New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-03-16
IN CHARGE.

From the denunciation of the electoral
report as a most infamous fraud, the
Democratic correspondents have come to
recognize the administration of President
Hayes as a fixed and acceptable fact.
They have even taken charge of its policy,
and defend some of its Cabinet nomina-
tons. They take stand in front of the
Cabinet with a sort of "touch it if You
dare" expression of countenance, and
have opened FIRE upon the force which has
Just defeated them, and from the very
vantage ground on which they recently
surrendered. 1t is thus that battles have
been sometimes delivered on the same
field, with an exchange of positions. In
this case as in others the Democracy will
have choice of ground, and experience
the ignominy of having made the strong
est position untenable. Upon what do
they hang their hopes? Upon discussion
among Republicans as to the best means
of making their victory permanent. There
may be a warm consultation on this as
in all councils of war, but though the
prisoners may be within hearing of the
discussion, it will neither revoke their
parole nor grant them the campaign. The
Republicans have had an example of
what these political Jesuits would do.
When President Johnson set up his policy
against the principles of the Republican
party, he received assurances of q peace
full South. Where are those whom he
pardoned for what he called their
"treason2" They have long since relapsed
into Democracy; they have long ago con-
WINGED their friends that they were only
maneuvering for a position from which
they could infict more injury upon the
Republican party. They have long since
atoned for any supposed dereliction by an
enhanced devotion to the cause of De-
mocracy.
If the President demanded any further
example of the insidious designs of these Sc
cret and sworn foes ofrepublicanism it may
be found in the campaign of the white hat.
The national Democracy supported Hor-
ace Greeley with his proclamation that he
had changed in nothing. He was an
Abolitionist, protectionist, Unionist.
They accepted all. Yet the same men,
North and South, now denounce the Re-
publican party, and would last week have
overthrown the Union rather than allow
it to continue in the hands that saved it.
President Hayes will not expect those
men to respect any political pledge that
does not inure to their benefit. They re-
quire him to make the first ''step to meet
the South" as the price of step to meet
him. We do not at all stand on the etiquette
of this meeting, but we will tell the Presi-
dent what that First step" means. 1t is
to leave the Republican State government
to defend itself against armed Democ-
racy. 1t is to appease those who have de-
intrusting them with the administration
of his patronage at the South. The
President needs no admonition upon this
point There is no danger that he will
allow thems to take charge of his policy
or of his patronage. He will not act
precipitately, but he will not listen to
the pretended approval of those who have
but one political object-the ruin of the
administrati on and the dispersion of the
Republican party. Our Interpretation of
this executive deliberation is that he is
making inquiries with view to sustain
the executive elect of Louisiana and Caro-
lima by assuring their administration the
support of such State and Federal ap-
pointments as will satisfy all conservative
people, and extinguish forever the Jesuits
of the last ditch. Let our friends be in
no fear that the Democracy have any part
or lot in the administration. The counsels
of the President are directed to the surest
measures for their defeat. 1t will be SO
found when the facts shall be made
known. Our friends should not forget
their apprehensions-and even their suspi-
cions-when Republican Senators advo-
Gated the Electoral Commission. We
have been satisfied that they had reasons
of which we were ignorant. Let us not
then, entertain or express any hasty opin-
ion, for whatever may be the impression
of the momont there need be no fears
that the Republican administration will
be given in charge to its deadiest oppo-
nents