe, of
Louisiana. He was Confederate soldier,
and was the nominee as Lieutenan. Gov
ernor of the Conservative or Fusion party
in 1872. Mr.. Penn does not consider the
Conservative and Democratic parties called
together in convention by adequate au-
thority. He does not think such an as
semblage at this time compatible with the
peace and business prosperity Of the State.
tie apprenends thai SUCH l4uvttiius rou,d
revive the disputes relative to the adjust
ment, and would be generally unwise.
1t is very significant that Mr.. Penn pre-
fers not to commit himself just now to
the national Democracy unless be knows
precisely what the national Democracy is.
OF this he seems to have misgivings He
thinks the presidential controversy will
turn on the question of specie basis, or an
irredeemable currency, and thinks there
will be "a general shaking off of political
affiliations upon this money question
alone" In this he comedies with those
who believe that New York and Ohio are
now fighting 60 decide whether the ma
tional Democracy will advocate hard
money or flush money. NJ. Penn, with
others, awaits this decision. Democracy
awaits it. The only condition which Mr..
Penn imposes upon his own political ac-
ton is that the people of Louisiana shall
"get good men regardless of political
affiliations" He thinks "the people of
this State must fight their own battles in
dependent of national parties" He thinks
the Radicals should be driven from power,
but objects to the Democratic autocracy
as tending to disunite the elements of OPP
position to Radicalisnl.
Mr.. John Phelps is man Of business
and high personal character. He objects
to the Booth-AIarr convention on the
ground that it would interrupt business
and reopen the compromise strife. He
also concurs in the opinion that the North
ern Democracy has gone into liquidation
and surrendered in schedule all its prin-
ciples' His opinion is candid and pFao-
teal
Mr.. I. N. Marks is we'll known as an
old and respectable citizen, frequently
called to positions of trust, and especially
as the confidential adviser of the fremen,
by whom he has been officially honored
for many years past. MIR. Marks concurs
in the views of the other gentlemen.
The position of Mr.. Z. A. Burke has
been fully defined in his speeches upon
the proposition to call the Democratic
Convention. His reply to the question,
"What do you think of recognizing the
Democratic party?" is, We say with re-
spect, not very categorical. He thinks
the Democratic Conservative organization
good enough for the present. The querist
seems in doubt and presses the question:.
"What do you think Of fighting under
the Democratic banner?" Still his sup
port of Democracy displays the same dis
trust and fear of being roped in that is
manifest in other Conservative quarters
The difference between Messrs. Mari and
Booth and the Conservatives seems to be
that the former wish to secure the abso.
Lutte domination of the Democratic party,
while the latter desire chiefly peace and
honest government.
We have given this summary and detail
of the Conservative position in Louisiana
for the information Of our friends abroad.
They will thus see an unwillingness among
men who have something at stake in the
public peace and private business of the
State to see it plunged anew into political
anarchy.
1t may be inferred, also, that such men
as the deponents of this interview have
determined to demand all the official re-
forms of the city and State which they
deem necessary to the peace and pros
perity of Louisiana.
They seem to have very bad opinion
Of Radical integrity, but there is an
obvious distrust of Democratic violence,
without any adequate guarantee that the
hungry Democracy would be any more