New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-03-23
THR nOFl[TsRION.


common opposition than that of sending
among them party of respectable gem
tlemen, charged with the duty of deter
mining upon the comparative legality of
two claims to the government of the State.
On the part of the Republicans a decision
adverse 10 that of the law upon which
they stand would involve the loss of po-
litical rights, of social and business ostra-
cism, of exile and even Of life. On the
part of the Democracy it would be to tear
the half-eaten morsel Of political pay
from the famished jaws of inscriptions
desperation. Upon the consequences to the
Republicans we have the united and en-
battled declaration, that, according to the
statement of q gentleman known TO be in
the confidence of the Nichols govern
ment-
We have accepted their proposition in
good faith and rigidly complied with our
portion IF the agreement. Ii the promises
given be complied with, well and good, but
if there be any evasion, we have seven
thousand armed and disciplined men who
will insist upon no breach of good faith.
We ask, then, what is to become of Re-
publicans if the Nichols government be
set up with this standing army to execute
its orders2 If the government of the
United States does not give its protection
to the Republicans now, of what avail
will its promises be hereafter There will
be nobody left to protect. All who stand
to the Republican faith will have been
driven from the State, and the balance
will have taken Democratic protection.
The Republicans can not, therefore, ac-
cept any qualification of their legal rights.
The Democracy will bluff to the last, and
in no event would their claimants of
Office surrender to the decision of the
commission against them.
As any decision Of title could only bind
the Republicans, the commission will find
itself in the position of volunteer arbi-
traitor in case where both parties refuse
to abide by its decision, and protest in
advance against its jurisdiction and its
capacity.
There is one thing a party of Repub-
lican visitors may do with good effect. 1t
may examine the policy and personnel of
the Republican party in Louisiana. 1t
may advise the President how the Repub-
lican party may be strengthened by the
appointment of men above all suspicion
of fraud, identified with local interests,
and capable, by talents and character, to
meet the Democracy in any sort
of competition or combat 1t may
remind the President that the founders
''meant that public officers should owe
their whole service to the government and
to the people, and recommend to him
not to appoint men to office nor to allow
them to retain Office who will sublet their
duties to subordinates and draw the reve.
nues of splendid absenteeism from the
very life-blood of the party upon whose
mistaken benevolence they are subsisting
1t should occur to the commission that il
AuSA NV anu AufSSl tAS4I AOIbuueb III OUT
place and hold Office in another, it would
be better to give them office where they
prefer to live. It will appear, moreover,
to the commission that useless and no.
madic partisans who may press their de-
mands here, may be provided for else
where by the national Republican ad.
ministration. Every position here
can be bestowed upon permanent
citizen useful to the Republican
party. There is no reason and no right
that the Louisiana Republicans should
have to carry all this weight of useless
and even injurious appointments, and it
is respectfully suggested that they be APP
portioned 10 the whole party, and not
saddled as an exclusive burden upon
Louisiana. The commission may relieve
Governor Packard from any imaginary
obligation for Bipartisan service" by quot
ing further from the founders, and ex-
horting him to follow in the light of the
inaugural. The founders, they may tell
Governor Packard, 4held that appoint
ments TO Office were not to be made nor
expected merely as reward for partisan
service; nor upon the nomination of
members of Congress" [Legislaturel. They
may also suggest that the Governor re-
commend an amendment of the law, and
send the election in officers of certain
bulldozed parishes to the people thereof,
thus relieving himself Of responsibility,
and transferring the fight from his ante
room to the parish polls.
The commission will find Governor
Packard disposed to do Of his own accord
everything which will organize the Re-
publican party on the basis of unexcep-
tionabIe official and representative ap-
pointments, but they will fnd himself
and the party that he heads as determined
to maintain their position as the Democ-
raey.
While We would not invite nor indorse
commission coming on the vain errand
Of any compromise which would place The
State at the mercy Of The Democratic
array, wa would welcome any gentlemen
having the confidence Of the President
who should come prepared to inspect the
position ofthe Republican party. and who
should recommend that The President
shall reinforce their position BY an eli
cient use Of bis patronage, and who shall
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