New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-02-10

achievement of its great mission. 1t was
not realized by the emsncipated that free
dom is but the first step Of progress.
That for an infant to attain the age of in
heritance is often but to present tempt
alton to vice and prey to evil advisers.
Liberty is Of priceless value, but the gift
must be guarded with intelligent vigil
ance. 1t seemed to be the opinion Of
large part of the emancipated that this
gift of freedom implied the utility to
maintain its full and equal enjoyment
Some seemed to think that it supplied
the want of knowledge, of experience, and
even of character elevated to political
equality, with a political obliteration of
color. 1t has been thought by many
proper to continue this distinction of race
by demanding partition of political au-
thority on the bssis of color alone.
The Republican party is now passing
through a period Of difficulty which
threatens its very existence. The attack
has not been made upon its principles.
They are the established doctrine OF the
Union. The sole arm and argument en-
ployed by our enemies, the only cause of
apathy among our friends arises from q
systematic defamation of Republican men.
There has been every Indication both in
the history of the past and the occur
rences of the present, that the only differ
ence between the bad material of the DEM
ocratic and Republican parties consists
in the fact, ss the one or the other may
have the opportunity to demonstrate its
wickedness Tweed, as a robber of mill
lions, wasA Democrat with opportunity,
How many of the same party are famish-
ing in the hope of exercising the
same rapacious talent we hope may
never be ascertained at the cost of
the national treasury. But the Repub-
ican party, and especially the MANU-
mitted millions, have required and now
demand defenders.
The construction of the electoral COM
mission may involve che liberties of q
large part of the Republicans at the
South. Yet we are compelled to say with
regret that there does not seem to be one
Republicanmember Of either house of Con-
gress or upon the Supreme bench who rep
resents with ability tbs Republicans of the
South. On the other hand, many of the
ablest, most active and most embittered
enemies Of emancipation represent the
emancipated districts. Shall we name
some of these last? Gordon, Lamar,
Tucker, Hill, Reagan, Singleton. Where
is the Republican champion from the
South2 We have seen none ascend above
the consequence Of witness against the
persecution to which the party has been
subjected. We have been ashamed to
see men creep into the confidence of the
party who would have been base
enough to betray it The Repub-
licans of the South must profit by
this experience. They must arouse to the
consciousness that their capacity for self
government is now upon trial. 1t would
be sad consequence Of impolicy if they
stand mute in incapacity to defend them
selves, shall be adjudged unfit for free
dom, and remanded to the political tutel-
age of those from whom they have been SO
recently rescued. The REPUBLICAN has
heretofore taken the responsibility Of inn
pressing those truths upon the party. It
has reminded the Legislature that tine
representative Of State in the councils Of
State should beno common or average man.
A Senator must have 8 far higher capacity
than to answer roll call Of party and sign
the pay roll Blows must be given and
taken. Principles must be c0mprehended
and maintained. It is no more reasonable
to expect Republicans from the North and
West to defend our character than to rely
altogether upon soldiers from the same
quarter to protect our lives. II Is an
unequal contribution 10 the support Of q
party. and must weigh heavily upon the
Republican statesmen who have enough
to do as the representatives Of their own
people, without being the standing attor-
neyB Of ougE Southern Republicans
should no longer be burden and charge
upon the national party. The same prin-
ciples which govern the choice Of public
men should be adopted here as elsewhere
Representatives in the Legislature and
candidates for Office should not be elected
merely because they can command votes
in nominating convention. We need
soldiers, not invalids, and no man should
be inspected into party service unless he
is emphetically ct for duty. When we
regard The ability, zeal and influence Of
our opponents, we fesl that a great error
has been committed IN supposine that
slavery ceased with emancipation, OK chat
discomfort disappeared with amnesty.
We are very tired Of appearing by at
torney before the bar Of The world, aad
insist upon q republican system more just
70 oar party and lis principles. The Re
publieans Of he South should haslen to
oorEeet The anforlunais erEor Of commit
ing its interests % psrsons incon peteni
10 defend them. Il ahonld hasten 10 unite
"a any serious reforms and destroy
all Endorsements 70 The pusnia cf oslice Al
irade II should dsmonairnts. a II
readily nay. that nepubliean doosrinss
and Republican enss can alone redeem
che South ton i'a Industrial dersn danca