New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-01-26
UNITY AHD F1RxIEss.

A sentinel on the lockout came rushing
in with breathleeg haste, to announce tha
the Democrats are still firm and united.
The striking members of the Legislature
are the persons alluded to. AS to tht
unity, we have no doubt Of it, since they
are all sworn to take no step not sane
toned by the committee that for the mo-
ment holds the whole Democracy in the
hollow of its hand. The party is under
the absolute dominion of self-appointed
consistory, composed of the most holy
and eminent men that can be found. AT
least, such is the character given them by
their too partial friends, the Democratic
newspapers, and by each other. They
are firm in their determination to sulk
away the remaining days of the session
without doing their duty, and to throw
all possible obstacles in the way of the
Republican members, who acknowledge
the obligation resting upon them to de-
vote their time to work. Firmness and
unity are virtues when exercised in a good
cause; but, in the case cited, we regard
/ them as serious political vices.
The Democratic members are holding
out because they are not permitted to en-
joy the fruits Of their revolutionary at
tempts on the fourth instant to organize
the House by reclamation against the
wishes of the majority. They will not
return to their duty until their view, or
that of their consistory, is fully recog-
nized by the Republicans. This would
give Democratic organization and a
Democratic majority, thus shutting out
entirely all Republican influence. We're
the majority to submit to such terms, the
same unity and frmness which now hold
the Conservatives together at Deutsche
Company's rooms, would be introduced |
upon tho floor of the House, and crystal |
lied into an unyielding majority against |
the Republicans upon every possible vote.
The consistory would appoint two or three
leaders, who would always be recognized by |
the Speaker, and these would constitute
the file leaders, would dictate every vote,
and shape the legislation of the State in
with the secret orders in coun-
Gil. 1t is an issue between the two par
ties, in which all or nothing is the stake
to be played for. In their present condi-
ton of firmness and unity, however, the
chances of these Conservative members
are decidedly in favor of their getting
nothing at all.
There is remedy in the hands of the
House which ought to have been applied
As soon as the oath-bound compact was
A resolution should have
been adopted citing all legally elected
members to appear in their seats within
;hree days, under penalty Of having them
declared vacant, and new elections Or
Tered to fill them. 1t is perhaps too late
o make such an attempt available at the
present session, though it would be very
Useful for the next. And since there has
,een some talk of asking the congressional
to become arbitrators, the pro-
,ensity to procrastinate will be intensi-
led. Probably nothing of moment will
'e done while the attention of the Demo-
ratio consistory is occupied in parrying
he attack which ell expect the Republican
witnesses are about to make on the career Of
he party for the past year or two. They
'ill be kept busy doing their own think
ug, and consequently lave little time to
pare to exc out the scant brains of The
ountry members. On their part, they
re afraid to take single step till they
ave received official instructions. So,
70 accept the announcement that they a
re firm and united as the signal that they
ave been bound up for the present, or t
mil their keepers can spare time to con- G
der the propriety of further action; that '
othing Whatever may be expected from Q
nat side of the House except persistent C
to the policy of sulking. o