Year: 1872

From the Opelousas Journal


1t is said that nations, unlike indi-
1 viduals, profit nothing by experience
4 and observation.


| The truth of this remark, as appli-
cable to political parties, has often


been illustrated in this country. Men
| IN collective capacity seem at times


to lose sight OF the lessons of history,
OF the plain teachings of common
sense and duty, and yielding to the
impulse of passion and prejudice,
they become "blind leaders of the
| blind.n


Take for single example the last
act of the Whig party-a political
party whose public history has Illus
trated in an eminent degree the vir-
tues Of conservatism and patriotism.
At critical moment, when, TO all
/ unbiased thinking men, the fate of
the nation seemed to hang on the re-
suit of Presidential election-cer-
| tainly the preservation of principles
/ then held by united South to be as
valuable as the Union itself, depended
on this contest-this great and time
honored party, clinging to the tradi-
tlons and party usages OF the past,put
forth the Bell and Everett Presiden-
tial ticket. The fatuity of the move
was apparent to all, save themselves,
before its disastrous failure. That
failure was, in a political sense
donble crime. 1t resulted in the
downfall and disruption of the last
remnant of the Wing party and
turned the Government to men who
gave as little quarter to them as they
did to Democrats, and that one great
failure to accept the duty of the hour
dimmed an illustrious record and is
bearing bitter fruit up to this very
hour.


Twelve years roll around and a
parallel exigency presents itself.
VIII history repeat itself, or will the
Democratic party seize the golden OPP
portunity offered them of doing the
country a great and lasting service
Will they go into this Presidential
contest, within party lines on party is
sues and with a party nomination in
the facelof certain defeat and disso-
luton, or will they choose that plain
course pointed out by patriotism,
duty and honor? a5'


Let it be hoped that there is wis
n that gfest Paftg C. cconffol its ae
tion at this juncture, upon which
hangs the integrity of oar institutions
and the welfare of the whole people.
Let it not be written in history that
the Democratic party, like the Wing,
died in the vain effert to rule or ruin.
Let them recognize the fact that there
are but two important issues III this
contest, for the consideration of the
Southern people at least, amnesty and
honesty, and that the price of these
great boons is the exercise of little
forbearance and moderation.


If however the advice of extreme
politicians is needed and party organ
ization is be to maintained at the sac
rifice of every valuable and patriotic
consideration, and if the National
Democratic Convention deliberately
plan and consummate the defeat of
the Liberal movement by a party
nomination and campaign, then by
the Judgment of all good men through
out this Union, they will have richly
merited the swift, sure and final de-
struction which will come upon them.


No man, whose opinion is worth
anything, doubts the success of the
Liberal party if the Democrats CO.
operate with it, neither can there be
a doubt of Grants election ifthe Dem
ocrats put forth ticket--how then
can there be question as to the just,
the honorable and the patriotic
course for this great national political
party to pursue?


Let the men who will control its
action remember that, as individuals
are held to accountability for their
deeds, so are political prrties; that
moderation, honesty of purpose and
self-abnegation are recognized and
appreciated, whether these virtuesare
illustrated by the lives of individuals
or the conduct of political bodies;
and finally, let them not forget that
the sincerity of their demands for
reform, for the conservation of the
rights of the States, for the removal
OF the disabilities imposed by Con-
gress on Southern citizens, for honest
and economical administration of the
National Government is now upon
trial-upon them rests the response
bilitv Of the success or defeat of these
measures, and upon their decision
will hang any future claim they may
make to the favor and support OF the
people.