The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-02-08
TRyTyG TO SHIFT THE ISSUE.

publcans have not listened to the pre-
s,lmptuous request. The House mas
hearkened. treinbled and obeyed. The
Senate SAYS no. That body represents
its constituents, and not the venal rings
and subservient press OF New orleans
The House, or rather its master, tne
| Democratic caucus. may rest assured
the Republicans will make a stand on
this election bill In the main point at is
s1e-the Returning Board. Doubtless
amendments OF detail affecting other
PARTS of the bill would receive respect
4 mi consideration and, possibly, concur
renee but all time spent in trying TO
bully the Senate into abolishing the
only safeguard the on-combatant voter
has will be quite thrown away AS the
Republicdn remarked, when the ques-
tion was first introduced into the Sen
ate, surrender on this most vital point
would be virtual disbanding OF the
Republican party.-N o. Repubhcd'.
The Radical organ well knows that IL
does not require the enactment Of an hon
est election bill and the extinguishment
of the Returning Board outrage to dis
band" what it calls the Republican party
in Louisiana. The editors OF the Rep,tb-
lcan have only to read the brief but ex-
plicit letter over the signature OF Sena-
tor Blackburn, In the DEMoCRET OF this
morning. to be convinced beyond ques-
ton or doubt that the day for the rule
of coalition of unprincipled and vicious
negro bummers and palefaced political
blacklegs and adventurers, has passed
away forever with this Centennial year In
Louisiana, Senator Blackburn Is GER
tainly in this matter the exponent OF the
more temperate and reasonable. but at
the same time, stern and determined
feelings and purposes of the best portion
Of the now rapidly disintegrating Re-
publican or Radical party In the State
In his sentiments expressed in his letter,
his two heretofore Republican party
colleagues. recently moving with him on
the same Conservative line, are believed
to thoroughly participate. Even the
better and more intelligent classes of
the colored citizens will revolt with
anxiety and anger from the fierce and
unnecessary conflicts intOfwhich the
scheming and reckless office-seekers,
white and black, would procipitatc
them, coming, II possible, some counter
felt titles to office out Of their blood, and
considering It, should 1t be lost in their
miserably selfish office hunting specula-
ton. OF no more value than SO much
water poured upon the ground. On the
question OF free and fair election, and an
honest return, count and PRONUNCIATION
OF the votes, these influential men will
now act in one solid, invincible column
with the Democratic and Conservative
party, and form with the large class for
whom they speak, one vast body OF Con-
servative voters for truth, justice, free
dom. peace and the law, before whose
strength and numbers those who ex-
pect to control this State again by the
frauds and manipulations OF q Returning
Board Of stipendiary and characterless
Radical politicians, will be swept aside
like dust and leaves before hurricane.
Neither Conservatives who are Dem
ocrats, nor Conservatives who are
Republicans, ore willing to see the State
of Louisiana morally buried in q morass
OF barbarism, dishonor and ruin.
They are proud Of their magnificent
seaport, and they are unwilling to sit
still and to see the city Of New Orleans
commercially obstructed and wrecked
and despoiled by profligate and exces-
sive taxation, while at the same moment
she is throttled by the obscene hands of
a lewd and reckless tyranny, and forci-
bly, deprived of her proudest municipal
prerogatives as a free citylwith the right
Of local rule. They do not wish to see
Capital and Emigration both regarding
her with suspicion il inclined to ven
ture near. or avoiding her with an op-
pressive sense of social and political
disease, danger and death.
The House "hearkened, trembled and
obeyed," and passed an election bill,
admitted to be fair and just, having
ample guarantees in protection of every
voters suffrage In every parish of the
State. II could not be considered OBJ
jectionable by any honest man within
the broad limits Of Louisiana, and it
was only repugnant to tho Radical Re
publicans, principally alien adventures,
or native men of bad character, or negro
politicians, in the fact Of no longer
recognizing the existence, as part OF
our election machinery, Of Returning
Board, whose history is equally odious
and Infamous. Whether the House cleo
ton bill was fair and unexceptionable
or not and in the direction Of peace and
reform, or whether the Senate election
bill, with it's vile Returning Board
feature is bad and detestible. does not
depend on Democratic and Conservative
opinion alone. The House bill was
thought just and wise law
by such papers rs the st. Charles
Herald, supposed to express before
the Senate bill was agreed upon as tle
work of party caucus, the sentiments
of every moderate and rational Repub
lican in Louisiana. The testimony Is
, indisputable and overwhelming. 1t sale
! with words that cannot be blotted out
. We are sorry to notice that severa
leading and influential Republican jour
, nails i'm the State are strenuously op
posing the abolishment Of the infamous
Returning Board, urging rs reason
that 1t will prove an excellent check
, mate to the violence and intimidation
that will be practiced by the Democrats
!, at the coming election. Our con tempo
-, ,.;,,, m ~ Il rJIr ho o1yoro nf fhn 1u y,