The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-08-22
The Philadelphia Convention

the convention, DtiG dla St6HI W Ut
animated with a spirit of concilia-
ton towards each other, though
4 coming from every part of the coun-
try, members of different political
organizations, and representing
constituencies of diverse and con-
ficting interests. Whenever a del
egate had the slightest intimation
that his presence would be produc-
tive of harm he promptly declined
to act as a member. A noble ex-
ample was set in this respect by
Mr.. Fernando Wood and Mr.. Val
landigham, whose devotion to the
rights of the whole country has
been so often tried as to incur for
them the lasting hatred of the Rad
icals, and Of q great many others
who ought to entertain for them
far different feelings. The dele
gates from the South seem to have
been received with open arms, even
those who participated in our war
for independence, and their ex-
pressed desire for a restoration of
good feeling between the two Sec
lions, and a reinstatement of law
and order at the South, was re-
ceived with manifest delight by the
leading delegates from the North
ern States. A speech by Elk
Speaker, now Governor Orr, of
South Carolina, was specially COM
mended for it's conservative and
conciliatory tone.
The resolutions were received
with appreciation and passed with
perfect unanimity. They were
written by Mr.. Henry j. Raymond,
a circumstance which would have
damned them forever, were it not
for the fact that all the delegates
were animated with such a spirit of
harmony that they were willing to
follow the leadership of even the
little trimmer, the alittle villain"
or whatever else you may call him,
with the prospect Of doing anything
for this Radical beridden country.
| So far we have not been disap-
pointed in the Convention. It's de-
alterations have proved, what we
have all along believed, that there
are a great many people at the
North, outside of the Democratic
party, who are opposed to the des-
tructive and revolutionary policy OF
the Radicals, and that these men
could be got to fraternise with the
Democratic party for the accom-
plishment of purposes equally de-
sired by all. Leading Democrats
and leading Republicans, who have
been arrayed against each other in
many a political contest, leading
secessionists and leading Union
men, who have contended in o far
different and more dangerous war
fare, have met together in a spirit
of peace and friendship, and have
united in the common object of saw
ing a few fragments from the wreck
of Constitutional liberty on the
American Continent. They have
demonstrated that there is the will
; and we believe the power to drive
the Radicals from their places, and
restore the peace and harmony Of
the Republic.
But we very much fear that the
Convention will stop where it really
ought to commence. 1t may be &
, very good thing to get together and
exchange friendly greetings and
pass high-sounding resolutions, but
unless steps are taken to secure the
election of the Conservative candi
dates, their deliberations will prove
very harmless amusement to the
, Radical party. Even during the
) sittings of the Convention the Dis
trict politicians all over the Nortl
are pulling the wires and nomina
ting their candidates, without re
gard to any supposed action of tht
: Convention itself. In almost every
district Democratic candidates, AMI
johnson Republican candidates art
in the field, the inevitable result o
which must be the election of thu
E Radicals. TO get one or the othe1
of these candidates off the track
and to procure a fusionof the AID
minstration vote OH common candi
E dates, will prove no easy matter
and yet unless it shall be done th'
success of the Radicals is already
secured. Before adjourning thu
E Convention ought therefore tt
adopt some basis ofunion to be car
r,o1 out -, oool, Il,,+,,o4 owl ~,