New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-02-07
AN UNFORTUNATE ERROR.


deed of manumission to millions and of
amnesty to other millions was a full
achievement of its great mission. 1t was
not realized by theemancipated 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 basis 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
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, as the one or the other may
have the opportunity to demonstrate its
wickedness. Tweed, as a robber of mill
lions, was 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-
licsn party, and especially the MANU-
mitted millions, have required and now
demand defenders,
| 4AO COuotAu Va WIG CASSbVAoA WILL
mission may involve the liberties of a
large part of the Republicans at the
South. Yet we are compelled to say with
regret that there does not seem to be one
Republican member of either house of Con-
gress or upon the Supreme bench who rep
resents Variability the 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 last2 Gordon, Lamar,
Tucker, Hill, Reagan, Singleton. Where
is the Republican champion from the
South? 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.
lieans 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 a sad consequence of impolicy if they
stand mute in ineapacity 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 SC
recently rescued. The REPUBLICAN, has
heretofore taken the responsibility Of i'm
pressing those truths upon the party. 1
has reminded the Legislature that tht
representative of a State in the councils o.
: State should be no common or average man
A Senator must have far higher capacit.
than to answer roll call of party and sigr
tine pay roll. Blows must be given ant
taken. Principles must be comprehendei
and maintained. It is no more reasonable
to expect Republicans from the North anC
West to defend our character than to rel,
altogether upon soldiers from the same
quarter to protect our lives. It is al
unequal contribution to the support of (
party, and must weigh heavily upon tn
Republican statesmen who have enough
to do as the representatives of their owl
people, without being the standing attor
neys of ours Southern Republican,
should no longer be burden and charg,
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 ant
candidates for Office should not be elected
merely because they can command vote
in nominating convention. We neet
soldiers, not invalids, and no man should
be inspected into party service unless h
is emphaticaIIy fit for duty. When ",
regard the sbility, zeal and influence 0
our opponents, we feel that great erro
has been committed in surprising tina
slavery ceased with emancipation, OF tina
discomfort disappeared with amnesty.
We are very tired Of appearing by at
torney before the bar of the world, aat
insist upon a republican system more JUS
to our party and its principles. The Re
publicans Of the South should hasten Il
correct the unfortunate error of commit
ing its interests to persons incompeten
to defend them. Il should hasten to unit
in any serious reforms and destro!