The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-07-14
THE LOUISIANA DEMOCRACY.


the history OF the Democrats OF Louis
ana, brushing from its skirts all 9Th
virus OF partisan contagion," It's goo
Judgment and usual fairness will, W
think, accuse the ferocity OF its attac
this morning upon our pig-headed
organization.
Some days since, Sunday we think
was, our contemporary declared that
had no interest In the past; SO utter
contempt did it then hold for the pas
that 1t declined even to read the abb
and startling exposure Of the greed an,
misrule OF the Radical party in Louisi
ana, contained In pamphlet written b,
Judge Abell. Sunday, all the hopes
and aspirations, and purposes OF tn,
Bulletin were in the future. Thi,
morning, however, that journal devotes
its columns almost entirely to the pas
OF the Democratic party OF Louisiana
bestowing upon it some very hare
names. The Democrats OF Louisiana
are charged with being the authors ol
all our woes, and with being "pip
headed"
A fair review OF the course of the
Louisiana Democrats will not Justify
these grave accusations.
In 1872, both in the National and
State campaigns, the Louisiana Demo-
Gratis, against their best judgment, for
the sake of harmony, surrendered their
distinctive organization and partic-
rated in the Liberal movement. Their
action then was not "pig-headed nor
arbitrary. Indeed, the action of
the Democratic party here and
elsewhere, Governor Brown Justly
said, in that canvass, furnished
an example Of party magnanimity and
devotion to country without a parallel
in political history. Yet the conciliatory
spirit Of the Democracy in that canvass
is now made pretext for abusing it's
leaders and arraigning its policy. In
one breath we are told the Democrats
joined the Liberal movement in 1872.
and in the next they are denounced as
intractable and illiberal.
The Democratslwere divided in opin-
ion upon the compromise; yet those
to it have agreed that, as the
Is now a matter Of the past.
matter Of history rather than po-
litical issue, it should be dropped. Yet,
day after day, the anti-compromis
OF the party. is denounced
for its opposition to that meas
ure and designated as Last
Ditchers, Bourbons and disorganizers.
And though the question is dead and
ought no longer to haunt our politics.
the no-party men are urging. upon the
Baton Rouge Convention q candidate,
largely upon the ground that he was a
compromise man, and they are thus
seeking to reopen u distracting oues-
ion the Last Ditchers are willing to let
sleep.
In the January Convention, in which |
he Bourbons Of the State had. three
ourths OF the members, the Democrats,
or the purpose of gathering under one
standard all the elements in the State |
opposed to the plunderers who have |
cursed us. agreed again to give up the
distinctive appellation of Democrats,
md accepted, in the interest OF the
state, the party name Democratic
and now the Bulletin
harges US with having jay-hawked the
'arty name Of its friends. This may be
witty. but it is neither just nor wise.
Through all the trials Of Louisiana
ince 1868, the Democrats have stood
by the interests of the State.
hey have opposed concessions and
as bad policy, but have
ometimes conceded much in these re-
poets to the wishes Of their fellow citi-
ems. Are the repeated attacks Of no.
'arty, Conservative and independent
nen upon the Democrats in the interest
1 harmony? Are they calculated to
harmony?
In the interest Of harmony the Demo-
rats accepted the fusion Of 1872 when
was pressed upon them. They are will
ng to let the compromise which they
ever approved rest as settled question
the interest Of harmony. They accept
d the party name Democratic-C Con-
ervative in the Louisiana Convention
n the interest OF harmony, and in the
interest Of harmonary they desire now
o join hands and hearts with all the
lements opposing Radicalism in the
upport OF the Baton Rouge ticket.
Are the No-party men, the Conserva-
ives and the Independents, animated
y the same liberal spirit which actu-
tes the 'pig-headed" Democracy 3? Let
8 all bear in mind that there are
igher interests to advance than those
I any party or faction, and that these
interests are the interests of Louisiana.
let us then drop hard names.