The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1872-09-18
Francis Herman for Governor.

4uvlD NVSA0E I'VE MesVshSSs
There ia one point IN which Mr.
Herman strikingiy resembles Mr.. Gree
ley, and as strikingly differs from
General Dix. Like Mr.. Greeley. but
unlike General Dix, he has Won COM
petence, distinction, and political I'm
fuence by his ability and energy in
an honorable profession, and not by
iuveterate ofice-ho1ding. There is
always some reason to 6istrust the
capacity of a man who cannot make
his way in the ordinary pursuits and
competitions Of private life. To be
sure, experience in public stations may
confer valuable training; but man
who depends on public Office as
means Of gaining livelihood. deserves
less respect in republican communi-
ty than one who does not need to be
a pensiones and tax.eater 10 order to
lire and make his marx. By the theo-
~ of our institutions, every private
citizen is Judge Of public affairs.
Changing dur officers frequently; per-
petually remanding to private life the
occupants Of public stations, and &C.
lecting from private life others to eli
their places, our elective system i'm.
plies widely diffused political capaci-
ty and repudiates Office holding as O
profession by any class Of men. All
citizens being voters, all are presumed
capable Of forming an intelligent
political Judgment while pursuing the
vocations by which they earn their
bread or acquire property. Every
voter being legally eligible to almost
every Office, the genius Of our institu-
tons frowns upon ineonpeteney in
private pursuits. General Dix, like
Mr. Herman, entered the legal profess
sion 10 early manhood; q profession
in whicli Que of these rival candidates
gained clieuts and distinction, and in
which the other, 60 far as the public
are aware, never received retaining
fee or argued on important case. At
the rather ripe age OF thirty, General
Dix settled as q lawyer in Coopers-
town; bnt so slight was his success
that be Was glad, three years later, to
accept an Office on Governor TROOPS
staff. At the age of thirty Eve no was
appointed Secretary of State; and in
deed, neatly all of his many Offices
were held by appointment, and not by
p' pular election. The only Office he
ever received directly from the people
was that Of member of Assembly from
Albany in 1871. He was Postmaster
of this city By appointment; seereta-
ry of the Treasury By appointment;
Encouragement by appointment; Naval
Officer py appointment; Minister to
France by appointment; and DOW, for
the first time in bis life he is running
for an important Office filed by popu-
lar suffrage. Ills strength With tue
people has never been tested; bat the
people have 90 partiality for hack
neyed ofice-holders whon, no political
party ever thought It safe to present.
as 0 candidate in on important cleo
zion. The only ewo Office. Mr.. Kernau
ever bela were given him BY popular
favor, and 10 both instances he ran
very far ahead Of the othes Demo
cratic candidates in che same elections.
Mr.. Kernan's popular running quail
ties depend rer.s mucls upon Ills strong
personal magnetism, which has here
togore been little felt outside of his
own county and the higher courts Of
justice. But II will be diffused through
ont the State il he goes On the stump
and makes speeches in this canvass.
His high tone and evident sincerity,
aided by his intellectual gifts and
persuasive tongue, will make him IS
widely loved as be is already uni
sersally respected.
Apart from his great ability and ad-
mired personal character, Mr.. Remains
strong point as q candidate consists in
his edapeatiop to the peculiar ex-
igencies OF this canvass. He is q
steady, unfliuching Democrat, who
nerer t'esiased from the principles
nor was ever untrue 20 che discipline
Of the party. Ills vaciilating eompe-
tifor having been nominated by the
Republicans With view Co utilize his
Democratic antccedents 10 enticing
away Democratic voters, iG was ex-
| pediert TO counterrail CHS n,aneuvre
By presenting candidate Of Che most
unfaltersng, lifelong party fidelity.
There Is no eminent member Of cur
party who more fully satisfies this re-
quirement. Democrats wio are not
yet quite reeoneifed to Mr.. Greeley will
sec that his candidacy does nos relax
the strictness of Democratic discipline,
OF set aside our tried and faithful
party leaders. If che result of che new
movement is 60 put at che head Of our
Estate governments sncL vigorous
Democrats as Mr.. Hendricks. Mr..
BuckaleH, and Ne. Herman. che party