New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-09-21
NOMINATION or MAJOR GENERAL BUT

tons heretofore made to the nOmlnauoA
of Major General Butler. The anti-Re'
publican press does not comprehend the
situation at all The objections to Mr.
Butler were such as a constituency may
make in time of peace, but he has been
called to the front on an entirely different
issue. The White Leaguers and theil
douehface allies at the North are striving
to get control of the government for the
purpose of permitting each sovereign
State to do what it chooses within the
sacred limits of its own jurisdiction. The
first exercise of this right will be to
modify all the laws Of the Federal gov.
erpment SO far as they may be counter.
acted by laws of the State.
In preparing for this recapture Of the
Federal government and the restoration
of the Buchanan regime, the White
Leaguers have spread reign of proscrip-
ton, fraud, terror and death, which COM
pels all within the Democratic States to
vote a strictly sectional ticket. This
sectional consolidation offers to few
Northern doughfaces the government Of
the United States, and with its patronage
as the price of joining this new conspi-
| racy 1t thus occurs that the States Of
the North and West, who had decided
between the Republican and the Republi-
can reform ticket, on preparing to enter
the lists against each other, find their
former enemies arrayed in line of battle
all along the line of Mason and Dixon.
Can It be surprising that they leave the
pillow of reform in the furrow and repair
to the field of political combat as they
have done to that of sectional conflict?
If the South hoists the stars and bars
will not the North rally around the, Union
flag? II one side traces and entrenches
the line OF Mason and Dixon, will the
other side be at all slow to throw up bas-
tons and redoubts, or organize its bat
talions for assault? The Confederate
earthworks of defense around Rich
mond or Vicksburg did not more
certainly create corresponding lines of
attack than will the Democratic sectional
policy organize corresponding sectional
party at the North and West. These
Union men have once fought for con-
struction of the constitution; they do
not wish to have the same work to do
over again. These men are now laboring
to pay off the costs Of that war. They
do not wish to be saddled with class Of
claims which the Republican members Of
Congress have told them is impending,
ready to be audited and allowed whenever
the Democracy obtains the control of the
government.
With this universal apprehension-with |
the return of the liberal and independent |
element to the flag of the Union, is it |
the Republicans will not call to |
command the officers who have led them: |
If there be fifty or sixty Confederate gen.
erals in commission, can it be suspected |
that there will be no corresponding call |
upon the distinguished officers who COM
manded the Federal armies?
It is in consequence Of this sectional
ssue forced upon the country north of
he line of Mason and Dixon that the
people of Massachusetts have waived the
,ivil objections to Major General Butler,
md called him to represent them in this
.risis of impending civil war. The mill
airy career OF this officer has left some
memories among those over
whom he administered the Federal au-
hority. 1t is coupled with good deal
hat will be remembered by the poor with
,ratitude. The issue Of rations without
aspect to nationality or opinion; the en-
'loyment Of the laboring poor; the sani-
airy protectic: ef the city, were all meas
Tres of General Buffers administration.
The assessment of disaffected rich men !
nd institutions for the food and wages of
be poor have not been forgotten. People
nay say outwardly what they please, but
n administration which would feed the
hungry by employing the idle, and rescue
he streets from the mire and garbage to
which they have been consigned, would
e borne by the poor and hungry with
aore equanimity than the White Leaguers
imagine.
We deprecate military government.
We know that communities deprived ct the
light of self government, and published
S in state of instruction, can not ex-
ect to participate in the consignments Of
rade or the attraction CT capital.
'othing could grieve US more sincerely
han to see necessity for any such meas
re arise among US. The White Leaguers
aust, however, remember that if this
vii shall come it is one which they have
themselves invoked, and that however we
r they may deprecate such result, the
ower to construe the necessity or
egality Of public acts has passed into
he hands Of the American majority, and
hat power will do whatever it deems Just
q the matter.
With this challenge of the White
.eaguers to fghtagain the war ofconstruc-
ion, the people of Massachusetts have
gain called to the front Major General
,eniamin F. Butler. He was not their
hoice on finance or reform. His follow
ng comprehended far too much Of the
short hair" to please the more exclusive