New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-05-16
"cAN NOT ABANDON PRINCIPLE"

we honestly OoAevo IT, Inc pxuassPA0
which can not be abandoned is the prin-
ciple that ''to the victors belong the
spoils." The strategy by which this
principle is to be made effective is to
follow obsequiously where they can not
command and to bully those supposed to
be weaker or more timid than themselves
The insults and violence with which the
Republicans are treated is by no means
the extent of the bullying system. 1t is
applied to the conservatives, and either
in business or in association these
people, in reality majority of those in
opposition to the Republicans, are COM
PEELED to submit to the leadership of
desperate and despotic men, who really
represent a miDority Of the combination.
There is often degree Of cunning en-
ployed not at all incompatible with
cruelty. It is the stealthy creep, to
make the deadly spring, common to all
the cat tribe, great and small.
We can not abandon principle, says a
last ditcher at the close of confession
which shows the most abject abnegation
Of all principle. It is claimed that the
Democratic party embraces "nine-tenths
Of the white people Of the State, yet it
voted for freesoiler who led one Of the
first colored regiments in the South. It
abandoned its name and under the alias
Of 'Fusion," secured for subsequently
avowed White Lacquer the passage of the
Returning Board. law, organized that
board, appointed majority Of Democratic
members, and the Fusion leaders claim
the election Of 1872, upon the authority Of
returns calculated" by Democratic Re-
turning Board. The very existence Of this
same law has been proclaimed by the De-
mocracy justification for the overthrow
Of the State government. Yet we are told
that the Democracy scan not abandon
principler'
In 1872 the Demo cracy took up Re-
publican candidate for the Presidency.
He was an Aboltionist, protectionist,
an advocate for the prosecution Of the
war to the capture of the Confederate
capital. He babe all men take notice that
he had changed in nothing. Yet the De-
mocracy ''can not abandon principle"
A compromise was accepted by the Con-
servatives of Louisiana. The Democracy
denounced any such recognition Of Re-
publican authority, yet Democracy &C
cepted the House of Representatives I'M
der that compromise, and would have VIC
lated the Conserv alive construction of it's
terms by accusing the Republican gov
eanment out of Office and installing a
Democratic Governor, to be supported by
.'ten thousand men.
The latest phase of the last ditch
Democracy is that of the Democratic
Conservative party. Democracy is law
less and violent. It has in Mississippi
deprived the colored population of free
suffrage. 1t holds business as subcrdi-
nate to politics. It is intolerant where
it has the power. 1t is obsequious
where its interests require submission.
It will seize the whole prey if ii can do
so; it will accept the otf.l if it can get no
more. Conservatism is the opposite in
all this. 1t represents the opposi-
ton to secession. It advocates public
improvement, education and official
reform. It represents nine-tenths Of
the capital, intelligence and industry in
the Democratic Conservative party. It
was carried into secession by the Demo-
cratic DULLES. It furnished men and
weapons for the Democratic DULLES. It
proved to have been more wise and equally
brave with the Democratic DULLES. It ID
now required to obey the orders and fol-
low the lead of the. Democratic DULLES.
It remains to be seen whether these citi-
zens will accept the position assigned
them by the White Leaguers.
It is time some Understanding should
be had as to the purposes to which new
Fusion canvass in Louisiana is to be ap-
piled. The public peace and safety de-
mand it. There is radical difference be-
tween the partner who grabs the sword Of
command and the associate who con-
tributes the means and numbers Of sue
cess. Let the Conservatives demand what
are the purposes Of the Democratic men,
bers of the firm? The Democrats GER
tainly bring no principle into the concern.
They have abandoned every principle.
From having once been State rights war
rioYs in the political field, they have been
demoralized and disbanded. They are
now political bushwhackers. willing to
Join any forces who will lead them to
plumber. Their only principle now is the |
spoils, and their only tactics to deceive
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