New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-25
A New Party.

IL,
of Hibernians.
A New Party.
There are Republicans who see in the dis
grace of Mr.. Belknap disaster 90 fatal that
they despair Of the party. Reform within
the party they declare to be impossible.
The machinery. they insist, is in the hands
of those who will nominate candidates who
will be only an earnest of an indefinite con.
tinusnce of all that has brought US low.
The only hope, they think, is in the prompt
formation Of q new party and tho resolute
union of all honest men. That would GER
tainly be an excellent party; and the ex-
preston of disgust and dependency is at
this time very natural. We have seen droll
letters to the papers proposing that q new
party be formed at once, as if it we're bust
ness of laying out new road or forming q
whist club. We invite the attention of
honest Republicans who are thinking Of
such movement as a practical resource to
few considerations. First of all, the effort
would simply split the Republican party,
and insure beyond any question Demo
cratic success. Yet this is the very thing
which such Republicans would avoid, be-
cause they know that Democratic success
would be the triumph of . party without
principle or policy, controlled by an ele-
ment Of rancorous hostility to the victors
ton and Q violation OF the national faith.
In the present situation NO Democrat is
likely to leave his party to combine with
Republicans in forming one which can not
hope to succeed. The only ground upon
which Democrat could be approached for
such purpose is that of sound currency.
But We have already seen the hard money
Mr.. Thurman supporting the soft money
Mr.. Allen, and the hard money Governor
~: TO thn
Democracy of Ohio, and the hard money
Mr.. Bayard favoring ''compromise" in the
Washington caucus of his party. These
gentlemen are for Democratic success with
hard money, if practicable; if not, then for
Democratic success. The new party, there
fore, would be merely Republican divl-
sion.
The organization of new party in the
presence Of Presidential election implies
in every district Of every State body of
men who are ready to give a great deal of
money, time and labor to the work. 1t i'm
plies q State convention of such persons,
and nominations duly made for every dis
trict, with the probability Of revealing the
weakness both in numbers and political
standing Of the prominent actors. We do
not go to the polls and write the name of
presidential candidate upon paper and
drop it in box. We vote in New York for
Dental candidates. To do this effectively,
there must be committees, money and COM
plete organization. Let every Republican
who would like to see new party consider
Low much Of this work he is willing to do,
and how many neighbors he can count who
are of like mind. There is great Deal OF
justifable wrath with the caucus" and
great contempt Of the men who manage"
elections and conventions. But while the
80 nf ~ Cian ma
who would produce results will consider
the conditions under which results are pos
eible. Party desrotism, indeed, is des-
picable tyranny. No honorable or patriotic
man will endure it. He will support no can
didate, however regularly nominated, whom
he considers to be unfit or dishonest. Ii the
party nominates them, so much the worse
for the party. But while this is all true, it
is not the less true that capable and fit men
not be carried without party organization.
The important point to ascertain is Just
when it is hopeless to expect such men or
measures from the action of the party that
We have supported.
Some Republicans are inclined to ask
whether that time has not come for them.
They do not deny that the result may be
Democratic success, which they deplOre.
But they ask whether, unless they are to be
dragged forever after the party chariot,
driven by hands and in ways which they
distrust and condemn, they must not take
the risk, clear their own cOnsciences, and
let the consequences rest where they belong.
There could he no doubt OF this if it were
evident that the evil tendencies could not be
checked nor the evil mastery mastered.
But is this SO? Is not the history of the last
eighteen months full of instances that show
the power of the best forces to obtain con-
trol9 In the State CT Connecticut, only
fortnight ago. and before the Belknap ex-
posure. the Republicans nominated candi-
dates vi the very kind that every good citl-
zsn wcald gladly see elected. If such re-
suit is possible in Connecticut, why not
eIse here 1t was accomplished there be-
cause every honest Republican concerned
was resolved that it should be. Why should
not The same thing, by the same resolution,
bs doue in New York and in the national
convention9 Why should those who wish
that the party should be wiEely led decide,
before they have tried, that it is impossible!
To make that decision and to act upon it 's
to betray the government into the hands of
the Democratic party. 1t is useless to say,
as we have sometimes heard, that it would
be but for four years-lOng enough TO
frighten and punish the Republicans. If
the Democrats return to power ss Mr., Hill
said of the Confederate. they return to
stay. With the enormous patronage and
the intimidation of tha negro, they would
maintain their hold Is it worth while for
Republicans who have carefully measured
the probable results Of the restoration to
make i, certain without vigorous struggle!
We do rot 80 understand the duty of pa
trlotic and honest men. That duty, as we
conceive it, is to spare no effort to defeat
within the party the leadership of those
who are largely Responsible for the degra-
datlon OF the party. 1t is to condemn mer-
cenary politicians. 1. is to make deter
mined politics by refusing to follow mer-
cenary eEort to obtain the control OF the
party every where, as it has been Obtained
in Connecticut. When that effort is fOiled,
when it is indisputably clear that the men
and tendencies and spirit that have dis
hea-tened the party are too strong to be
disturbed, and that change in the char.
acter and tone OF administration is plainly
impossible, it will be time FOR every Repub-
slican who values his country more than his
party to consider whether it is not his duty
to protest by opposing his party. But that
time will not come if such men are cour-
ageous and active, and will work instead
Of grumbling and despairing.-Hasper's
Weekly.