New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-01-08
REPUBLTOANs SHOULD SPEAK.


Now that all the money changers, the
soap dealers and the stewards and en-
ployes of Northern houses generally, who
are under the domination of our White
League politicians, are subscribing to
previously prepared manifestoes intended
to whitewash the wretched condition into
which affairs have fallen, it is time for
Republicans to speak out and let our
friends everywhere learn the truth. The
White Leaguers have captured many of
the excuses which this city has for mer-
chants, and compelled them to subscribe
as true to statements which every Repub-
lican of average intelligence will be sur
prised to hear. And not only surprised,
but highly delighted, if it were possible
to believe even one-half The Repub-
licans have been driven from mercantile
and all other kinds of business ever since
1868, when the policy was adopted to give
no countenance or encouragement to their
attempts to establish a footing among
u.s." Such thing as justice at the hands
of criminal jury in a case where the
accused has been prominent as politician
is one of the rarest things in our juris-
prudence. If the prisoner were Repub-
lican his condemnation could be counted
upon with reasonable certainty, if there
was the slightest evidence against him,
while the conviction of Democrat, es-
pecially if a little political sentiment
could be brought in, is justly regarded as
simply impossible. The higher law is
mob law. "This people" prescribe the
fashion of mems opinions, and woe to
the non-conformists. Our timid mer-
chants and bankers are in constant state
of trepidation the year round. Their
present fear is the nimble tax collectors
of the "Conser vative Legislature. That
body of patri OTIS, as well as several Estate
officers" must live, and while they are
devoting all their time and what little
dull talent they have to the "cause of the
people" they must be paid by the people.
For this pur pose the merchants, bankers,
insurance men, etc., are the people.
When it comes to distributing favors there
is quite different class ready to spring
forward and answer to call upon the
popular name.
Now all these things and many more
are well known to thousands of Republic
cans. Volunteer testimony seems TO be
the order of the day. Let US not be be-
hind our interruptions and wordy oppo-
nents in zeal for our cause. 1t is shame |
for more than one-haf of this great State
to remain silent when their active enemieSt
are leaving no stone unturned to ruin
them by gross misrepresentation 1t is
the duty of every Republican club in the
State, where they are not likely to be pre-
vented by force, to assemble and pass
resolutions corroborating what General
Sheridan and Major Merrill have reported
Not that there is any danger that these
gallant officers will not receive full Gre
dence, but upon the principle that Her
cules helps those who help themselves
Those who can do SO and will not do not |
deserve assistance. Our party trusts too
much in the business of their cause and
the physical ability of the government to
protect them. Recollect the govern
ment itself may be undermined if it
is not sustained by public sentiment
At present all the noise and confu-
sion is employed to bolster up the |
frail interests OF the opposition, while our
party is silent, if not actually supine. A
stranger at distance might almost be |
justified in counting this great mass of |
anxious but inert people as consenting to
the wonderful stories spoken through the |
Chamber Of Commerce, the Cotton Ex-
change, the Northern drummers and other |
convenient witnesses, and telegraphed |
broadcast over the land for public opinion |
here. 1t is well known that the average |
New Orleans business man will readily sign |
any paper presented to him that does not |
contain subscription, an obligation for
friend, or a political sentiment that may
deprive him of possible customer. The
Democratic leaders are well aware of
this, and take advantage of it whenever
they think they can gain temporary adj
vantage
To counteract the evil which has been
invoked against us, our friends should
assemble in their clubs and prepare me-
MORALS to Congress, setting forth the
exact truth (exaggeration will be entirely
unnecessary, as the pain facts are too
bad), and send them to our representa-
tives in Congress, to uphold the hands of
our friends who are fighting our battles
at the national capital. We are really in
the crisis of our fate as political party
and as people, and the time for active
exertion has come. Let there be a gen.
eral movement among the clubs and among
patriotic citizens everywhere.
A nHnTOE Op EVTI9