New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-12
WITNESSES FOB THE CROWN.


The government of this republic is liable
to the selfish attempts of inscriptions
men to weaken the public faith in its du-
ration by systematized corruption. Those
who have read history need not be told
that the chief modern monarchies of
England, France and Spain, and even
the ecclesiastical government Of Italy,
have suffered from degree Of public cor
| ruption of which we have neither exam
pie nor conception. England has had
Lord Chancellor Bacon and courtiers of
the Stuarts, to whom was granted, in
monopoly, whole States of the now Union.
Later on there was Walpole, and after
him Chancellor Aislabie; then Warren
Hastings, Governor General of India.
France had the infamous crimes and
corruptions of the Bourbons and the
royal farmers general, and the quar-
termasters who sent her unprepared
into the Prussian war. Of Spain and
Italy it is unnecessary to say more than
that they have surpassed most others in the
wretchedness, cruelty and corruption of
their governments. We find that each of
these governments has in its time re-
formed, in great degree, these abuses.
Why, then, should Americans intimate
that a republican government is failure
and even testify in ridicule against the
character of our country.
We find in the Picayane a sardonic in
quiry into the claims of this republic to
be regarded as a success. It is sufficient
to say that in the apparent spirit of the
article the republican government has
been failure. 1t is proper to say that
the Picayaue seems neither surprised or
concerned at this result.
In discussing the probable verdict of
those monarchies- scarcely one of which
is as old as this republic-the Picayune
becomes crown evidence against our
country. 1t thus catalogues the only claims
which the republic has upon the admira-
ton of the world:
Setting aside, then, our machines and pic
tures-bad enough these latter, most of
them-what will we have to show on the
fourth Of July, 1876, IN demonstration of
the success of the great experiment."
How, for instance, would the following col
lection answer: Mark Twsin's and Warne's
"Gilded Age" Minister Schenck's manual
for poker players; some specimen ore from
the Emma mine; General Grants thorough
breds and rat terriers; a barrel or two of
crooked whisky; the Louisiana Returning
Board, with q section of the Louisiana
Legislatures; Mrs. Belknap's diamonds, and
Mr.. Belknap himself, with shaven crown
and striped clothes. 1t would be easy
enoug h to add to the list but we think it is
long enough to induce the intelligent visit
ors to repeat the exclamation of Nine. Ro-
land, 80, Liberty. what crimes have been
done in thy namer'
Suppose we should publish alongside of
this the following schedule: Our ancestors,
driven by the kings and priests to inhabit
a wilderness, renounced their dependence
on kings, and by their valor founded a
republic. The superiority of this govern.
ment has attracted from the monarchies
of Europe more than three-fourths Of
forty-fve millions of people, that proper
ton and their descendants having quilted |
Europe for America since the establish |
ment Of the republic. This republic has
defeated every enemy it has ever met onl
The field. It has given liberty to all who |
i've under its rule. Its national credit is
If the highest character. Its national in
dustries equal those Of the oldest nations.
It has an unlimited area, a popula-
ion superior in numbers to any Eu-
:opean nation except Russia, with
every indication of continued in
rease. 1t has acquired territory by hon
st purchase from monarchical and other
governments. Those territories which
lad been held without improvement for
rom one to three centuries have under
epublican government become populous
nd principal members Of the Union. The |
srritory of Louisiana. burden on the
orrupt crown of the Bourbons, was given
, the King Of Spain for nothing. 1t was
gain given away to the United States for
list what it cost to build the Eads bridge
cross the Mississippi. 1t was thus given