New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-25

limits of civilization. For my part, am
inclined to believe that the gentlemen on
both sides over-estimate themselves. and
in support of my opinion / call your at
tention to the disastrous condition OF pub
lie affairs.
l have endeavored to abstain from re-
marks that might be construed as per-
sonal, but the time may yet come when
the interest Of the community will de-
mand the rending of the veil that hides
individual iniquities. To such as feel
guilty 1 say, beware! TO those who are
wavering give the warning, be on your
guard, keep in the path OF duty, or
Il rb-res hole /, a your coats,
r-de yeu tent it;
chiefs aIsaDg vou taxing no'e0
Ana faith, he'll pleht it.
Again l say, take heed! Let Senators
and members beware how they pass bills
ostensibly for an innocuous purpose
while clause sneaks in exempting prlvl-
legged persons from penalties and taxa
ton; let those tremble who have battered
their political patronage for their ind'-
vidual gain. l could throw daylight on
some of the ubiquitous proceedings that
bring scandal upon our State, and merit
us the contempt of the whole country.
Enough for me to say that we
want no venal legislators, no defaulting
tax collectors, no inefficient and easily
influenced assessors. Sweep away edn-
ca,ional boards, composed of the unedu-
Gated; crush out of power treasurers de-
frauding the school funds, and men
trading upon their patronage, placing
their tools in responsible positions, and
sharing the emoluments; and hurl from
high places men who trade away the pub
lie revenues for personal gains. These
are the delirquencies which degrade Lou
isiana, and render her rebuke to re-
publican form of government. The lepers
must be banished, the laws vindlcated,
and the constitution no longer more hon
ored in the breach than by its observance.
There is nothing SO much talked of and
SO little honored as this same constitu-
ton. 1t is in the mouth of every one who
endeavors to enact laws for dishonorable
purposes. If you look into the motives
of these constitutional hacks, you will
find that it is used as means to inflct
some contemplated outrage on the COM
1t is branch OF liberty claimed
by some to enable them to be as wicked
and as profigate as they please. The
evil that has been done in the name q
the constitution may be computed, but
We know not what We may have to resist
in the future Strike, then, at the root
with the ak. The time for action is
closing in upon US; let the action be
taken in November, and not September
indicate the law,
Lest WHEN latest hope i, fed ye as:e of our
des air,
And l,arn by proof in some Wild hour, how the
wreathed da.e."
1t will be no easy task to uproot sys-
tenn so vicious, but We must buckle on our
armor and come boldly to the front feel
encouraged by the strength of our organ
ization and the material Of which it is
1t fills me with hopeful an
ticipations Of influencing for good the
elections when l see around me
body of men true as steel, strong in their
to defeat misrule and to
raise the standard of reform. Already our
influence is permeating throughout the
state; there exist among us order. peace,
friendship and rigid obedience to the
laws, and We shall be found ever ready to
do our duty in support of our principles.
We do not seek to increase our numbers
from the lukewarM or the faint-hearted;
We do not care to see on our roll
he names of men who may come
% the front for personal advance
uent and who would shrink back on
occasions when their presence might
serve the general good nor do We desire
among US men who will throw stones
and hide their hands. We only want
those who are bold, staunch and reliable,
md woe be unto him who comes into our
ranks, and then swerves or seeks to play
as false As We now stand We can boast
Of unity and tirmness Of purpose that
will show itself when the hour arrives to
support men OF capacity and integrity; the
right men in the right place, regardless OF
party lines. To accomplish this end We will
use our utmost en~rgy, and We will I'M
ieavor, if possible. to effect our purpose
As peacable and law abiding citizens. Our
purpose is a righteous one, and in the
-cctitude of our cause shall we fed the
strength requisite to grapple with and
leteat corrupt practices. We do not de-
sire to dictate to parties what they must
TO- but when the time comes We will tell
hem what they must not do; We hope
o effect our purpose IN lawful and tenn
0erate manner; and with this declaration
We extend the hand relationship to all good
citizens and true patriots, calling upon
hem to come to the rescue and join in
,ur campaign cry, Louisiana first and
party afterward.'
We must not be led astray by men who
ing their own praises for the purpose of
a1f nd ont mood a
iring, hiding their light under a bushel.
We must have a more reliable guide
han the estimate men put upon them
elves; let us look to their antecedents.
A good tree bringeth forth good fruit"
man who is upright and fair in all his
lealings and submissive to the law is a
good citizen, and will not belle the trust
opposed in him 10y his comPatriots let Us
yean ourselves from party rejudices, and
II least, as regards our local government,
axe more generous and enlightened
lew OF the situation.
Political parties in the South consider
integral with the great political
parties throughout the land, and in con-
est for public confidence affiliate them
selves with those whose name they bear.
Now, it can aot be denied that the local
questions at issue differ in great meas
Ire from the views of the national par
les; still the Republicans, as whole, feel
hat they are responsible for the change in
'ur domestic relations, and that unless
hey support their party in the South the
principles enforced by the war might be
endangered.
On the other hand, the Northern Dem
'crats begin to fear that the conduct of
hose claiming to be of their party in this
State may weaken their influence on the
public mind, and might jeopardize their
chance OF success in the presidential cleo
ion. Hence it appears to me that unless
he Democracy here wish to cut adrift en-
irelY from the national party they mnst