The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-05-01

The campaign of 1876 was q campaign
conducted by the Democrats in the in
terest OF reform. The candidates nomi-
mated were understood to be reform can
didates. The platform pledged the party
and its leaders to the broadcast and most
sweeping measures Of reform. From
town and country the demand for reform
went up, and even our banners and
transparencies were blazoned with
the shibboleths of reform. In every
neighborhood of the State the
standard, of reform was raised and
the gospel Of reform preached.
The people were in real sober earnest.
They had endured many years OF cor
rupt and profligate government, and
during full decade they had seen only
the worst, most corrupt and incom-
petent men In public station. 1t is not,
strange, therefore. that they joined In
camp ign for reform with the zeal and
enthusiasm Of crusaders and neither Is
1t strange that they have become i'm
patient to realize the results for which
they struggled, and which they believed
they were to enjoy in the triumph of
the Democratic Conservative party.
The Reform government was elected
and early In January last organized. 1t
has, therefore, been in existence nearly
four months, and although the meas
ures adopted by its Legislature have
provided for saving to the people
of the city and State Of something
over million Of dollars annually,
there has been great deal done in the
administration Of the government not
In line with the platform and cam
paign on and through which 1t was elect
cd. The people, indeed, have expressed
almost angry dissatisfaction with some
of the measures OF the Legislature and
the Governor, and we are forced to
say that we ourselves have not ap-
proved or endorsed much Of the work
ings OF the policy adopted.
1t would, however, be the heighth Of
injustice to render judgment at this
time upon all the acts OF the new govern
ment. No set of men, perhaps, were
ever surrounded by graver or more nu
merous difficulties. It Is needless here
to recite those difficulties; they are ia
maliar to every man, woman and child
in the Union. The highest wisdom and
the NEST exalted virtue might have
stood appalled, at the task of establish
ing free government, and organizing
a full and complete policy Of govern
mental reform under such circum-l
and it would be, it seems to |
us, simple folly to hold those upon
whom we placed the terrible RESPONSE |
,bility Of that situation, to rigid accoun-
liability for every act they did, threat
ened. as we were, from without, hanging |
upon the perilous edge Of internal revo-
ution, with falsehood, intrigue, hypoc-
risy, and every other Infamous agency
OF politics and damnable device of con-
spirators to be met and thwarted at
every step and in every hour of that
long, weary and distressing period of
four months.
We will not stop to inquire whether a
policy other than the one pursued might
not have been adopted. There are wide
differences of opinion on that question
and our judgment we do not hesitate
% saw was for a different line Of action.
Nevertheless, we are out Of the carpet
,ag era, and now thanking God for it,
ve are not disposed to quarrel about the
ray We got out.
What Interests us now is the policy Of
he future. 1t cannot be said that Gen.
Ticholls has been the free and fully re-
ponsible Governor Of Louisiana until (