The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-04-16
PERSONAL RELATIONS OF POLITICAL
OPPONENTS.

There was a time when legislators in tn
State belonging to opposing political partie
associated, conyersed, worked or oven p!aye
together with great freedom. showing to eac
other every requisite mark Of respec. an
courtesy. While voting, speaking and MAJ
aging on opposite sides on all Questions OF
purely partisan character, they would ofte
unite on questions Of local policy or exped
ency. The gentleman who was raised
Wing by Wing father would occup
tho same room ct tho hotel wit
fellow member who was Democra
BY instinct. They would occupy adjoinin!
seats in the Senate or House. cooperate upoi
the same standing or special committees and
upon matters which did not involve party
faith and party fealty, would cheerfuily AID
one another. Political antagonists, and even
rival candidates for the same Office, were
seldom at cnmity on any matter, and
never upon politics. There were many
sharp discussions, many fierce declamations,
many keen encounters Of wit, many exhibi-
tons Of raillery and sarcasm, yet but few quar-
rcls growing out Of politics. Men who were
voters twenty years ago will remember with
satisfaction that among those Of politics an
tagonstic to their own, they had many worthy,
trusted and valued friends
In Northern States, where the Republican
party occupies toward tho Democracy the re-
lation formerly held by the Wings, politics
does not interfere with personal and social
relations. Political differences are not often
carried beyond their appropriate sphere
Persons who hold to doctrines dia-
metrically opposite seldom allow
diversity Of opinion to cause personal aliena-
ton. Those who were prominent advisers
Of their respective parties were in their man
ner and feeling toward each other like two
barristers who happen to be On opposing
sides in the same suit.
This friendly opposition aud mutual per-
sonal good will between political opponents
has not been seen in this State since the
coming in Of imported vagabonds as party
leaders, candidates. legislators and office
holders for the Republican party. This has
been the result Of no fault or neglect on the
part Of Democrats, who are the same in intel
ligence, courtesy, kind feeling and honor as
were the Democrats Of twenty years
ago. But they cannot be friendly toward
tho adventurers who have como into Louis-
ana as the guides advisers and champions Of
the negroes. Democrats (the permanent
white citizsns) of Louisiana find these men
hostile to the best interests Of tho State, false
leaders to the generally ignorant negro voters.
fomenters of discord, the thralls of the despot
who rules over us, enemies to the restoration
Of a fair share of influence to white voters;
men reckless Of all the material interests of the
State, disseminators Of false and hostile ideas
and sentiments among the negroes, fosterers of
pernicious secret political associations, settlers
OF bad examples and practicers Of the vilest OF
POPULATION and fraud They find that the Il. adj
Cal party in Louisiana, und Ter the guidance and
instigation Of these white leaders, has caused
to the Safe damage of hundred millions
CT dollars, and brought it and lis metropolis |
to the edge of ruin. Democrats cannot re- |
spect them, or associate with them, or con-
tide in them rs with their ancient political
opponents Nor can they act toward colored |
Radicals, who have learned their lesson from |
these imported false teachers. as they would |
have done if thed had been lot alone, and |
left to find advisers and friend, amongst our |
own people
This antagonism is the misfortune as much
as the fault OF tho negroes. Some of the
wiser amoag them are becoming convinced
that they stand in their own Light, and are
rather than helping the cause of
their race.
From this time we may date tho beginning
Of a change and a gradua! subsidence of this
hostility in political sentiment. When col
pred man can occupy seat in tho General AS
sembly without being known to be uoder the
strict control and influence of some corrupt
and wicked imported white Radical, he will
begin to be respected by Conservatives as the
representative OF important interest and an i'm
portant element Of our population. Friendly
feeling will return and thrive whenever the
,arpet- Dagger aud the intrusive alien political
raider takes his final leave.