Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1851-09-20
ss,h.t constitutes Claim TO suatags7

FVhat Constitutes Claim 80 Sudfags7
The Democrats as a body contead-and we
admit the axiom-that Parish officers should
be elected upon their own individual merits
But, the practice of Conventions, making GER
tain Offices, as they really are. of political in
fuence and Importance, frequently interfere
materially with the wishes and conscientious
impressions of a large number of citizens, who
admit the previous high and commendable
course Of the candidate, as an officer and citi-
zen, his capacity, his stainless integrity, and in
| every respect his entire fitness for the Office,
but, at the same time, feel it incumbent upon
themselves to yield their necks to the yoke of
party, and vote for 4 man, who, their own good
sense tells them, if not entirely incapacitated
for the position he is endeayoring to attain, is
far inferior to his tried opponent in every quail
ity which constitutes fitness or capacity. There
is something decidedly wrong in this, all cor
rect minds must admit it; but, on the other
hand, it is encouraging to know that there are
men in the Parish who are willing to be called
traitors to their party rather than do wrong
and under no garb, traitor or loyalist, will al
low the iron gar0ie to be fastened about their
necks.
Endorsing, of course, the doctrine which the
Democrats claim as heirs-(some of them we
mean, for there are among them high-lninded
and liberal spirits, who admit that the Wings
have some good principles)-th"t merit is the
only claim which a local candidate has upon his
~tellow-citizens, we would humbly inquire what
constitutes merit, or what description of merit
has the greatest claim to support! That which
arises from nothing derogatory to character, or
that which arises from the proved faithful pub
lie servant, of indubitable energy and truth,
who has exhibited his great fitness for his Of
fce' and his Jealous and obliging disposition,
in his private or official capacity? Certainly,
this last description of merit is the most de-
serving of support, not only as q matter of
justice, but of policy. A parish, as a State or
a Nation, acts very indiscreetly when it throws
aside the faithful public servant-one, too, of
unusual ability and ftness-for the untried and
doubtful aspirant. Indeed, what inducement
has an officer to be vigilant, active, faithful and
obliging, if at any moment he is liable to be
thrust aside for some new and untried indiyid-
ual! In public as in private affairs, the work.
man who faithfully does his duty, should he
encouraged, and retained in his situation if he
desires it. 1t is the heighth of ingratitude to
discharge such a man for the services of a
stranger.
"Rotation in Office" is a tremendous princi-
pie among many of the Democrats and to
listen to them, one would think that they were
all born to be public pensioners, and that as a
matter of right, each claims his share of the
public pap! Down with such a disgraceful as
sumption! 1t is, however, nothing more than
q catch-penny paddle-wheel, to shove along
their political barque-a principle containing
in its composition neither Of the elements of
sense or justice, and never has been, and never
be upheld by a majority Of the high mind.
ed and sensible of any party whatever.
The citizens Of this Parish are not so de-
void of intelligence, gratitude, and their own
interests, as to discard the faithful public
servant for reasons alluded to, assisted by the
slang whanging, bush-whacking, tongue-toiling
Of interested political opponents. They
now their interests, both public and private,
nd though they may look on and smile at the
ing exertions of individuals to lead them from
he path of right, and listen to their top-lofty-
ngs, their bravadoes, and their
"Dulcet strains Of song divinew
'et, nevertheless, unconverted into error, and
'ndismayed by such demagogueic tact and mea-
Of talent, they will calmly march to
he ballot-box on the Sd of November next, and
here assist to perpetuate this principle-that,
0 long as a public officer, faithfully, diligently
nd odtigingly performs the duties Of his office,
0 long is he deserving Of the support Of his
citizens! F.,
Mn I1prov 10 Wrer Err,o Tho r o,:,