New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-23
FOLLOW THE LEAD.

1t is an unqualified rule at whist to fol-
low your partners lead. The reasoning
is obviously this: The party in control
has formed plan; it is the duty Of his
associate to obey faithfully the indica-
tons, even to discarding plans which may
seem to him to promise more than those
Of him who leads. The Republican con-
vention has led off in the proclamation Of
certain principles and the nomination of
certain men to give those principles effect.
These principles have not been contro-
verted by the anti-Republicans. The
candidates have been chosen on the doc
trine avowed by Cesar, that they should
not merely be honest, but above suspicion
of dishonesty.
Such is the lead. Will the Republicans
of Louisiana follow it? VIII they dis
card all candidates whose reputation
is equivocal? Will they bring forward
names only in accord with the unquestion-
able integrity and capacity Of Hayes and
Wheeler?
We have explained to the two per cent
Democratic politicians Of Louisiana how
little influence they have or have had in
the decisions Of the nation. They illus
trate the remark Of Mr.. Burke (not the
Administrator that a single grasshopper
will make more noise in a field than
hundred bullocks who are chewing their
cud under the shade. Republican poll
ticians have no more power in national
affairs than the grasshopper politicians of
the Democracy. Republicans, however,
have more at stake.
The nomination of men whose records
require defense will revive the exaspera-
ton which has pursued the Republican
party ever since reconstruction. Repub-
lican success in Louisiana can not affect
the national result, except to the almost
extent of its electoral vote
defeat in Louisiana would be
by certain inevitable conse-
quences: l. Political, social and bust
of all Republicans 2. The
emigration from the State of all
who might have no other
occupation thaa Office, and no other
means of livelihood than mercantile or
a mechanical trade. There are many Re-
publicans who have social relationship
md business investments who must re-
main. There is also the mass of Repub-
leans, the colored voters Of Louisiana,
who have now nowhere else to 60 except
INTO Texas, and they know the reception
for them there.
With SO small an influence in federal
success, and so vital an interest in hold
ing control Of the State, is it not emil
nently proper that the Republicans of
Louisiana should "follow the lead" at
Cincinnati? If the people demand order
and honesty, is it not proper to propose
10 postpone any Republican aspirants
who may not fill this bill, as the Repub-
leans Of the Union have sacrificed their
''idolized" favorite There must be this
year fair fight on principle. 1t must
not be interrupted by any conflict Of per-
,onal interest or of personal courtesy, for
what is any man that he should demand
he consideration of his personal merits
o the jeopardy of national principles?
The Republican convention Of Louisi-
my should follow implicitly the lead of
he national party. It will be in vain to
!pplaud the nomination of Hayes and
Wheeler, whose record requires neither
explanation nor defense, if handicapped
With local names which require either
explanation or defense.
Duty to our friends, a proper appre-
tension of our intolerant enemies, alike
lemand that the Republicans of Louisi-
ma should be faithful soldiers following
he lead of those intrusted with party au-
hority. It would be unwise to set up
theory different from that al
eady promulgated. 1t would scarcely be
to organize on different prin-
iple, and to claim any advantage of
ational success on the basis of State
ost from failure to follow the lead of
be nation.