New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-08
A MYSTERY.

If the nominations of Republicans ore
satisfactory to q part of the people why
should the people not be allowed to e1'
press their choice at the polls? II ma
jority of the voters prefer this ticket, why
should any object, unless upon the prln'
ciple that the minority are entitled to
nominate both tickets? In what prln-
ciple does the Republican ticket differ
from the opposition? 1t is called
radical" What then is radical?"
There can be but one answer II Is one
who accepts the radical changes made by
| the constitutional amendments ard laws
Hereunder. The Democracy declares
that it accepts these amendments and
laws. 1t is then, if sincere, as radical as
the Republicans. We defy any casuist
to define any distinction in the principles
professed by either party. The op-
position direct their whole force Of OBJ
loquy against Mr.. Packard. They grant
that he is an honest man, but they
complain that he will execute the
law. Does not the opposition wish the
law executed? The very objection in
dicates purpose to turn the violation Of
law to the political profit of the oppo-
sition. Usually good citizens rejoice when
an officer is known to be faithful and fear
less in enforcing the law. Here it seems to
constitute an objection. 'Is he honest, is
he capable, is he faithful to the constitu-
tion?" were the questions deemed by
Jefferson properly applicable to nominees.
Here the protested disciples Of Jefferson
demand of Republican candidate that
he shall be of infamous reputation, that
he must be ignorant of his duties, that
he must be an imbecile who will fear to
execute the constitution and the laws.
There can be no question that if the De-
mocracy had succeeded in designating the
chief names on the Republican ticket,
they might have had an easy time in its
defeat. Their only objection now to the
leading nominee is that he will execute
the law. Let that 60 abroad.
It must be great disappointment to
those who would reopen the contest of
1872 that they can neither commence the
campaign with the control Of the Return
ing Board nor terrify the Republicans
with the cohorts of Coushatta or the jay
hawkers of Clinton. The mechanics of
New Orleans will scarcely be drilled for
combat at the order Of the chivalry clubs.
These men have determined to organize
"Union stop" of their own, and we have
no hesitation in saying that they would
furnish far better officers of State or city
government than those who would make
this military camp for carrying the cleo
tons.
1t is, then, mystery why the Democ-
racy should object to an officer because
he will do his duty. If citizen has
watchdog that guards his premises, Mr..
Pierre Berth, or other expert having de-
signs upon the family jewelry, might OBJ
ject seriously to such guard There
would be no mystery in such case. Mr..
Pierre Berlin and pals would find in that
and vigilant protector an OBJ
stacle to their plans. That heightened
and chivalrous party should object to an
officer for his fidelity to trust, the impossi-
bility that he could be seduced from duty
by any political bride, or his resolute ex-
ecution of the law, is mystery which we
can not possibly pretend to solve.
Should, however, the drilled cohorts of
Democracy and the cavalry arm Of Cou-
shatta, develop their tactics in terrifying
the Republican colored voters and assas-
sinating Republican candidates, we will
then begin to perceive that one reason
for assailing an officer for enforcing the
laws may be that the organization for |
the laws is thereby rendered
augatory. Packard out of the way, Cou-
'hatta is king. Such is the mystery, and |
such the apparent solution.