New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-13
rCOm muuicated.1
ChanGinG Politics.
EDITOR REPUBLICAN,:

EDITOR REPUBLICAN,
Fos fear many of my race, who have
changed or propose to change their politics
have not read. or having read do not under
stand the St. Louis platform and the letters
of acceptance of Messrs. Tilden and Hend.
ricks, I take the liberty of giving them my
views upon the documents in question, in
30 far a. they relate to us in our political
and personal rights. Mr.. Tlden says in
his letter of acceptance Of the constitution
of the United States, with it's amendments,
universally accepted as final settlement
of the controversies which engendered civil
war, etc: "If the duty shall be assigned to
me, should not fail to exercise the power
with which the law and the constitution of
our country clothe its chief magistrate to
protect all its citizens, Whatever their
former condition, in every political and
personal right" My view is: When a
man seeks or accepts nomination at the
hands of q political body, it is Q virtual
acknowledgment Of the acceptance of Ill
the declarations embodied in the platform
on which he is expected to work if elected,
and any deviation from or enuncistion OF
principles other than those embodied in said
platform is declaration of its incomplete.
ness, or q predispositiOn to deviate from the
he is sought to be elevated. Now, Mr..
Tilden makes each of those declara-
lions wholly on his own responsibility,
as there is not one clause in the St.
Louis platform authorizing him to make
such . declaration, or even suggesting the
views of the nominee. As the only para
graph in the platform in any manner allud-
ing to the late unpleasantness or its conse-
quences and results is to be found in the
second clause of the seventh section. and
entirely alludes to the strife Of the two Sec
Of $ho 1r1snn ouh 6Occ IN,
late to the amendments, what guarantee
have we that Governor Tilden would be
supported, if elected, in carrying out his
views in the premises! None, as I can see.
Certainly not from former precedents, and
certainly not from any guarantee given Us
in the st. Louis platform.
Mr.. Hendricks says in his letter: Gall the
people must be made to know and feel that
If once there is established q purpose and
policy under which all citizens of every
condition, of whatever race or color will be
secure in the enjoyment of whatever rights
the constitution and laws declare or recog-
nize." If in case Of his election, and while
presiding over the Senate, would he be JUS
titled by his party precedents, or by any in
struction embodied in the platform for his
guidance, to cast his vote, in case of tie,
in favor of any measure tending to the en-
forcement of such measures9 I think not;
and all my people would do we'll to CON-
elder these things before casting their votes
for Tilden and Hendricks. I desire it to be
distinctly understood by my people that I
do not advocate race distinctions. I am
only pointing out political distinctions, and
do so solely for the purpose of advising
those who may be disposed to espouse .
cause the tenets of which they may be
ignorant of.
see in correspondence to the vicksburg
Tribune, from Ouachita parish, that my
people have abused and maltreated one of
their race for being Democrat. I advise
them to let them alone, for all such are un-
fit to be Republicans. quote from the
speech of Colonel L. 81. McEnery, and the
comments of the Vicksburg Tribune upon
the affair, to show them what they may ex-
pect from their Democratic well-wishers.
Colonel McEnery said che deprecated
but if the court failed to punish
the offenders, an indignant people would
never again wait for the courts to avenge
such an outrage" The Tribune says: 1--WE
are in favor of protecting every man in his
right to vote, and to vote for whom he
pleases, even if all who seek to abridge
that right have to be hung by Judge
Lynch" If any can show me where they
have shown such zeal in the protection Of
voters, let them answer.
ANGUS.