The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-02-24
REORGANIZATION OF THE DEMOC-
RACY.

cisions in the cases of Florida and Lou
isiana. that the Tribunal was revolu-
tionary organization; that its mission
was, not to settle the presidential issue
upon the law and facts involved, but, In
defiance of law, facts and justice, to
count in Hayes and Wheeler. The de-
moralization and CONSERVATION which
disorganjzed the ranks OF the victo-
rious Democrats in the presence OF
the conspiracy which the Tri-
bunal has done 80 much to
consammate, is one Of the most
extraordinary and disgraceful things In
the history of political parties. On the
8 eventh Of November the Republicans
were decisively beaten; they literally
conceded their own defeat; the party
which for sixteen years had ruled the
country with an iron hand; which had
scourged and desolated the South;
which had carried on gigantic war to
save the country, and which had spent
ten years In ruthlessly plundering the
country it had saved, was beaten at the
polls, repudiated by the people, demon
allied and on the very eve Of breaking
UP. The Democratic party, on the
other hand, which. driven from
power in 1861. had for sixteen years
existed In disgrace - almost by
sufferance-w triumphant; it had
elected its chosen leader Presi-
dent; the people had gathered again
under its standard and conflded to Its
hands their liberties and their happi-
ness. This was an extraordinary
spectacle. It was indeed revolution.
But it was a revolution such as the
world had seldom IL ever seen before.
It was a revolution accomplished
through the forms and in the
spirit Of the constitution and the
laws; accomplished by peaceful
measures and by the fundamentally of
the ballot box. It was the noblest and
grandest refutation Of all the ISLANDERS
upon, and sneers at, republican govern
ment--a splendid illustration of the
capacity OF the American people for
self-government. and throughout the
whole country there was rejoicing and
hope.
But In few weeks the whole situa-
ton was changed. A few daring and
INSCRIPTIONS leaders OF the Repub-
lican party determined that the adj
ministration should not pass into DEM
ocratic control. They disputed the re-
suits OF the election In three States and
threatened to resort to violence and
revolution to maintain the ascendency
of Republicanism. The rank and file Of
their own party stood astounded at
their audaoity, and Gov. Hayes himself
quailed before the terrible and ire
mendous issue his partisans were rails
ing.
Had the Democratic leaders then
been equal to their positions; had they
met threat with threat; had they been
as bold and audacious In maintaining
the rights Of the people, Of which they
had been made the custodians, as Zach
Chandler and Don Cameron were in
moving to trample upon them; had
they been as ready to fight for the
maintenance Of the constitution and
the rights OF the States as John Sher-
man and O. P. Morton were to fight to
destroy both, the greatest and most in
famous conspiracy Of modern times
would have been strangled in its infan-
cy; its leaders would have been ban
ished from public life, and it's advocates
forced to skulk away from the public
eye.
But a panic seems to have taken COM
plete possession of the Democratic
leaders; instead Of advancing like VIC
tors, they broke and retreated like
a panic-stricken band Of guerillas.
From the time the Conspiracy first ex-
posed its purpose up to the counting Of
the vote Of Oregon, the Democratic
leaders took no bold or manly course
to defeat it. Their timidity; their vaeil-
latiens; their disorganization, struck
terror to the hearts Of the Southern
States which had stood through adver-
sity and defeat swith the Democracy,
and which had staked their hopes OF
relief from carpet-baggery upon its
ANAL success. Decentralization, indeed,
spread through the ranks Of the party
in every section and State of the Union,
and the South naturally felt that it was
time for her to cut loose from all ma
tional party ties, and stand prepared
to use her power In Congress to make
such combinations, leagues and alli-
ances as would tend to protect hel
liberties and promote her material in
terests.
This is the position of the South now
especially is 1t the position of Louisi.
ana. We notice, however, within the
last day or two, manifestation Of some
spirit Of resistance in the Democratic