New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-22
AFTER The NATION, THEN THE STATE.

AFTER THE NATION, THEN THE STATE.
The first duty Of the patriot is care for
his country. 1t has been demonstrated
that the American Union can not be dis
solved The question was raised by South
ern Democrats and argued with artillery
and blood for five years Before this issue
of arms the Republican party had little
purpose other than to secure honest gov
ernment and equal rights to all mankind
under the law. The Democratic party
was based On human wrongs, and has
always been wrong. The platform
on which Abraham Lincoln was
elected was aggressive. Freedom and
liberty meant too little when decla-
rations Of independence were read
by men owning slaves. The consti-
tuition which declared all men to have
been bonn free and equal, and guaranteed
civil and religious liberty to all men, did
not inspire proper respect when the slave
catcher could go to Bunker Hill and order
slaves and return black men like estrayed
cattle to Southern masters. A chief JUS
tiee said this was the law and Massachu-
sets did not rebel. But the time had
come to change such laws. Horace
Greeley, great and good man with a
heart bursting wits sympathy for the mil
lions of enslaved blacks in our land,
looked at the glorious stars and stripes
and emblems Of liberty, and called the
American flag ga Haunting lie." The
Southern Democrats met the electors of
SJr. Lincoln, armed and equipped for war.
They would not meet the demands of
progress in the halls of Congress. They
would rend in twain the national govern
ment with indecent haste, break up the
Union of States, perpetuate the unholy
institution of slavery, and shoot every |
Yankee who dared oppose them. From
being champions of human rights and
equal liberties under the law, the Repub-
licans became the defenders Of the Union. !
opposed to the madmen who would de- |
stroy it. The Republican party saved the |
Union and gave freedom to slaves. 1t |
was grand opportunity, with purpose
gloriously accomplished. The platform of |
the Republican party will always rest on
the principles of union forever, liberty,
equality in law, peace. It's record gives the
party right to such position. Minor
issues arise, but they do not disturb the
The Union saved, the pros
perity Of States is desired.
What can be done for the good of LOUISE
ana is now an important question. In
stead of third party, only one political
party is needed in this State. Something
is needed to save the State from infamy
and poverty. Last ditchers and shotgun
ners can not do this. The more they re-
yive old color line ideas, and the more
they shoot, so much the more comes on
fusion, insecurity Of life and property.
The Democratic party has never yet be-
haved we'll enough to be trusted. Its
orators talk well, but its turbulent mob
does ill. The Republican party saved
The nation, it must save the State. There
IS something to be done here besides
holding Office. This applies to the candi-
lates of all parties. Men should be Sc
ected as Office holders in Louisiana be-
cause of their fitness to hold Office. Let
he wisdom of the Cincinnati nomina-
ions be the cue for action here. Proud
# its war record, the Republican party
AN not rest on that; it must progress as