New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-12
SIGNS OF A pRAoEABLE CANVASS.

We feel encouraged. by the manner in
which our ticket has been commented
upon by the truly representative Demo-
cratic press, to hope for more peaceful
DAYS to come; that our next election WILL
be conducted as American political con-
tests ought to be, that if there be any
war it will be one merely of Ideas ana
the only weapons employed the legitimate
ones-words We, on our part, lnvite
arguments. An intellectual combat be-
tween men who can keep their temper Is
at once honorable, manly and patrlouc.
Even the most insidious persuaslves are
admissible: and somewhat exaggerated
pictures of the merits OF favorite candi-
dates are to be expected. If this be not
carried to the extent Of nauseating it is
rather agreeable than otherwise, even IN q
political opponent
Our candidates have been, as general
thing, spoken kindly of by the opposition
press. Three of them-Messrs. Packard,
johnson and Hunt-have been specially
referred to as gentlemen OF known per-
sonal integrity; and Messrs. Antoine.
Brown and Honore are admitted to be
well enough-for colored men. OF course
it goes against the grain Of the ''best
friends of the negro" to see four of that
race preferred on the State ticket out OF
seven, and they can not altogether con-
ceal their prejudices. even when taking
what they mean to be perfectly fair re-
view of the political field. But it is some
concession in a Democrat to admit so
much in favor of the three nominees for
the very important Offices of Governor,
Auditor and Attorney General, and so lit
tie that is disparaging of the others. And
when We consider that the objections,
such as they are, refer to race and politics
more than the personal untitness Of the
nominees, it will be conceded that our
opponents have generally treated US fairly.
Such spirit, if continued throughout
the canvass, will divest it Of much OF that
bitterness, that personal antagonism-
sometimes leading to fatal consequences
which have too often characterized our
political contests. We can pledge the
Republican party for peace. 1t is strictly
in accordance with the interests, inclina-
tons and habits of the majority OF the
Republican party to submit all their dit
ferences with their fellow-men to the ar
bitrament of the laws fairly administered.
If our opponents will adopt the same
policy, there will be neither necessity
nor desire for national protection. The
Democratic orators and writer's may make
the very best possible showing for their
cause and their candidates, and afterward
90 their ways in peace; they may freely go
to the polls and fairly vote without let or
hindrance and have their votes made ef-
fectual for the men of their choice; and
if they concede this same right to others,
there will be neither motive nor wish for
the returning officers to reject ballot boxes
on account of fraud. The Baton Rouge
convention will have it in its power to
select men of such character as will
insure perfectly honorable contest;
men whose record will be a guar
antee that political animosities and per-
sonal enmities growing out Of them will be
forgotten in the moment OF victory.
1t is the settled policy of the Union Re-
publicans to amnesty their prisoners with
out ransom, and restore them to full citi-
zenship upon the simple condition OF
future good behavior. Perhaps the Dem
ocrats, being American citizens also,
would adopt this same humane policy IN
case they should come into an opportunity
to try. But We can not forget that threats
have often been made in the name Of the
party not consistent with this hopeful
view. Punishment, Imprisonment, even
death, have been promised in advance
against the whole Republican party, di-
vided into the three classes of negroes,
scaIawags and carpet-baggers, when ''the
people succeed III coming into what is
grandly stated to be ''their own heritage, =
viz: the possession Of political power.
Such threats, though perhaps idle and
unauthorized, have heretofore had the
effect to unite the Republicans as in
desperate life or death struggle.
Leaving out of view, therefore, the
questions Of policy and principle which
divide the two parties, and considering
alone the relative merits Of the candidates,
we can safely point to our nominees as
models of integrity and ability, and boldly,
though in the spirit of generous emula'
ion, challenge the Baton Rouge coEven-
10 u to offer us better men. Wehope that
it will give US names as good, SO that the
issue can be squarely made upon the
principles and traditions Of the two great
parties. There are gentlemen identified
with the opposition who are in every way
personally unobjectionable, but it is a
question Of some anxiety and doubt
whether they will be selected as standard
bearers. There are many very able men,
also, WHO, though personally very agree
able gentlemen, yet imbued with the most
pernicious political notions in regard to
the rights and privileges of others; men
bred in a school which ignores the common
rights of humanity to citizens of this
State on account o" race Or nativity. The