New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-03-07

deal of meat and meaning in these words
when uttered by man who has been
thrice the executive head Of great State;
we may suppose them something more
than figures Of rhetoric. With this in
ference of executive intention we have
also the views of the leading organ of the
national Republican party. The New
York Times, under the head of 'sWhat
Can be Done in the South, has the fol-
lowing suggestions;
What the Federal government can do for
the South consists almost solely in filling the
Federal offices in the South wisely, with
men of suitable character, ability and
standing. This is something which under
any circumstances, without any qualifca-
ton, must be done. It will be found work
both delicate and difficult, and it will take
time; but it is absolutely essential. Under
our present system, or under any which we
can hope to have for the next four years,
the Federal appOintees will be essentially
the most prominent political representa-
tives of the Republican party throughout
the South. They ought, therefore, to be
men in sympathy with the general ideas OF
the Republican party, the essence OF which
is the maintenance Of the civil and political
rights of all citizens in good faith. 1t
would be simple folly to waive or seem to
waive that qualification for connection with
the Federal service in any prominent posi-
ton, because it would only lead to com
plete misrepresentation of the spirit of the
| great majority of the people Of the North
| who constitute the Republican party. That
| condition being fulfilled, the Federal ap.
| pointees ought to be men identified, by
solid and permanent interests, and as far
as possible by birth and social and other
| ties, with the portion of the country in
which they are to exercise their functions
They should be men of unquestioned probity
and capacity, and known to be such. They
should not be effice seekers, and they should
not De dependent, if it can be avoided, on
their appointment for livelihood. They
should be held to a rigid accountability for
/ the faithful conduct of their offices, and
they should be required ia all things to
deal in q manner open and above board,
and scrupulOusly fair with all whe have to
do with them. The law should be their
only guide, and anytfg like jobbery Or
prompt removal. ALI these conditions
should be observed wholly independent Of
what the sentiment or conduct of the South
may be. 1t is O duty owed not to that sec
ton only, but to the country, and nothing
can excuse its neglect.
The reader will be impressed with the
identity of these views with those of the
inaugural published a week afterward.
In one particular the same obligation is
made paramount-'the maintenance OF
the civil and political rights of all citizens
in good faith"-correspond exactly with
the duty of .the government ''to establish
the rights of the people it has emanci-
pated, and to protect them in the enjoy
ment of those rights when infringed OF
assailed." The future policy of the Presi-
dent is, then, logically before us. II is,
of course, to guarantee the decision of the
Returning Board; to install and maintain
Governor Packard. 1t is to appoint to
Federal Offices none but such men as the
executive has indicated. It is to sustain
Governor Packard in pursuing a similar
course, and in aiding him to fill State
offices with State Republicans, and by
providing for all proper claims on the
national party by assignment to service
elsewhere than in Louisiana.