New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-21

L 10 extremely difficult to generalise On
j political system likely to be adopted BY IL
j | white people Of Louisiana, or any plan
| action which promises them political 90
} cess. Tho diversity Of conflicting opinion
90 evident and 90 great that most person
naturally feel some hesitation in announcin
positively 1.-THE platform" ON which the
lana, she has among her citizens no Leader
NO man pre- eminent Ut once by his intellec
patriotism and courage, and by the Unfit
ence resulting from deservedly high an
widely spread reputation. If such ma
there were, it would be we'll if all woul
yield, for awhile, their opinions, and lsbo
! unitedly under his direction, 90 that on
entire strength might be intelligently an,
efectually exerted; but the avatar VIII
received his high commission Nose
presents himself to lead MS from our presen
house of bondage to the promised land.
Such being the case, it IL the right and
duty OF all citizens to express their 0pin
ions, 80 that the people may have an oppOr
tunity to select those which seems wises
and most expedient. With this idea para
mount, and certainly in no presumptuoui
spirit, propose to consider the present
deplorable, disgraceful and anomalous. Il
10 . stigma on those who, since the war
have directed the councils of the federal
government, and is highly discreditsble to
the intelligence Of the white people of the
State.
GOOD GOVERNMENT
has been and can be established under cir
| cumstances more unfavorable than those
which have existed and now exist in Lou
isiana. And those who, from Q distance,
have witnessed our struggles are unable
90 h. HhA skA e
tho State have always failed IN their per-
sistent, determined, and at times desperate
efforts to establish . government which
would afford adequate protection to life
and property. Those occupying repre-
sentative positions generally attribute their
failure to circumstances beyond their con-
troll. and endeavor to delude themselves
and their constituencies with the idea that
all was done which could possible have
been done under the circumstances. This
idea is consoling. perhaps, but very unsat
isfactory. 1t is much more probable that
our failures have resulted from an imper-
feet comprehensive of the situation and
from inherent defects in the methods We
have heretofore adopted. 1t is surely pos
sible to ascertain and avoid the causes from
which our past defeats have resulted. The
federal government and the Returning
Board are usually, and with justice, named
as chief among these causes. 1t is frequent
~ said that we could easily carry the cleo
Returning Board existed, and that We
could easily prevent any action of that
board adverse to our interests if it were
not sustained by the federal government.
The statements are true, but, unfortunate
ly, the Returning Board exists, and still
more unfortunately, it has been, and in all
probability will be, protected and sustained
Dy federal bsyonets.
There are, however, other causes which
never attached sufficient importance to the
fact that the white people, as among them
selves. differ widely in their political opin-
ions. We have never with any degree of
unanimity attempted to control the negro
vote by means such as are elsewhere ordi-
narily used to influence those whose right
to vote is unreservedly conceded. We have
always attempted to gain absolute and on
tire control ct each election. aad refused to
accept partial misunderstanding always
upon all or nothing. We have relied en-
tirely too much on the national Democratic
party and delusive hopes of foreign aid
have led US to forget that We not only
should, but must ourselves work out our
own salvation. All intelligent persons
know that the causes stated have contrib
uted to our political disasters, and must
admit that those causes can be either re-
moved or avoided.
have, however, neither time, space nor
inclination to discuss them now.
The problems which the people of Lou
isiana have to solve are these: How shall the |
State be raised from its present degraded |
How redeemed from bankruptcy |
How shall the relations between whites and |
blacks be adjusted on q peaceable, perma- |
nent basis9 How shall the tide of immi. |
grafton, ceaselessly rolling westward, be |
diverted to eur fertile fields9 How shall |
We develop our wealth of resources? How |
regain an influential position in the nation7 |
not beyond the reach of our thought. In
some countries social and material develop
ment is possible, under unfavorable political
but under the peculiar circum-
stances existing in Louisiana there can be
40 real progress, no permanent improve
nent of any kind, until the State Is gov
,rned by men capable and honest, identi-
led with its interests, aware of it's wants,
n sympathy with its people, and who can
Iult in beneficial development. The rulers
We have had since 1868 are certainly not
uch men. How shall We place such men
n power7 All persons concede that none
,ut the best men shall be elevated to Office,
mt this abstract concession will be, as it
las always been. practically fruitless.
Under our form of government there must
# necessity be political parties, and any
of our present status can re-
ion of political principles. Every man
Who has any public spirit and desires to
o promote the interest of the State should
ct with that party which announces prin-
iples most in accordance with his own.
q some countries there are many good
1en who take no active interest in politics;
ut in Louisiana no man can be good citi.
en- who occupies himself solely with his
rivate affairs.
If the positions thus taken be correct, it
blows that, in order to solve the problems
we must act with some party al |
Dady existing or create one which will re-
ognize and attempt the practical applica-
on Of our views.
Some assert that it is best to join en-
lasse
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY,
,hich sustains and is sustained by the fed
raj administration. They cay Louisiana
requires immediate relief and
id which can be obtained only from the
arty now in power; chat the national Re-
ublican party will remain in power some
ears longer, and that by joining that party
Ia policy, as to Louisiana, could probably
q directed and the relief so sorely needed
70 at once obtained. There is some force
q these positions but the remedy proposed
, impracticable.
TIE Republican party in the Northern
tates represents largely the wealth and
Intelligence of those States, but the Re-
publican party of Louisiana does not rep
esent the wealth and intelligence of her
'eople, and lie, on the contrary, hostile to
10Th. It has taken no root here and is q
mere mushroom which has sprung up under
he shadow of the reconstruction acts; it
las no selt-sustaining principles, and must
vither and die when the support of the
ederal government is withdrawn. A
,arty which confessedly requires the con-