New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-04-14
THgN AND NOW.

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and take Retrospective view, to survey
the land they have trayersed and note the
progress they have made. The people Of
Louisiana, regarded as two political par
tics, can not look backward for dozen
years and compare their relative positions
then and now but with wonder and adj
miration; wonder at the immense detour
made by the ex-Confederate, Democratic,
white mans party, admiration at the
practical success achieved by the Repub-
lican. This assertion may seem presump-
tuous, even absurd, to those who regard
merely the immediate position of the rep
resentatf9e men Of the respective parties,
but that is small matter. Men live and
die, rise and fall, get elected or defeated,
and sometimes most defeated when le-
gally elected. A true principle once es-
tablished lives forever; and it is in the
practical establishment of Republican
principles in this State that the success Of
RepubLcanism is seen.
A dozen years ago the party which now
calls itself Democratic-Co Conservative, or
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, it matters little
for the order, was and claimed 70 be q
white mans party, and that exclusively.
Deadly hostility to negro citizenship was
the one tie stronger than any other, than
all others, which bound together all those
opposed to Republican sway. The pass
age of the civil rights law by the Congress
was received here with shouts of derisive
rage. Never, never, never, should SO in
famous statute be enforced within the
sacred precincts of Louisiana. Mean
while the Republican party of the State,
then nascent, for its members had hith-
.erto called themselves simply "Union
men," held views far different and much
more advanced. As early as 1854, in the
Constitutional Convention called to re-
organize civil government, an ordinance
was passed authorizing the extension Of
the right of suffrage to such persons, citi-
gems of the United States hitherto dis
qualified, as by military service, by taxa
ton to support the government, or by in
tellectual fitness might be deemed entitled
thereto. In 1866, at the Inflated at
tempt to Ee-assemble this conven-
ton, it was intended to carry
out this provision by an ordinance con-
ferring the electoral franchise upon the
colored people of this State, and the
original draft Of that ordinance is now
before the writer of this article. It was
never acted upon, for the mere suspicion
that such was the intention of the reas-
sembled convention was used to arouse
the fury Of the populace to homicidAl
violence. 1t is needless to enlarge upon
this painful theme. The bloody record
of that tragic day is not solitary one;
other massacres have subsequently dis
graced the history Of Louisiana, and al
ways for the same cause, the stern deter
mination Of the white mans party that
white men alone should rule; that col
ored men should never exercise the rights
Of citizenship in this State. Until within
a comparatively recent date these senti-
ments have controlled this bIood-stained
party, self-styled Democratic, and nothing
but the force of the United States govern
ment has made this State habitable for
those who maintained and upheld the
civil and political rights of the blacks.
Now, however, all is changed. The
Democratic party accepts the constitu-
tional amendments, recognizes the civil
and political rights Of the negro, courts
his vote, and invests him with high
dignities; witness the following extract
from the Baton Rouge platform:
We fully recognize the binding effect Of
the three recent articles of amendment 20
the constitution Of the United States, and
accept the same &c final settlement Of the
controversies that engendered civil war,
and We pledge ourselves to protect every
Citizen In the exercise Of the rights ae-
quired and guaranteed by said amendments,
whatever be his race, color or previous con
dition.
Pretty good republicanism this
Similar language is used by General
Nichols in his letter Of acceptance and in
his inaugural address; likewise, though
somewhat diluted, BY Mr. Witt. These
professions have been followed up by the
appointment Of OoIored men. to respon-
sible positions. in some cases the favored
members Of the heretofore despised race
having no personal claims, mental or
moral, to such promotion except the mere
fact Of being coIored.
What il the cause and what the signiH-
canoe Of this extraordinary change in the
conduct and policy Of the now Conserya-
tive-D Democratic, formerly white mans, ("
partyS Il their conversion to these adj
vanced Republican principles sinceref
Do they indeed recognize in the coIored
race. men and brethren, endowed BY the
same Heavenly Father with the same ha-
man rishtaq viii they continue to nct on
the same principles when. firmly eatab-
iiahed IN power, they can afford 20 show
their real eanlimenia2
These questons ore naturally suggested
I By tho auddennes and greatness Of tha
change pointed oat; end there are many.
especially amone ire more s-aeeing and
inlalligant cqlored men, disposed 70 doubi
tAe ainaesilg Of thees converts, and 70 a.
trbuia i partial adoption Of Repub
liean principles 20 q eradging nnd COM.
pnlspIy aanIen Of lheiI power IS &
lnaaaH of app Is tha nisohinaI7 Of