New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-09
DEMOCRATIC BID FOB CONSERVATIVE
SUPPORT,

DEMOCRATIC BID FOB CONSERVATIVE
SUPPORT.
A memorial has been addressed to Con-
gress asking that the Democratic party
may s'be released from the grasp of the
lawless usurpation." We pdss the en-
phatic testimony of Hons. Messrs. Gibson
and Levy, going to show that Congress
considers the stability of the Kellogg ad-
ministration conceded fact. We merely
refer to the declamatory and defamatory
assertion by the Bourbon element that the
compromise did not recognize the State
| administration. We offer the irrefutable
argument that if the compromise only
gave the Democratic party the control OF
the House of Representatives, no Dem
| ocrat would ever have been enraged
at an act which did no more than give one
body of the Legislature to the Democracy,
with an open right to continue the con-
tumely as to all other departments of the
government; and yet it is notorious that
the Democracy did denounce the compro-
mise.
We can not rely upon the fact that the
Democratic members of the House, with
several in the Senate, have been seated
under that compromise; hold their COM
missions and draw their pay under the
authority of the Returning Board Is it
right they should do so and yet denounce
the power that commissioned them as
"a usurpation." The compromise would
have been foolish and futile on the part
of the Republicans if it did no more than
give the Democracy additional means OF
agitation. It would be void for total
failure of conside ration. If it did mean
more, then the Conservatives should be very
careful how they trust party which thus
repudiates contract to fulfill any condi-
tons for Conservative services to be rem
dered in the ensuing campaign. The
Conservatives may find themselves COM
mitted to another campaign of violence.
These Conservatives are in great part
merchants and planters, and in this Ca
pacity may look forward to long sum-
mer of non-interceurse among our people,
of fear on the part of the capitalists,
of abject terror to the unarmed laborers,
and an open menace to any stranger who
does not pledge unqualified submission to
Democratic demands. This is the sole
issue proposed by the Democracy In the
ensuing campaign. The persifage about
economy furnishes no issue. The Gov
ernor of Louisiana has challenged the
Democracy to enter the lists Of reform.
He is willing to renounce much of that
municipal patronag &c SO unwisely cast
upon the executive department before ne
was called to perform its duties. He will
cut down salaries like cane stalks; he will
abate his own compensation and that OF
other officers, State and municipal He
has proved himself q reformer, by reduc-
ing the debt and taxes upon property. He
now asks the cooperation Of the Democ-
racy for further economies and reform. We
have right to suspect that Democracy
does not wish an abat ement of executive
patronage, or reduc ton of official sala-
ries. 1t wishes to capt ure the offices and
perpetuate the perquisites.
Democracy throws this very empty tub |
Of memorial to Congress which has
declined to consider the complaint, and
which recommends to the Democracy to
acquiesce in the existing State admins
tration.
Do not the Conservatives see through this
translucent veil? The Democracy wish to
prolong the rancor Of the past three
years. They desire to command the aid
Of the Conservative forces to place them
selves in power. This rancor will be in
famed by an issue which has no mean
ing, and can have no other effect than to
give back pay to the Democratic claim
ants of Office.
The Conservatives are entitled to give
heir support to any party they think
proper without being shot or ostracised.
They may await the guarantee of the Re-
publican party before signing the inden-
lures and accepting the handouts Of the
lictatorial Democracy.
If the Republicans can offer nothing
better than a year of bankruptcy and
oloodshed, we should advise the Conser-
vatives to run separate ticket, or stay
away from the polls.
The Democratic convention is a candid
notice to the white and colored Republic
cans of what they are to expect If the
Democracy gains control of the State.
It elected as its presiding officer a gentle
man who honestly proclaimed its object
10 be ga union of the white people OF
Louisiana, and to the marshaling Of these |
people in one solid body, without one single
missing man, against the vile cohorts OF
who are sapping and are con-
tinuing to sap the very life blood Of US.
With this outspoken avowal OF the
color line the colored members of the Re-
publican party can claim no want OF
notice If they are consigned to death or
Acknowledgement. We exhort them to
close ranks and keep step to the march Of
reform. To yield to any persuasion from
q party that SO keeps its compromises is
culpable weakness. To struggle from the