The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-19
THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY.

The New York Tribune Of February 13t
contains an eloquent review of the cours'
labors, principles and achievements of tbs
d journal for the past twenty years, and COZ
e cludes with the following significant para
8 graph:
S If any well-meaning Republican has bee
offended by the freedom Of our criticism, an
the persistence with which we pursue tn
abuses of power by men who call themselve
1 Republicans, We can only say that it has givel
= US greater pain than he could possibly hay
felt to find these abuses sheltered under
name OF whose memories, traditions, ant
glories we inherit SO large share. But CON,
7 try IS more than party, and truth is aboue d
. names.
, OF what significance is the name of pa IT,
which, twenty years ago, was born out
opposition to the extension OF slavery, passed
through all the stages Of development till il
eliminated in the establishment of the free
dom and citizenship of all men, and then fell
into the hands of men who brought neithe,
intelligence nor patriotism to the task of Or
ganization, and only contributed audacity
and cunning to the wrangle for the spoils ?
AA that remains Of the pa,ty is the name. In
common with thousands Of sincere patriots
all over the country, we should rejoice to see
that rescued from the men under whose bad
leadership it has been dscredited and dis
graced. But there seems to be a lack of the
muscle and fiber, the courage and manliness,
to make the attempt.
Without harmony or conference upon any
single question, agreeing in nothing except
subserviency to the President whose will is
| absolute, and whom it is beWilderment to fol-
low, the party leaders propose no,o one supreme
| effort to retain poner by crime against the Con-
fIo NJ
ity OF the crisis cannot be overestimated. We
appeal to Republicans in Congress to consider
well before they make such a sacrifice as the
President invites them to.
There is no salvation, not even respite in
1T. 1t may be too late to save and purify the
party and set it forth on new career worthy
its name and history. However that may be,
it is not yet too late to save something to the
country of constitutional freedom, and it is
for this that we appeal to the patriotism of
individuals of the party not to allow them
dlctaton IN SO serious an emergency.
The Iribunes claims to the championship
Of the Republican party are just. They |
might be carried further back than 1854, for |
1t began to be vigorous opponent of the |
Democratic party nearly thirty-five years ago.
vigorous course has kept it well sustained.
For some time past the Tribune's party has |
abandoned it as foolish pilgrim abandons |
faithful guide, or drunken master disobeys
a skiltul pilot. Its efforts to save its party
from the corruption, lawlessness, criminality
and shameless greed of the cormorants at
Washington, have developed all it's resources
and won the admiration7of good men of its
own party and others. 1t was the first to
the Radicals of the suicidal mad
ness of their course. 1t was among the earliest
% detect the presence and growth of the
seeds of ruin in that once powerful, but now
wrecked party. The men who elected Grant {
n 1868 are not the men who constitute the
present personal party whoi have adopted |
irant as the pivot on which their party is to s
est. v
The enunciations by the Tribune are vlgor-
us in terms, pointed and true. Country is g
lore than party, and truth is above all c
ames.' Yet, taken in some of its senses we Z
annot concur with the Tribune in its aver :
lent that "all that remains of the party is e
ne name" AS Democratic and Conservative o
pponents Of both Radicals and Republicans Is
neither united or severed, we expect to be u
pposed by large majority of those who is
oted for Grant at the last election. Grants tt
arty will retain the name of Republican, but II II
lere will be large party claiming the same II
anne but following other guidance, and with e
r other and worthier purposes. As we I'M "
erstand it, vast numbers Of Republicans will ~
1t vote for Grant, and yet will not cease to m
known as Republicans, or to vote for a Re- SO
lblican candidate. There are many scores of go
ousands ofRepublcans who detest Grant and W.
10 despise the bad men who belong to him, in
t who will not vote for Democrat The Sc,
ntemplated "crime against the Constitution az
the peace of the country may, as it ~ ~
ould, startle, disgust and ALLEVIATE very th;
ge fraction of fair-minded Republicans, but cus
It disgust will not drive them into our ID
rty. 81
The Grant party will cheat scare or buy be
jority in so-called Republican convention do
ose nominee probably Grant, will, by all 90,
means known to venal politicians, secure tbe
re than half the votes of the Republican my
ty proper How the honest Republicans the
act or vote is more than can now be pre- aion
ed. They will not vote for Grant in any in I
tingency. CHI
--- frar
From the St. Louis Timesl of
est from the Front Dan Sherry to b
the President. Int