Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1853-07-16
Political Reflections.

Is III luis parish, we rear Lnat the next LeglSia'
ture, in point of ability, will be no better thar
the last. Indeed, it seems that the people have
become SO perfectly disguised with the pro
ceedings of their General Assemblies, that they
have got to be supremacy Indifferent as to who
are elected or who present themselves as can
didates for our Notwithstanding pretty
confident in their own minds that matters in
this respect cannot be worsted, and leaving the
evil to remedy itself. .
There seems to be little or no ambition
among young or old to figure as members OF
the Legislature. Where we find gentlemen
aspiring to political honors who have talents
that would make them really useful as repre-
sentatives, it is generally discovered that they
are above bending to such an honor, and either
aim to become a State Senator, Governor,
member Of Congress, or something else that
sounds higher than a simple State Representa-
tive; or if having served in this capacity, one
session is thought sufficient to graduate or re-
commend them for a loftier political distinc~
| ton.
The people themselves, in their party and
| packed Conventions, (and to tell the truth, now.
a-days there is scarcely a Convention held that
is not packed to som extent,) are to blame for
such a feeling and for such a state of things;
and we are afraid that so long as Conventions
are tolerated, there will be no change for the
better. 1t is notorious-in New Orleans in
particular-that mel of the most ordinary ca
| pacities get themselves nominated as candidates
for the Legislature; we say get themselves, for
it is pretty much a business transaction: if the
aspirant has previously worked hard for his
party, spent his money literally, is not wanting
in impudence and a glib tongue, is good drink
er, and on the day of the Convention is active
in mastering his friends together, he is tolera-
bly, sure of getting the nomination over the
head of one of undoubted ability, but who will
not stoop to the chicanery and d%emagoguism
of his competitor. Men whose talents are i'm
disputable, as a general thing shrink from a
nomination for the Representative branch of
the Legislature as from an unexpected and un-
deserved censure upon their intellect and
worth.
When will all this end? When will we have
a Legislature, in point of ability, that will com-
pete with those Of our sister States? Not un-
til the people rise in their wisdom and in their
strength, and disregard all nominations of Con-
%ventions which are not made in reference to
"honesty, capacity and fidelity" and to that
principle alone, irrespective of all other con-
siderations.
The Democrats of this parish have made their
nominations for Representatives to the Legis-
lature. We will not question the capacities of
the nominees: Mr. Brown has previously SER
we'd the people and his acts are before them;-
WOODS is a new man, as yet untried, but
has sufficient enthusiasm to warrant the belief
that he will make an active member. But it is
as we'll to notice the entire want of excitement
or interest respecting there nominations, and
that the gentlemen had no opponents even. 1t
seemed to have been an unsought for and un-
Jared for honor.
But it appeared, that the Office which excl
ed the most contention, in the aforesaid Con-
'ention, which seemed to have more political
and importance connected with it,
been voted for by election precincts,)
md which of all others should have had less
Of politics mingled in it, was that of Sheriff.
The political affairs of the State were lost sight
in the emulation among the party as to ,eho
should fill a local Office. Personal and politi-
cal considerations, and local bias, were brought
to bear uponit-and when the nomination was
heralded, there seemed to be a disappointment
in the enthusiasm that was lacking, which was
from the fact that such an event was
previously known, in conjunction with the
withdrawal from the Convention of one of the
most popular names in the parish. And the
upon the streets now does not arise
out Of any considerations about the Legislative
but from the question, which of the
two Democratic candidates for Sherif-the no.
Of the Convention or the Independent
candidate who would not 60 before the Con-
Vention-will be the choice of the people?-
Both are Democrats, and it matters nothing in
/ political light which are elected. The con-
will rest upon merit and claims, and in the
election of either the Democratic party has
to lose, but will stand precisely where
It did before. The Wings, they may rest as
sured, have no idea Of making a nomination in
opposition. Both of the candidates before them
are high-minded, honorable men, and the only
action the Wings as a body will take in the
premises, wM be the action Of preference 5etween
The t,co.
But cannot Whigs be started-ahle talented