The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1859-08-24
The Convention System,
We are sure that the attention of

4 We are sure that the attention of th'
Democratic party will not lose its interes
by being recalled to a subject which
should not be esteemed too lightly. Ii
this Parish we have just come out from
most harmonious meeting-nothlng bu
good feeling and desire for concert o
action seemed to obtain among it's mem
bers. The Convention system OF nomln
ating candidates has been cried at as toe
arbitrary for the known free principles o.
our party-sayoring of dictation and Sc
veri.y-and in some portions of the State
members of the Democratic party have
held themselves aloof from the body Of
their brethren, and with suicidal policy
wish to gain party success on their own
responsibility. The duty of a member Of
any political party, is. very simple, and
the only question his patriotism should
permit him to PROFOUND to himself is
How can serve my party to make it sue
cessful
How were the bloody fields of Magenta
and Solferino won There the sun shone
on equal numbers Of opponents, but still
the battle-felds were lost. A rapid con.
cert of action, an enthusiastic esprit du
corps impelled the French to success and
victory. Sparta in her palmiest days was
Though 50 far as length and breadth of
territory are concerned, quite insignif-
cant) the strongest nation Of her day.
Her soldiers had that elan about them
which rendered their success sure against
any foe, It must strike any reasonable
Democrat that to thorough and perfect
organization are we chiefly indebted for
our past successes, and because we have
heretofore won SO easily, it should be no
reason why party discipline should be-
come lax or changed. The manner in
which nominating Conventions are organ
lied and worked can always be modified
to suit time, place, and circumstances,
but when once organized and majority
shall have passed the necessary resolu-
lions, and made the necessary nomina-
tions, it is the sacred duty of the minority
to be satisfied and lend themselves to the
work for the success Of the party. The
best proof Of a good and truepatrot is the
cheerfulness with which, under any cir
cumstances, he drops his personality and
strips himself for the fight Of his party
and his country. We can never hope for
continuous success when we begin to
fight altogether in open order-when we
permit, even now and then, champion
to make a tilt at the enemy on his own
hook, though he may be successful, still
the precedent is dangerous and it saps
the very spirit Of the foundation of per-
feet discipline Shoulder to shoulder,
.stvp r-itl.~sutu1,, esre the sure articles Of
success. If the carte 6ianc is given to
the leaders Of any party to nominate
themselves, the consequence is easily
toreseen. The mere appearance upon the
field Of an organized force will put them
to flight. The leaders of parties must be
governed, as well as the rank and file,
and there should be that understanding
between the rank and file and the leaders,
which will insure success on the day of
election. 1t is the object of the opposi-
tion party to break up the thorough sys-
TEN that the Democracy Of this State has
Of nominating candidates. The system
has been the great Moloch Of their dreams
and to overturnit is to insure them sue
cess. They have, like weak waves, dashed
against it, time and again,
but have invariably gone off in their ownI
surf. Our advice to all true Democrats
is to keep in the regular column, and
move with it in all its marchings, no odds
whom the leader may be, 50 he is the ma.
jority'ss leader, stragglers and weak
hearted ones will be sure to fall into the
hands of the opposition Cossacks.
----asu,s,a..--