New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-01-07
THE INAUGURATION OF GOVERNOR PACK
ARD.

Tomorrow is the day designated by the
constitution for the Inauguration of Gov
ernor Packard, and the installation into
Office of Lieutenant Governor Antoine.
The one involves a change in the State
administration. The other being merely
formal continuance in Office of man
who for four years has been found worthy,
is very pleasant but by no means signi-
| ficant political event.
Governor Packard is about to be called
upon to take up the tangled skeins of our
State government, and, if possible, weave
wool of peace, stability and supremacy
of law. His inaugural address, which has
already been prepared, will foreshadow
his policy and indicate his views, which
are, however, very well known upon the
leading matters of State policy.
We trust the inaugural ceremonies may
be peaceful, and the rule of the new Gov
ernor quiet and undisputed by any power
more formidable than that of the local
Democracy. He is now the chief magis-
trate of the State, or community, or
municipality whichever it may be) Of
Louisiana, and it is unnecessary for US to
say that all persons within his jurisdic
ton will be, equally with any other, the
objects of his official care and solicitude.
he has no enemies, political, personal or
religious, whom he wishes to pack up
their effects and leave the State. He has
no friends who have any such designs for
the future of their enemies. He will,
therefore, be emphatically the Governor of
all the people, not of part. He is not
stranger to one-half the people of the State,
with a policy inimical to their dearest
interests. Under his administration the
Democrat and the Republican can live
together in amity, with no encourage
ment at headquarters for either to Cypress
the other. Such is the prospect before
the people of Louisiana to-day. What it
would have been if the candidate of the
proscriptive Democracy had been success
full in the last election, we will not pause
to contemplate. General Nichols him
self is represented to US as q most excel
lent gentleman, full of kindly feeling
one who is we'll disposed, so far as it is
possible for Democrat to be, toward his
opponents. He would, if he had a chance,
endeavor honestly to carry into effect his
Thrasonic boast at Baton Rouge, that, if
elected Governor at all, he would not be
subservient to any party, but would be
the Governor of the whole people.
These we're, of course, brave words,
and the gentleman who uttered them
doubtless thought he could make them
good, if he had chance to do SO. Many
people, mere superficial thinkers, be-
lieved in him and his ability to do all he
promised. They seemed to forget the
fact that, though very excellent sort of
man, who has endeavored to do his
duty in small way, as he understands it,
Mr.. Nichols is but a tyro in the craft of
politics-one who can be easily led or
coerced by the perverted sentiment of
which he is votary. Under all the circum-
stances, it would be next to impossible
that Mr.. Nichols would be the real Gov
ernor of Louisiana, even if he had been
so fortunate as to obtain the consent Of
the people. The little ring of Democratic
politicians, some fifteen or twenty in num-
Der, who rule the councils of the party
and set the fashions of political action, as
the favored man milliner of Paris does
the style of bonnets for the femininity OF
the world, would soon teach him the diff
ference between high and honorable re-
solve and practical performance. The
power that made Messrs. Pilsbury, Brown,
Denis, O'Connor and other, Democratic
candidates openly refuse the offered sup
port of fifteen thousand Republican voters
of New Orleans would soon teach Mr..
Nichols that it is one thing to promise
and another to perform. So that, giving
him all credit for full sincerity in his
Baton Rouge declarations, We are satisfied
he would be brought to protest in less
than month if he were to try the expert
ment of administering the duties Of chic
magistrate of this State.
We may note in. this connection some
rumors that it is the intention of the rule
or ruin party which has Mr.. Nichols in
charge to forcibly seize the State House
on Monday, and install their candidate
whether or no. We know nothing Of
that. 1t may or may not be the intent "a
try such a thing. We are reminded By
the teachings of history that the eighth Of
January is an unlucky day for the capture
Of New Orleans. 1t was tEied sixty-two
years ago and failed. The loss Of the as
sailants, especially in leaders, was very
great. The assault was repulsed, and
the whole enterprise soon after aban
doned. We have very little doubt that
history viii repeat itself if the expert
ment be repeated tomorrow.
Let rs hope, then, that there will b,
no armed opposition to the quiet installa
ton of the new administration. That nj
hostile mob, made up of those who hav
failed to obtain political employment, viii
make the rash attempt TO accomplish by
force what they have failed to secure by law
full and peaeeabIe means. Let Us hope tina
the Governor Of this commonwealth vii