New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-12
(Communicated.l
The Democratic Conservative Crusade
Party.


EDrroR REPUBL.cAN:
In time of war it is always desirable to
know what lie going on in the camp of the
enemy, and az near as possible to become
acquainted with his secret councils, plans
of operation, and the spirit which is mani
tested in the execution of the campaign,
etc.
So 1t is with a political warfare; and
especially in this State at the present time.
Having had peculiar opportunities to "spy
ont the enemy" though not let down out Of
a window as were the Israelitish epies of
old, hope that, with your indulgence,
shall bs able to reveal few facts and offer
few suggestions that will be Of advantage
to the rank and file of my co-laborers Of
the great Republican army of Louisiana.
If we regard the late Democratic conven-
ton held at st. Patrick's Hall in this city
as a representative body of the opposition
In this State land it certainly was), i. is not
difficult task to presage the practical
maneuvers which will be resorted to in the
coming campsi IN to in,ure success, aud as
Mr.. Levy says in his letter to McEuery,
''the installation Of tie government Of our
choice"
When the honorable gentleman uses this
expression, he simply means that his party,
which is in hopeless minority, must at all
hazards OFT. in possession of the State gov
ernment. But the question, how is this
great object to be accomplished, is one that
must be solved by the grand sachems who
pull the wires for that holy institution-the
Democracy.
They know scme thing about arithmetic,
| and they know that the figures represent
ing 10000 or 40, 900 majority Of Republican
| voters in the State, as deducted from the
registration and census returns, offer a
| serious obstacle to fair and square contest,
Hence, this late so-called Democratic con-
ventioa has resorted to stratagem so finely
wrought and delicately spun that it is cal
| culated to deceive the most wary, and it is
| to this point that l desire to direct the
special attention cf Republcars, particu-
larly those who are little weak in the
faith, or what old politicians used to call
"tender- r-footed.'
The point in question is embraced in the
second plank Of the platform, which reads
rs follows:
9 That the primary test OF membership
| of the Democratic Conservative party Of
Louisiana is an unreienling opposition OF
| the usuIpatiCn. and, without regard to past
political affiliations, all those who join in
the crusade against the usurpation are in
full fellowship in the party.
Such resolution in the platform Of a
political party is unbecoming, undignitied
people; and any man who would knowingly
allow himself TO be dragged into a
"crusade" which has for it's purpose a no
higher aim, is not worthy to enjoy the boon
of suffrage.
But let US examine more rigidly the real
animus of this resolution. for in this way
We viii, get at the bottom of the deep laid
scheme devised to wrest the victory from
the Republican party, which is known and
acknowledged to be in an overwhelming
majority in the State.
IN the first place, why add the suffx
conservative" in giving a name TO ,I.e
party' This OF itself is intended to de-
ceive. Ths "test Of membership" on the
day Of election in November next will not
only extend to native whites, bu. to tens Of
thousands Of colored voters, who suddenly
On that day, as it were by the wand OF the
magician, will join IN the Crusade against
tho usurpation," and. will add, against
their own political principles and the party
to which they are indebted for their posi-
ton as citizens and suffragans.
This plank in the Democratic platform Of
this State evidently foreshadows the plan
by which our opponents expect to carry
the State this year, and it is just as well
| to present the issue now as at a later period:
| and, in fact, the sooner tho Republican
masses know cf the design of their ad-
party are thoroughly convinced that with
out some such subterfuge it is out of the
| question to carry the State, and they have
consequently "paved the way" as fer as lay
| in their power, and they have certainly
manifested no inconsiderable degree Of ir-
| genuity
| But it is the duty of Republicans to BE- en-
their guard everywhere throughout the
| State, and 10 take measures t, thwslt the
designs Of the enemy as toresh allowed in
their platform. Your correspondent has
heard numerous expressions by those who
are in the secrets of the Democratic Con
servative crusade party, going to confirm
his interpretation of the resolution in ques
tior, and it they are asked how they expect
to carry the State, they answer: 20. the
negroes will vote the Democratic ticket as
they did in Mississippi"
1t is clear, therefore, that they expect to
carry the State, not by Democratic major
ity, but by the aid of cclored votes!
| But how is that aid to be obtained? Ger
tainly not by the voluntary support Of the
| oolored voters, who are almost to man
Republicans. How, then, shall it be man
| agedi For an answer to this question, I
refer the reader to the past history of the
sooalled Democratic party in this State
since the colored population have been en-
| franchised.
Another very notable circumstance coz.
nected with the convention, is, tnat the
colored element of the State was totally
ignored in its deliberations, just as though
they were not q part of the body polite.
Besides, every Circumstance points to the
conclusion that, as party, they do not