New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1855-12-29
AMERICAN STATE CONVENTION.

AMEhAGAM SIAIE C0NfENIlUN.
The American Convention of the State of Lou
isiana will hold a regular annual session in the
city of New Orleans, commencing on the Sth Of
january next. The session will probably con-
tinue week, as many matters of moment will
come up for consideration, discussion and deter
minatiop Most, If not all the delegates have
already been appointed by the respective con-
stituencies, and there is little doubt that all
the parishes in the State will be duly repre-
sented.
Among the measures Of prime Importance,
we have good reason to believe, a proposition to
abolish the nominal secresy of the organization
will come up. That it will carry by q large
majority is almost certain. As yet, SO far IS
we are advised, the idea meets with universal
favor; and we have been told the country will
favor it by an overwhelming preponderance. If
such prove the case, the opposition will be as
nominal as powerless..
The Convention of last July made q long
stride in the right direction, when the veil Of
privacy was Withdrawn from the important SUBJ
jects of the organization. Had a step further
been taken-had sill restrictions been removed
| pie as an open organization the conviction is
clear to our mind that the results would have
been entirely different. Although nothing Of
! moment was concealed; although what was kept
out of the newspapers was good, true and patri-
otic-of which every honest man could be proud,
instead Of being ashamed-and although our
published platform of principles was unexcep-
tionahle, still, our opponents, with their usual
adroitness and political skill, took advantage
of the powerful lever which this nominal secre-
sy presented, and with an ingenuity and perse-
verance which contrasted favorably with the
means employed to attain an end, induced thou
sands to believe that something dreadfully
wicked was hidden behind sedulously withheld
from the popular scrutiny. The poison was
thrown broadcast throughout thecommonwealth,
and continued to spread until many honest men
truly believed that the members of as pure and
| patriotic party as ever existed in this or any
other country, were engaged in plotting and
practicing the most monstrous and diabolical
wickedness, and that the cloak of secresy was
assumed the better to enable them to accom-
plish their unholy designs. In vain was refata-
| ton, argument and truth. Men will believe in
Islander and falsehood, unless it is promptly
sscrushed OUT by full and complete exposure
This it was impossible to do fully under the cir
cumstances The yellow fever was prevailing
in this city, and at every other convenient point
which rendered it utterly out Of the question
to get the State Convention together in time to
effect any good result. But had every thing
been published to the world sixty days before
the election, the reaction would have given the
Americans the State by an unexampled vote
Their aspersers and calumniators would have
been rebuked scathingly and overwhelmingly
By the honest sentiment Of Louisiana.
The National American Convention, which Is
to assemble in Philadelphia on the 22d Of Feb
ruary, will unquestionebly declare the organi-
cation an open one throughout the length and
breadth Of the land This the members thereof
should have done last June, instead of going
about half way. Half way measures never
accomplish anything, unless under peculiarly
favorable state Of affairs; and they will not
begin to do during the next Presidential cam
vass, which bids fair to be the most exciting
known to our political records.
The appointment Of delegates to the National
Convention will be among the first duties of the
Louisiana Convention. Each State is entitled
to two Senatorial delegates and one for every
Congressional District. IT is recommended that
alternates be also chosen for the State and Con-
gressonal delegates, in order that full repre-
sentation may be secured. We take it for
granted, and have solvent grounds for SO doing,
that the new Louisiana delegates will be adj
Ix,,tf o1 J~1.~ -
kind. The determination alluded to above, to
declare an open organization, implies the reno
val of obnoxious provisions that have worked
50 disadvantageously to the party all over the
Union. Hence we have assumed the selection
Of delegates to be among the duties Of the State
Convention. IT we imagined there was any
likelihood Of rejection. we should oppose further
action in the premises as superfaous and unbe-
coming.
No nominations will take place at the Febru.
airy National Convention. This appears to be
we'll understood. After the transaction of the
business that will necessarily come up, the ses-
sion will probably close by the adjournment of
the nominating convention until some time in
July This course is dictated by wisdom and
true policy. To enter upon m eight months
canvass would be the heighth of absurdity. D
Every thing will depend, however, upon the
action Of the National Convention, upon the
men nominated, who must possess character,
combined with availability and intellect-mere
sticks will not answer-and upon the boldness,
clearness and national patriotism Of the princi-
pies for which it is intended to fight and BY
which the party must stand or fall.
These are some of our views; and we shall
take occasion to give expression to others, as
events unfold themselves with sufficient precis.
ion to enable US to judge of the future under
standingly. having made up our minds long ago
not TO follow blind leaders or impracticable
eounsellors
f The November number of the "Dental
obturatorn has been laid table by the pubsher
II, .. McGinniss, No. SO Camp street. This msgazne
home production and under the able conduct Of DR.
s. Clark is destined to supply want to the profession
Of this city.