New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-01-21
The nIoderate Element b the SCUM.

We are not inclined to exaggerate the i'm
portanCe of the frequently-recurring talk
about the strength of the conservative ele-
ment in the Southern Democracy or the IN
fluence it will exert upon the future of par
ties. There are, undoubtedly, certain facts
which indicate the value Of this element
as a check upon partisan violence. For
example, the resistance offered in the
party caueuses TO the insane demand for
the Impeachment of the President, and
to the revolutionary programme laid
down by persons who are understood
to enjoy Mr.. Tilden's confidence, had
q double value. 1t directed attention to
the danger incident to the policy of the
Tilden managers, and it proved that for
Whatever lawlessness may be manifested,
either in connection with the counting of
the presidential vote OF the Inauguration of
Mr.. Hayes, men like Messrs. Hewitt and
Wood must bear the responsibility. Again,
the South has held aloOf from the demon
stratiOns which have taken place within
the last few days in support of the avowed
purpose to inaugurate Tilden at all haz ards.
On the other hand, it Is impossible to ig-
more the evidence of Democratic unity,
under the guidance of the most objection
able men, in Southern States whose former
political history suggests the presence Of
the moderate element in more than ordinary
force. Take Tennessee rs an illustration.
the vote for Bell exceeded by some thOus-
ands the vote tor Breckenridge, and came
within 5000 or 5000 Of the Breckenridge and
Douglas votes combined. Probably in no
other Southern State are the old Wings
more numerous in proportion to population,
OF more influential in their business and so
eial relations. That they care very little
for Mr.. Tilden we can easily believe. But
in State matters they are In accord with the
II IL H.
aiding In the election to the United States
Senate of OEs Of the most infamous Of the
rebel leaders. There can be little solid
ground for reliance upon the conservative
tendencies Of politicians who are not
ashamed TO inYest Iaham g. Harris with
the power Of the Senatorial position. The
case is even worse in Louisiana, where In
1860 the BFeekinridge Democrats outnum-
bered the Wing supporters Of Bell BY not
ment might be looked for there, If anywhere
in the South. What sign have we Of
its existence nOWf We may aequit
it Of active participation In the Grimes
which disgraced the Democratic party dur
ing the canvass. But who hears Of it at
this moment e. 9 foree apart from the most
violent Of the DemOeraey3 The whole
party, whether originally Wings or Demo
Gratis, are responsible for the revolutionary
proceedings that have taken place in New
Orleans. It ID idle to pretend that we may
trust TO the moderation Of any portion Of
the Louisiana Democrats, when all Of them
are lsagued together to overthrow the
legally elected Governor, to overaWe the
legally organized Legihlature and to trans-
fer the functions Of government TO men
who, under the law Of the State, have no
right to them. We might follow out the
argument BY adducing the record Of Vance
in North CarOlina-a man - obnoxious
90 every honorable sentiments ns Ksham
Harris, yet who, like him, could never have
attained to his present position without the
help Of the Democrats whose antecedents
faver the presumption that they would be
on the side Of loyalty and moderation.
Ibese anomalies are net incompatible
with the attitude assumed By Influential
Southern Democrats il Congress. We see
nothing TO justify the fear that, Ii the event
Of trouble over the counting Of the prsai-
Dental vote. tbs Southern whites would 70
spond to the ineendiary appeals Of their
Noxthern allies. Their rejection Of revolu-
tionary oouns8ls Il 70 large extent the 70
salt If their experience Of civil war, but it
also proceeds In q minor degree from their
disposition 70 subordinate National concerns
to the oonosrns Of theif respective States,
Had bargaining bean IN order, nnd had the
looal Democratic managers beon left to
themselves. no one can doubt that IN South
Carolina. Louielana and Florida the suc-
cess Of the Republican electoral ticket
would have been acqulnsced n without 8
masmur, Ii return tor the acooptaneo Of
The Democratic STATE tickets. The fn,'t car
not b. REGARDED - Q toEan Of moderation,
8taIl lee 81 & proof Of willingness 10 aban-
lou l1t DanooraIIE party. 10 proves aim
ply that che Sonthern whites aat iaf1nt
upon ecquiEiHg, above ali other thlnEs, ab-
lolate pppremeeS in re EoPernnspi 81 lhelE