New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-03
ORLEANS, THURSDAY, AUGUST

with so much vehemence as in New York.
1t WAS made test question among the
Democrats, and it split the party in two
right in the middle. Foremost on the free
soil side were Sias Wright, John A. Dix,
Pres ton King, James S. Wadsworth, Jonn
Van Buren and Samuel J. Tilden.
Mr.. Wright died in the midst of the con.
fict, the proviso was defeated in Congress-,
and General Cass, who had opposed the
proviso, was nominated as the Democratic
candidate for President in the early SUM-
mer of 1S4S. The New York Barnburners
revolted, and in August Of that year in
conjunction with Free Soliers from other
States, they held the famous Buffalo con-
ventiOn. This convention adopted the most
unccmpromising resolutions agains: the
extension OF slavery, and nominated Martin
Van Buren for President and Charles
Francis Adams for Vice President Mr..
Tilden was q member Of the convention,
and cordially approved its proceedings.
Subse quentiy, IL the same year, the Free
Soil party nominated General Dix for Gov
ernvr, and Mr.. TildeH took an active share
in the campaign in favor Of Van Buren,
Adams and Dix.
When the Republican party was formed
in this State, portion Of the Barn burners
joined it, and the reet remained with the
regular Democracy. Among the latter
the six bitter years before the war Tilden
adhered rather more closely to the Free
Soil doctrines OF the Buff alo platform than
Dix, who became a member Of Buchanan's
Cabinet, and cOpsorted with Daniel S.
Dickinson and Lyman Treman while they,
on the very eve of the outbreak, were
uttering sentiments which excused if
they did not justify, the rebellion. This
was an epoch of sudden changes, and
iv iOEi
over to the triumphant Republicans,
who received them with plaudits. and
crowned them with honors and emoluments.
But Tilden kept the even tenor of his way
through the war, always sustaining the
regular Democratic organization, firmly
adhering to the Union cause and spending
money IN fitting out soldiers; and when the
issue finally came between the separation
OF the States anc the overthrow of slavery,
he said, Let slavery perish
Those who had watched Mr.. Tildens
course on these questions, and had known
his opinions during the previous thirty
years, we're not surprised when they read
this emphatic and eloquent passage in his
first message to the Legislature az Cover
nor:
THE adoption of the thirteenth, four
teenth and fifteenth amendments to the
Federal constitution cloeed one great era IN
the system of human slavery, and of the
struggles that grew Out of that system.
These amendments have been conclusively
adopted, and they have been accepted in
good faith by all political organizations and
the people Of all sections. They close the
chapter; they are and must be final; all par
ties hereafter must accept and stand upon
them; and henceforth our politics are to
turn upon questions of the present and the
fue nd nt nf ha tnA
and final past. The nobler motives Of hui
manitv concur with our interests in making
us hail, with heartfelt congratulations,
real and durable peace between populations
unnaturally estrenged. The time is ripe to
discard all memories of buried strifes, ex-
cept as q warning against their renewal,
and to join all together to build anew the
solid foundations of American self-goverR
ment"
1t Mr.. Tilden shall be elected to the
presidency, his administration will be
guided on this subject by the sentiments of
this message. He will protect all classes
in the South, and will compel both whites
and blacks to obey the laws. But while
ready to employ the military arm, if need
be, to vindicate the right of the colored
population to vote as they please, he will
not use the army to drive white citizens
from the polls, while carpet t-baggers and
y
and violence, and then plunder the recon
structed States by means of corrupt and
unjust legislation.
This article also comes too late to stay
the tide of conservatism and peace which
is setting in toward Hayes and Wheeler.
But it will serve to show how strong this
sentiment is, when the abolition record of
Tilden is thus brought forward in order to
save Democratic votes in New York. 1t is
too late to revive the spirit of slavery and
Southern sectionalism as controlling forces
in American politics. We are now q nation.
and nation dedicated to freedom and civil
liberty. Lst the South cast off the body of
death which Democracy represents, and let
her join with Hayes and all other lovers OF
peace, good government and civilization in
promoting the era of good will upon which
We are now entering. Let her remember
1860, and beware! In giving this warning
point the Conservatives of Louisiana to
Governor Tilden's own language as quoted
by the Sun. l recall the rejected wisdom
of Clay; recall the prophetic words of
Jefferson. / say to my brethren of the
South "Rutherford B. Hayes is your friend;
build on him before it is too late B.