New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-21
THE lIaHf OF INDIVIDUAL OPINION.

Nj. A. b. Leonard, gentleman OF
aome note in Northern Louisiana. has
lust made strong appeal in behalf Of the
right TO the freedom Of political opinion.
Az his address Is ct once novel in charac-
tor, able in its composition and suggestive
in many Of its propositions, We publish u
in full. It comes from man VINO mas
been and still il shining light OF Democ-
rscy, an acknowledged leader, clear
thinker and generally rated Is . sagaclous
and skillful political manager: he may
not 40 understand it himself, but his adj
dress tells Us in pretty plain terms that he
IL tired, disguised and disheartened with
the grinding tyranny Of his own party, and
makes . strong appeal for the simple right
to the freedom of thought and action.
We apprehend if Mr.. Leonard could
and would speak out q little more plainly
even than he has done, he would tell us
that he would be quite content if he could
see Republican principles adopted and
maintained by his former and present po-
litical associates. That is, he prefers Re
publican to Democratic principles; but
when il comes to the selection of men to
be elected to Office to carry them out, he
would prefer the personal and political
friends of his own section and race. Evil
IDENTIFY his objections to the Republican
party do not arise from its proposed
measures, for to all intents and purposes
he seems to be q very good Republican in
theory. We admit that he has not said
this in so many words, but he comes
very near it when he suggests the pos
sibility Of all the Democrats becoming
Republicans for the nonce as means
Of success. And this is, after all. the key
note to the whole business. How to sue
coed, how to rally the greatest number
Of voters in support of an idea or oandi-
date, has been the problem which thou
sands of statesmen and would-be states
men have tried to solve. time out of mind
Mr.. Leonard is now in search of success,
but he does not tell us exactly what it is
he wants to succe ed. His postulate that
it is necessary to do something to ire
deem Louisiana" is only to inform us
that the State is not SO prosperous as it
might be; and his plea for the right to
choose political associates, and, if need
be, form q new party, does not set forth
in what particular manner he proposes
to set about the work. When he
points out the way by which success
may be achieved, he does not tell us
definitely who it is that he wishes to see
successful, nor what measure of public
policy he wishes to have adopted to
bring lhbout the admittedly desired re-
demption. We must infer, therefore,
that he has in his minds eye class or
race of men who have in some manner in
herited the right to govern, but are at
present kept out of their patrimony in
of their own discussions. If
he is only bent upon securing the success
of certain aspirants for Office, and looking
around for set Of principles which will
answer well enough until the ship Of State
is captured, we do not know anybody
outside of the circle of those Immediately
in the prospective emoluments
of Office who will feel any high de-
gree of enthusiasm in the matter.
But whatever may be the ultimate
result of Mr.. Leonard's attempts to
achieve the much desired success in the
of Louisiana, it is quite evil
dent he has no faith in the professed prin-
ciples of the Democratic party. What
ever affection he may have for his old as
sociates, he shows a decided tendency to
lean toward Republican principles. Dem
ocracy, he tells us, is reactionary, i'm
practicable, illiberal, and controlled by
proscriptive ideas. When we have said
Is much we have been accused of abusing
the ''best people in the State" by those
who are singularly amenable to the CEN
sure, and yet honestly believe they are
really good people.
Another sensible suggestion in this de-
parture from the beaten track is that vio-
lence invites violence, and force COM
pels the employment Of force to resist it.
The Republican party, being physically
The weaker, has skillfully kept the law on
it's side, and by this means ever found
powerful friend and ally in the federal
government. The threats which we're
made in 1872 to install McEnery by force
but did not dishearten the
When the time for action
anne they were prepared, and had help
lose at hand.
But we can not at present follow this
Ipostle of q new departure through
ii his propositions. Let it suffice to
az that it is very apparent there is seri-
JUS division in the opposition party as to
he policy to be adopted in the next cam
'aign. A progressive element has ap-
,eared which refuses any longer to
ling to the old ideas and tradi- |
ions which have for some years failed |
o bring success. They are essentially
livided upon measures, and possibly
lpon men. The Republicans only are in
loubt about the latter. They are satisfied
With their principles, and are at present
asting about for those who appear to