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

economy in seizing upon the offices OF the |
State by force Of arms. The people Of
Louisiana have had an unexpected OPP
portunity to see that the Democracy are
hungry for office, and have no purpose to
renounce toe patronage, reduce the sala-
ries or discard the perquisites which they
have denounced in Republican hands.
Conservative men have had an oppor-
tunity to weigh the value of professions
and form Judgment of men.
8. The decision has given the Republican
party lesson which should never be for
gotten or repeated. It has seen men
prominent in the councils of the party, re-
warded with its richest offices and its
highest honors, either openly abandon its
cause, or ''laugh at its calamities and
mock when its fear cometh." Several OF
these men stand on . pivot, in personal
and political complexion; they can mix
in and herd with the enemies of Repub-
licanism, and will be undistinguishable
from their associates. The astounding
carelessness of the Republican Returning
Board in admitting to its confidence mis-
creants who would sell the personal honor
of the board for Democratic gold has
proven one of two things-a confidence
in the integrity of their own purposes, or
a general practice of having spies and
knayes put in upon Republican officials
by outside or even by hostile influence.
This uncertainty about the fidelity of
men is evident in the published and con-
fidential letters of Governor Wells he
says:
Let me, my esteemed sir, warn You of
/ the danger. Millions have been sent here
| and will be used in the interest of Tilden.
/ Unless there is some counter movement it
will be impossible for me or any other in
dividual TO arrest its destructive results.
What does this mean? That he fears
some Republican conspirators will sacri-
fee the rights of the Republicans TO the
interests of Tilden. Was he not right in
his estimate of this DANGER Have not
two trusted and confidential employees of
the Returning BOARD itself volunteered to
periure themselves in the interests Of De-
mocracy? Has not one man, spy,
trusted by the Republican government
and intrusted with a confidential COM
munication by Governor Wells himself,
attempted to betray this cOnfdence1
There was truly danger to the Repub-
lican party, and nothing except the integ-
rity Of those faithful and prosecuted men
the Returning Board have saved it from
destruction.
We tell all ''having authority" in the
Republican party, whether ward or State
convention, Governor or other appoint
ing power, that they must nominate OF
appoint upon the basis of integrity and
ability to aid and illustrate Republican
principles. Dead beats with bought
nominations; stupid, ignorant venal and
vicious men put into place to steal on
shares for those that procured them Their
places, or to sell out the party if it pays
better than to serve the party, must be
sent to the rear and kept there. Brokers
in registry and naturalization papers mus
be told that these papers are of no value
until they shall. have passed the scru
tiny of the courts and Con
gress. In few words, the Re
publican party must adopt the Jeffer
sonian test and ask of any applicant fol
: its confidence, SIS he honest Is he ca
psbleP Is he faithful 10 the constitution p
We shall be laughed at for prescribing thil
test. We shall be told that the Democ
} racy have done and will do all that ",
condemn, and that they profit and prospe
by the practice We do not deny this
We know that, so far as the Republican,
have adopted this evil policy, it has beel
copied from the Democracy. But we vii
tell truth equally indisputable. Tn
: Democracy can do much with impunit,
which the Republicans will be slain 70
attempting to do. The Democracy have
: wealth, an ability, a social control Il
which the Republicans IL Louisi
ana do not pretend. Between tw
parties equally corrupt the Democrat
: must prevail, because of these superio
resources. II is. then, only by superio
: strictness in the choice of men, in th
: rigid requirement of honesty, obedienc
to law and good sense, that the Reput
: leans can commend themselves to th
3 property holders and taxpayers Of Lou
{ iaiaua. These are the principal lesson
: taught the Republicans and the people {
Q Louisiana within the few months pas
4 The indispensable importance Of abilit
D and integrity in all men elected or 81
pointed; the danger to any party {
faithless and venal agents; the pOpuls
conviction that the Democratic reformel
Of Louisiana are no better than they haV
falsely alleged the Republicans to be. Il
Us all profit by them.