New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-12
RISK 4 GUARANTEE OF RE.
PuBLIOAN SINCERITY.

REPUBLICAN, RISK 4 GUARANTEE VI H.
PUBLICAN SINCERITY.
The Picayune charges us with employ
ing the retort '.you. too, in pall;ation Of
the crimes attributed to certain Repub-
lican officials. This logic does not CORE
spond with the facts. The Republican
press las from the first and in all cases
demanded the prosecution OF all offenders:
l. Because the duration of the republic
depends upon the integrity of its govern
ment.
q Because any man or any party that
paliates the wrong Of rogue becomes
thereby an accessory to the crime after the
fact.
We will give the Picayune and the peo-
pie higher evidence of Republican sin
cerity. The New York Times takes sa-
gacious view in the following paragraphs:
Belknap's crime shows only too plainly
that the process of publication has not
gone far enough; that the demand Of the
party for honest men as its representatives
is not yet sufficiently appreciated-is not,
licans are deeply stupg by the disgrace
which has come upon the administration
put and kept in power by their votes. They
are indignant as we'll az ashamed, and they
will fall far short of their duty to them
selves and to the country if they do not
give practical expression to their indignar
ton.
Republicans should everywhere insist
that in the conduct Of the great campaign
ON which we are entering, only their best
men shall be put forward. On this point
they can not be too earnest. In proportion
as they make excellence of character the
test of their action in every step OF the can
vass, and in proportion as they abide by
that test, cost what it may. they will save
Belknap scandal. What is much more in-
portsnt, they will by this course save the
country from it's repetition in the future
The welfare of the whole nation I'M
doubtedly demands such reputation OF
bad men and such . nomination OF good
men as recomm ended; but the Repub-
licans of the South have special stake in
the continued asce ndency of Republican
principles It is not disputed that certain
corrupt Republican officials have been,
under sense of public duty, prosecuted
by the President. Under these prosecu-
tions there have been convictions which |
excite the surprise and indignation of the
American people. Where the executive |
appoints one hundred thousand Office hold
ers, it is as impossible to guarantee the in
tegrity of all the incumbents as it would be |
to warrant that there was not . coward, q
spy, skulk or deserter in an army of |
the same number. The Republican |
party is, therefore, 4 no more respon-
sible for the misdeeds of Belknap
than Washington was for the treason
of Arnold But suppose Washington
had palliated the crime of Arnold, or
protected Arnold, or failed to publish
him as the villain he was? Then the
fame of Wash ington would have suffered
in the confidence of his countrymen.
Let US suppose that from the clamor of
the Democracy, and for any improvident
apathy on the part Of the Republicans,
The Democracy obtain control of the State
and federal governments. What is the
country to expect? What are the Repub-
Leans of the Southern States to appre-
bend?
We do not feel called on to admit that
he majority of the American people
known politically as Republicans are all
znaves, and still less that the mi
nority of the same people known
Is Democrats are all honest. The
change of party administration would
merely substitute one administration of
.verage ability and integrity for another.
There would be no gain to public morality
rom the installation of reform Demo-
rats over reform Republicans. The De-
nocracy having gained possession of
,ower by professions of superior virtue,
would be in position to carry out their
political and financial principles. What
re these principles?
l. The assertion of the rights of the
states as affirmed before the military set
lement.
2. The repeal of the last amendments
f the federal constitution, with the laws
,assed Hereunder.
The reader will then observe that the 9
uestion whether this is confederacy of !
tates or government of the people would
70 at sea again, and must be fought over c
gain with the tongue and the sword. i,
he most important of these last amend Z
tents and laws to the Southern Repub- n
cans are those which recognize all men i,
) equal before the law and which assure the f
ghts of suffrage and Office to all without e.
kception on account of color or past con- Il
lion. When the social sentiment of the a
orthern Democracy is remembered, and b
hen it is not forgotten that the colored 6,
opulation bestows its vote almost ex- r
usively upon the Republican party, +,
hat so reasonable as that the Democracy, r
,lding control of the State and federal 81
should acquiesce in the re- Sc
al of the political franchises upon which Ii
e power of the Republican party and lie
e rights of its eolored members so to
eatly defends? We find the New York Of
'ophic, in specializing upon the prob e,
lie results of Democratic victory, pre- Of
cts the reputation of State and ma b,
nal debt. This is undoubtedly an OBJ BIZ
It Of apprehension to the capitalists of .,
l. -