The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1877-06-30
The Citizen and his Dmty.

alone" This is remark often made,
and repeated by those who do not know
its full meaning. We assent to the
proposition that the people should at
tend to their business, but regard poll
tics as most important branch of that
business and think it should have a
large share of the attention of every
citizen. z
Until recently the people of the South
have been forced by the policy Of the
general government to Withdraw or
withhold their attention entirely from
the general interests of the country
and compelled to concentrate all their
powers in a sectional fight with the
North for bare existence. To-day we
see the sectional line vanishing all the
states equally respected by the general
goverpDent, and the people of the South
once more in position to exercise with
freedom the duty of citizens of the
Union. This proud position has not
been attained without prolonged
and severe struggle which mustSadd to
our appreciation of its value, and our
appreciation of this citizenship is to
receive its strongest illustration through
the manner in which we receive and
treat the attempt at standardization
now being made by men who prefer
lf-aggrandisement to the good of the
people. ..... ....... .s:. ~
When the highest Office in the gift of
the people has been almost within the.
grasp of an old politician it is difieultto
give the reader any idea of the reluc-
tance with which he temporarily aban-
dons his claim, and it must be painful
indeed to contemplate the agony of his
great soul sinking to the very depths
of despair when he is forced finally to
abandon all hope of realizing the COW
eted homer. We do claim to appreciate
in some degree the chagrin and mortl-
fication of Senator Morton, who so con-
.fdently expected the Cincinnati noml-
nation, and must confess an admiration
of his persistency undaer adverse circum-
stances. But we cannot commend his
attempt to sectionalize the politics OF
the country and trust that our people
will not accept the part he has assigned
them in the quarrel. *~.,-.-s.
Taking practical view Of the situa-
ton, | would ask: What must be
the inevitable end of of a sectional
quarrel! And can it be doubted that
the North will unite against us ii
we push our claims too far. AS
instance, demandi~sa a southern speaker.
Even the State of New York is Repub-
lican in it's home politics. They have
Ehere, understand, only a Democratic
Governor. Every Northern State, L
b. ,lieve, without exception, is Repuoll-
oa,, in some of it's elective departments,
shoui ,ag an almost equal division OF
nartios where the Democrats can make
anv claim at all, and that very little is
roouiraa to ,'aaan the scale wholly against
them Not so many states North Woaio 11i
have shown Democratic maJorities IN
the last election had the issues been
differant The old Republican politicians
,,nder the corrupting Influences for eight
wears Of the most venal admlhlStfa'ion
that has ever disgraced Ameelc''n ailihis :
had become SO LOST to every sense ~
aecency and honesty, as be unWofthy
the support of the leanest ia the lanu'
Not this alone, but the nnWafrantao,e
and tyranical interference OF thls aa-
ministrafion in the affairs OF tnese
States, forcing our people TO staliu
qnietly by whilst a gang ct thieves oe-
prived them of a livelihood; served 70
condemn it in the eyes Of mankind. l-Lf1i
With these severe and seemingly IN
answerable charges against theni' tne
Republicans to carry almost the sou
North have had only TO arouse tile
North's distrust of the Sos1h, and
nominate for the Presidency man
whose integrity was unlmpeaehaoie
against 4 Democratic nominee OF even
better character. These facts should
warn us to be prudent. The Demo-
Gratis can never again, without extreme
care, bring as strong man as MI.
Tilden into the field under as favor
able circumstances. They are robbed
OF every elementof their former strength.
We are having the civil service re- re-
formed the South has been accorded
all she can reasonably ask, then what
can we hope to gain further by becom-
ing narties to sectional quarrel with
the Republican party of the North
Nothing, absolutely nothing, and let
me assure oar friends that Blaine and
Morton ask no more of us than that we
be as active in this quarrel as our tenn
pers can make us. Then letus accept the
teachings of wisdom and not BY indulge.
ing in recrimination attempt to bulid
ourselves up on the denlirits OF oul
adversary, but rather relying upon thf
Justice and right Of our cause direct o,n
arguments and appeals, based upor
sound principle and laudable sentiment
to the calm Judgment and better natllE'
of AL the people.
To ai,a eur cause and vindicate our
selves in this attack of Morton 's-xlpol
as before t,re people of the country g
large, let no attacks be made upon ths
Republicans as party, for When n w 1
AAi &l,o Rn,,uI1licaYl Marty We attach