New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-26

form Of government is good in theory
An ecclesiastical ruler claims power o.
attorney from God. A monarch as
sumes to be the father of his
people; q republic the equal repre-
sentation of the whole people. There
has been thus far no one of these govern
ments which has not been overthrown by
the same cause. It is the corruption Of
the courtiers. The reader may think
there are no courtiers in republic. The
courtier is the same under all govern.
ments-he is unconscious of principle
and wary Of speech. He will flatter the
monarch or the mob. His object is the
pass key Of power or profit, and this he
will acquire by the same means under any
form of government.
The Democratic party, in past times,
was expelled from power by powerful
uprising that was of no party. History
informs us that the sole issue was the
abuse of Democratic principles by dis
honest receivers of public money, and
allegations of extravagant expenditures
by the Democratic administration. The
defeat of the party could by no means
have been charged to the incompetency of
its leaders, nor to their want of personal
integrity. Neither ofense was charged
against them. The Democratic party has
obtained the temporary control of the
House of Representatives. 1t was OBJ
tanned upon allegations of official cor
ruption against the Republicans The
Republican administration was under
peculiar obligations to the men who
had borne the Republican banner
through long and arduous war. 1t
could not realize that the same infection
which had destroyed so many other honest
administrations should have crept into its
own. The Republican administration
commenced rigid system of disinfection.
1t searched into all alleged abuses. 1t
pursued the thieves Of another party with
justice. It followed the thieves Of its
own party with indignation. The people
returned to the administration, and the
result of the later elections show that
whom the people love they chastise. The
people had no purpose to discard the
principles of the Republican party. but to
show them that no love CT political prin-
,iple could make them tolerate political
frauds. The Democracy employed their
temporary victory to demonstrate their
hypocrisy. Their able ally, the New York
Tribune, thus contrasts their pledges with
heir fulfllment:
But they come. into power in the House,
and instantly, as if by magic, every Dem
,cratic refOrmer becomes q participant in
he scramble for place and power, the
capital is besieged by an army OF hungry
polls hunters, and officers and clerks of
ong experience and tried ability are turned
,ut to make room for men who are ex-
,erienced only in Democratic wire pulling,
md tried only in the Confederate service.
We approve the most searching reforms
nto every department of any government
or which the Republican party may be
leld responsible. President Grant has
made grand hunt after the dishonest
ermin who have defled the Republican
enement. The ring Of courtiers have Sc
ured the control of the internal revenue
in St. Louis. They had de-
rauded the revenues Of many millions
nd had divided the spoils among men
Tho were held in personal confidence by |
he President. This fraud was known to |
he public, and the ignorance of its ex-
'tence on the part Of the head Of the gov
rnment was imputed as the crime of the |
republican party. Il might thus have
cen supposed that for a gain Of fifty or
ixty thousand dollars to each of five dis
onest men, the Republican party might |
ave lost the electoral vote Of one of the !
.rgest States in the Union.
We have heretofore argued that the
ontinued ascendency of the Republican
arty in Louisiana depends upon the ad-
lission of the colored vote at the polls,
nd this, again, upon the presentation of
q honest official record, with reputable
nd sensible representatives. 1t is in
his sense that we advocate the most
scrutiny into any alleged official
buses. 1t was for this We have repu-
lated cunning politicians who once stood
Ugh in the Republican party. 1t is for
lis that we advocate every possible legal
form which will disinfect the Re-
ublican party and continue it to be
hat the President of the United States
'serts it shall be, not only a
arty of established principles, but
party honestly and wisely administered.
hall the party lose its power and popu-
rity through the selfish devices of few
'rrupt men? Shall fifty thousand color
men lose their right Of voting for the
shonest gains of selfish spectators?
3 by 10 means admit that Democrats
e superior in public virtue to Republi-
ms, but as the latter are responsible for
1blic administration we prefer to disin-
ct the political premises lest it be taken
way and let to Democratic tenant. Let
e disinfection 60 on.