New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-10

have NO pretense to any such dignity. The
Observance of an oath il of first Importance;
it is virtue without which no man can lay
claim to morality or gentility. 1t is the
oath that sanctifed our brotherhood .
union of fellowship to support . cause in
tended 20 crush out political corruption
and rescue our State from pending and
existing evils, evincing thereby q patriot
ism noble and generous that will give Ms
honorable rank among the people OF our
State for all time to come.
If we respect our oath, or desire to serve
our State by useful reforms, nothing should
be permitted to impede our march. The
enemies to progress may confront Us, may
attempt to break our ranks, but in an army,
when ranks are broken, the soldiers close
mp. and once more present an even front to
the enemy; 60 be it with us. Close up the
ranks and show steady front. In an
extensive organization like ours, to insure
victory, discipline must be maintained;
obedience and faith in their leaders are the
secrets of success with all bodies of men.
Take the best army in the world and what
is it without good generals! And what re.
suit can be hoped from the ablest military
tactics if the army be undisciplined2 Were
each soldier to exercise his individual judg.
feat would certainly follow, even if the op-
posing army was inferior in numbers and
material. Let us take this lesson to heart,
and keep united by steadfast reliance
upon each other. and firm trust in our
leaders.
There are several among us who have
been coerced for daring to think for them
selves; they have suffered political persecu-
tiOns, because they dare to believe that our
organization can conquer existing evils.
Bat l still see you in your places; yOu look
cad, but more determined to make the fight
against ignorance and despOtism. For
truly may 1t may be said that ad diversity is
the touchstOne Of greatness of soul, of mag
nanimity, and of sincerity of action. There
are SONS who can not stand the test of ad-
versity, the test Of disappointment, the test
of mistortunes; they lack the tirmness OF
character which arises from well.
couraged and dsheartened, and are
apt to impute to others the blame that
attaches to their own indiscretion. Hap
PLY, these are only the few, and as they
are not of the material required to carry
through an arduous undertaking, may DO
easily dispensed with. Let them retire
when confronted with danger or threat
ened by opposing factions, and let
those who are willing to bear the cross
ward due to faith and patriotism, and exult
when, through their efforts, Louisiana will
he rescued from her fallen fortunes.
Free as we now are from murmuring and
restless spirits, and harmony once more
reigning in our midst, it will be no hard
task to achieve our purpose. Full OF an
honest determination to work for the good
of the many, let US cast aside selfish de.
sires and petty jealousies, bearing in mind
tv ho
individual views are made subservient to
the general advantage.
Let us be inspired with nobler cOnsidera-
tons than the yearning after personal ag-
grandizement; let love of country and love
for one another be our motive p0wers; let
Us steadfastly hold to our oath, and strong
in our allegiance TO this organization, its
rules and regulations, be ever ready to fol-
fill our duty to our country and to this as
sOciation.
have, in conclusion, to remind You that
the time is drawing near for action when
our organization will be felt; We shall then
cease sentiment and plunge into the vortex
OF the contest in all our manhood, We shall
vigorously make q pressure from the out
side to secure for the State in the NOvem-
Der contest solid prospect of reforms. l
know of nothing that can Obstruct us, the
thinking men of parties are reused, the
OlECUut6uJ tu3t TcAS tuIOuS uout lAO OOuh-
try will afford all good men an opportunity
to resist corruption, and our organization
will sooD prove to the country their sinceri-
ty and determination to aid in electing to
places of trust and honor men of integrity
and capacity. We want reforms and can
secure reforms by electing to places of
trust and honor men of influence, integrity
and undoabted capacity.
The present condition of Louisiana fills
us with sadness, fears and doubts. We are
frettiDg and fostering in all kinds of griev
ances; we are overweighted with the pub
| lie want of confidence, q staguant COM
| merce, overwhelming ignorance, party
cliques and the struggle for personal ag-
grandizement; beyond all precedent town
| and country are agitated; the people are
restless and ripe for an outbreak; the dan:
ger is imminent, and yet, in the midst OF
| and smarting under all these evils, we are
about to plunge into an election campaign
| with all the trickery and cunning, all the
cupldity, all the anger and all the wretched
material of past elections, raked out of
ward clubs regardless Of integrity or capac-
| i:y. "Verily, say unto you" ''the end ia
| at hand" "the writing is on the wall"
We can not afford to patch up or palliate,
we must keep united and always remem.
Der the oath, to keep firmly together for
| the suppression of corruption, and at all
times be it written upon the tablets of our
| men DRY: Louisiana first and party after.
| ward.