The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-03-20
THE REAL slTUATIoE.

a few days ago we Expressed the
opinion that what the Nichols govern
ment required In this emergency was.
not formal recognition from tho Fed
eral government, but practical recogni.
ton from Its own supporters In the
shape Of the payment OF taxes. we
are glad to see that the taxpayers Of
New Orleans entertain the Same view
OF the situation that We do. a visit to
the office Of Major Burke, the efficient
Tax Collector of the First District. will
convince the most ineredulous skepttc
that the business men OF that district
are coming forward with ooamendable
alacrity and pouring into the Golfers Of
the State the sums assessed against
them, and furnishing the officers Of
their choice with the means wherewith
to put into successful operation the
whole machinery Of government. This
lis real, practical patriotism, worthy OF
the highest praise, and OF more value to
our cause than the most eloquent de-
nunciation of the Packard conspiracy
or the most earnest resolves to " reoog-
nize" only the Nichols government.
Friends in need are friends indeed.
The seyerest test to which @ capitalist
can be subjected is that which involves
the payment OF money. Those timid
and faint hearted persons who adyer-
tise their readiness to pay their taxes
to the representatives OF the Nichols
government when this or that event
shall have happened -that Is to say,
when the Packard edifice shall have
crumbled into dust and there shall be
no other government to demand tribute
sof them. are entitled to no respect
whatever. They are neither warm nor
cold, and therefore neutrals In a con-
test In which every man Of heart and
moral courage should declare his posi-
ton and stand ready to abide the con-
sequences. s.
No one with the least claim to intelli-
gence, and whose judgment is not
warped by timidity resulting from the
grossest and most penuriouss elfishness,
entertains mt this moment the least
doubt of the permanency and perfect
stability OF the Nichols government.
Every Reasonable person understands
that If there had been any purpose on
the part of the Federal administration
to recognize the gubernatorial preten-
sions o. Packard, some steps In that
direction would long since have been
taken by Mr.. Hayes. It is patent to all
that the recognition OF this claimant
would be regarded by the country at
large asa violation Of solemn pledges
made on behalf OF Mr.. Hayes and with
his knowledge and sanction, as q con-
sideration for the abandonment Of fac
tious opposition by the Democracy to
the counting Of the electoral vote
! pledges which were approved by the
ruling elements Of the Republican party
and the violation of which would effec-
tually defeat the very object which Mr..
Hayes hopes to attain by his Southern
!. policy, namely, the support Of his ad
ministration by majority Of the Ameri
can people. No one realizes more fully
than he does the embarrassment result
ing from the fact that he came into
power as the representative OF minori
fy OF the voters Of the country. He feels
very keenly the flaw in his title to the
presidency, and wishes to cure that de
feet by pursuing such policy as viii
disarm criticism and gain for him tn,
passive, ii not the active. support Of tina
assolid South which turned the soal'
against him in the presidential election
This cannot be attained by any halfwa.
measures. The necessities OF his posi-
lion demand that bis conduct be char
acterized by the mosr perfect good faitl
and the utmost sincerity OF purpose
The least departure from that policy 9
non Intervention In the political affair