New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-23
OUR STATE AND LEGISLATIVE TICKET
FOB 1875.

with them as to the best means of estab-
fishing Republican principles, with the
assent of the whole population Of Louis
lana. 1t is not necessary to remind the
reader that these principles have received
the sanction of Republican freedom, and
that all questions of construction nave
been settled by a bloody and expensive
war. Notwithstanding all this, II the
representation of these principles be CON-
mitted to unworthy agents the value of
the principle may be forgotten in the de-
merit of the men. Is it, then, possible
the Republicans Of Louisiana will cease
to guard these sacred principles? Is it
reasonable to suppose that many OF them
will jeopardize their political birthright
for the personal gain Of any dishonest and
selfish powers? Common sense and
patriotism alike pronounce that no mis-
fortune which may attach to the immor-
tai principles Of the Republican party
should be attributed to the apathy or to
the dereliction Of its members.
The first care of the colored Repub-
licans should be to look to the delegates
chosen to the nominating conventions.
There should be a fair vote Of the party,
at such hours and places as will give labor
ing men opportunity to vote. In the
choice of those delegates but one thing is
important. It is the choice Of honest men.
In this choice there is no limitation on
account of color. An honest man will
not lend his support to dishonest men,
and the only interest Of the Republican
party consists in getting into Office and
representation men who can do nothing
to bring disgrace or responsibility upon
the party. If the Republican party can
make a State and Legislative ticket upon
this basis, the principles of the party and
all the personal rights existing under them
will be safe.
We know that every party is infested
with political sharps; fellows with not
sense enough to be either brave or hon
est. They would prefer coming in the
night to steal that which would be given
them openly in the day time, and when
the hour of danger comes consider it the |
sharpest possible trick to escape the draft
by desertion. Such men neither build up |
nor maintain a party. They are to the
statesman what the shyster attorney is to
his noble profession, the law; they bring
discredit and danger. We ask the col
ored legislators to look back at the flock
of these thieves. Democratic and Republic
can, which have infested the Hobbies for
years past. Where are they now? Some
few of them may have realized some dis
honest gains-the greater part are needy,
despised and avoided. Where is this debt
which they attempted to pile on the peo-
pie? It amounted, when Governor Kel-
logg arrested and reduced it, to more
thar s53, 900, 900.
The deeds of these sharp fellows ex-
cited the anger and the apprehensions of
the people. 1t caused moderate men to
unite with a Democracy whose only object
was to fight the war over ''within the
Union" If, therefore, such sharpers should
succeed in securing the nomination Of
men unworthy your support it may be
we'll to remember that q nomination is not
an election. These sharpers may thimble-
rig a convention and secure names which
honest people would abhor. Such a
ticket, however, would excite again the
apprehensions Of property, and those who
fear taxation would throw themselves
into the hands of the Democracy, whose
sole political purpose is to disfranchise
Republican voters. Property has no
politics; it would accept a military gov
eminent if thereby relieved from excessive
taxation. We reminded you that the prop
erty holders and business men may permit
the repeal of your right of suffrage. We
repeat the warning. The Picayune says
the constitution will prevent such an
outrage. 1t will do no such thing. The
constitution may be amended, and under
the White League principles it must be
amended. A grave Senator says, that
thousands upon Thousands Of colored
people will be butchered in the event
that the Returning Board shall not be re-
pealed. The bloody records of Coushatta
and Colfax show that Republican officials
and citizens may be slain for the misfor-
~o r oolo~ ~, Tho ~ re a voto Tho !
result Of the artillery canvass in Missis-
sippi has scattered a majority Of more
than twenty thousand Republicans,
and a Republican Lieutenant Governor
of that State is now to be accused
out of Office. Then we have the
avowal of the Picayune that "a
majority which can be intimidated is
essentially incompetent to discharge the
duty of suffrage" The reader will put
these things together and see that If the
constitution itself must be changed to i'm
pose this equal disqualification upon the
voters, it will be only necessary to intiml-
date the constituents of two-thirds OF the
Legislature, and then a simple majority
of the voters scared from or slain at the
polls, and the constitution may be made
to conform to the will of the White
Leaguers. There is, however, even a more
simple process. 1t will be to call a con-
vention by vote Of the Legislature. This
will open the whole constitution, and the
Republicans NAV consider themselves