New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-09-09
CARPET-BAGGERs AND DEMOCRATS.

| Inc REPUBLICAN mas frequently SHOWN
that a man in this State may at any time
enter plea of being Democrat as an
effectual bar to punishment for any Of
Tense On the other hand, a charge of
carpet-baggery, like an imputation Of
heresy in some countries, makes man
an outlaw, whom it is great merit to
rob, insult, abuse or kill, according to
the surrounding circumstances.
1t has been the fashion among the
rougher elements in the newspaper pro-
fession in this State to make the abuse of
carpet-baggers regular business, supple
mented with an occasional glimpse at
Basin street life, doings in the police
courts and reports Of SNOWY parades and
Sabbath breaking. A carpet-bagger may
be described in general terms as a gen.
tleman born on the northern side of Ma
son and Dixon's line. All SO born are
carret-baggers except
l. Democr
2 Men Of capital, or presumed to have
it, who are afraid "to take any part in
politics."
Thus society is constructed upon
false, not to say ridiculous basis. Slang
terms and catch words supply the place
of evidence, and are made to supersede
the reasoning faculties. If it can be said
of man, 'He is a god Democrat, no
other recommendation is necessary. He
is received into the political circles (not
social or financial, mind you), of the very
elect; but if it can be whispered: ale is
carpet-bagger, all his rights fall
away from him as readily as the
scales lef. the eyes Of Paul on
noted occasion. A residence of ten,
twenty or even thirty years goes
for nothing If he be an American citi-
zen, and Republican, he is hopelessly
outlawed, and it shall be lawful for any
Democrat to Stay him, any Demo-
cratic boy to rotten egg him, or
any employe of Democratic interest to
cowhide him. And yet we are reaching
out our hands for commerce and national
aims. The people who dwell in the native
States of our Republican citizens hold
the power and the purse Of the nation.
They likewise own and control the lines
of transportation, rule the money and
produce markets; make public opinion by !
the means of widely circulated and ably |
conducted newspapers. When North
ern Republican, for instance, learns that
his brother or neighbor, who always bore
an excellent character at home, is subject to
contumely and disability in the Southern
State to which he has removed, and for no
other reason than that he is Republican
he forms an unfavorable yet We can not
say incorrect opinion of the manners and
morals of the community that tolerates
and permits such bald injustice.
The recent affray between Messrs. Souer,
Of Avoyelles, and Smith, recently of the
Chicago Inter- Ocean, but lately employed
as reporter for the Times, illustrates
very wildly this fell spirit Of prejudice.
General Souer has been prominent man
N this State for about fourteen years. He
came here with ample means, with the in
ention of engaging in mercantile bust
aess He is generous to fault, good
and of noble, confding dispo-
'ition. There is no man here or else
where who can accuse him of dishonest
,r dishonorable transaction. His word
8 good wherever he is known. His devo-
ion to his obligations is proverbial. In