The Van Buren Press

The Leading Republican Organ on Carpenter's Speech

[New York Times, Jan. 31.]

Senator Carpenter, while disclaiming any intention of making a speech, began a very able speech yesterday, on what we regard as one of the greatest questions of the day-namely, the condition of Louisiana. He declared that he never could reflect on the position of affairs in that State " without mingled emotions of shame and sorrow"-and we can not doubt that every intelligent man who has examined the subject fully shares his feelings. Look at it in what way you please, no one can deny that, under such a Government as ours, it is a terrible scandal to have a great State kept in the condition in which we see Louisiana at this moment. There are other Southern States which are more or less unfortunate, but perhaps Louisiana is the most to be pitied. Senator Carpenter warns the Republican party that it can not march under this heavy load much longer. For this he will probably be accused of infidelity to his party-for we have apparently arrived at that very dangerous point at which any honest and independent criticism is regarded as an act of treachery. There are foolish members of Congress, even in our own State, who think that it is the duty of a public man or a public journal to register the decrees of a clique, and if a word of protest is uttered they threaten to ostracize the man or abolish the journal. We should like to see these idiots begin their work-at present, everybody of any sense can see that the Republican party must deal with the great questions of the day in a frank and liberal spirit, or be destroyed. Absolute freedom of opinion has hitherto been the salvation of the Republican party. Some of our own precious Congress men would turn over a new leaf, and go in for unlimited despotism. We know what will be their fate-but we are not prepared to believe that the Republican party will consent to share it.