New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-12-15
THE SINGLE ISSuE.

singular coincidence between the policy
of their holinesses the Popes of Rome and
the infallible, intolerant and yet indulgent
Democracy One very obvious feature of
similarity is the vindictive condemnation
of all who differ from either. Those who
do not profess abject obedience to either
are cast out and cut of from all associa-
ton. The Protestant hereto in the one
case or the Republican hereto in the
other is neither entitled to credence nor
respect.
We find the Democracy indulging any
one who will vote the regular ticket III
any phase of political faith. The Repub-
lcans are denounced as unworthy of trust
or respect They are all too dishonest to
be fit for Office, and the Democracy, from.
superior virtue, should be preferred to all
offices to which they may aspire.
AS this assumption Of superior integ-
rity is the sole claim presented by the De-
mocracy for being called to the highest
trusts of the American people, it becomes
proper TO show that citizen hao no Pc
culiar claims to public confidence be-
cause he calls bims Elf free trade Demo
crat in one section, OF protection Demo-
crat i'll another
Fortunately for the country, though I'M
luckily for our argument, which has to
prove negative, Democracy has had
limited opportunity to show the common
frailties of political mortality by expos
ing its venality in the service of the peo-
pie. OF late years its influence has been
confined chiefly to lobby brokerage upon
legislative rascality; but the State and
national legislation can testify to the ac-
tive and unscrupulous efforts of the ex-
cluded Democra cy to impose upon the
people the most audacious measures. We
might adduce Democratic agency in and
out of Congress to secure the Credit Mo-
bilier swindle, the participation of Demo-
cratic spectators in the land valuation
scheme of South Carolina, and the Demo-
cratic successors in getting and getting
away with some of the most obnoxious
monopolies ever purchased from venal
Democratic or ignorant and inexperienced
Republican legislators.
But the Democracy claims the govern
ment on the sole m crit of superior ;nteg-
rity. The exclusion of these political
Puritans from opportunities of official
plumber limits, we repeat, our ability to
prove them no bet ter than other people,
We have, however, one example of Dem
ocratic opportunity amply realized. 1t
is that of Tweed. We have told how he
submitted to 4 nominal imprisonment as
long as it could benefit his party. we
propose to connect Herewith the conduct
of Democratic officers intrusted with his
confinement. From this it will appear
l. That Democratic Senator is no better
than Republican revenue gauger. @
That Democratic officials intrusted with
the confinement of Democratic prisoners
are more venal and unprincipled than
any other officers ever heard of in this
country.
Since therefore, the Democracy per-
sists in making the single issue of integ-
rity in Office let the Republicans meet
them on that ground. The President has
issued and enforced general order to let
no public defaulter escape. 1t is impos-
sible that chief magistrate, charged
with the duty Of ecuting all the laws,
conducting the foreign policy, and con-
stantly occupied with the personal duty
of receiving and comforting with all who
may have grievances to submit, or other
subjects of interview, to keep vigilant
watch over nearly handred thousand
subordinate officers. 1t is not in human
certainly not in political-nature, that all
these subordinates should be honest and
efficient. Whatever, then, for the cause
of political morality the chief magistrate
could do he has done, and will continue to
do.
Republicans must, however, remember
that the President needs their aid in his
performance of duty. They should send
him no name for appointment which does
not carry its own Endorsement for charac-
ter and competence. The highest duty
which can be rendered an army is the
exposure of individual cowardice or
venality which might destroy the cause.
The most patriotic service which can be
performed for party consists in with
holding its Endorsement from any that it
may be called on to defend. -
If, then, the next political campaign is
to be fought on the single issue of com.
parative integrity of the nominations for
Office, we trust the Republican party will
be prepared to offer in all cases chsn. pions
of as good social reputafionAes S be
offered to them. 1t would ou3ainly bs,s
burning and lasting shame IL after
having impressed their principles upon
the administration of the governms at, ths
Republicans should be dismissed fna =
want of personal integrity and Intelligence
in giving effect to these principles. To be
expelled and replaced in Office by the
Democratic defaulters of Van Buren, and
Probo,an WOULD he bod arorch - ~ -,