New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-21


On the third day of the convention, Mr.
j. K. Head, president, in the chair, before
the reopening Of the debate on the question
to postpone or not the nominations. com
municatiOn was read from Mr.. F. h. Hatch,
president of a Democratic meeting on the
right bank, Jefferson, of the river, at winch
two delegates were elected, which asked
these delegates be seated. Their names
were ruled out of the report of the commit
tee by a vote of the convention, on the
first day, on the ground that the meeting
was not called 'all over the parish" but only
cOnvoked on the right bank. Touching the
communication there was discussion elected
which ended in reference to the committee
on credentials, Mr.. H. D. Ogden repeat
ing the original objection to seating the
delegates.
MI. Lewis Bush, of Lafourche, withdrew
as he did not desire to participate in the de-
iberations of the convention.
The credentials of Mr.. E. l.. Jewell, ac-
credited as delegate from POinte Coupee,
were referred to the committee.
The resolutions introduced by d.
P. Scanlan were referred to the
committee. They committed the con-
vention to a declaration against the
payment of taxes illegally imposed by
ment Of an "unprincipled executive" The
kind of taxes to be resisted were the levee
construction tax, Park tax, Metropolitan
tax, etc.
The debate on the question of postpone
ment then began precisely where it left off
on the night previous. with Mr.. Bringham,
Of Morehouse, on the floor. Mr.. Bingham
said:
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of this Conven-
tion-I merely intended yesterday evening before
adjournment, to make few brief remarks, before
the vote was taken; against what l conceived to
be the imperative duty of this convention-nOt to
make nominations at this time: l supposed then
that the discussion was about closing, and merely
wished to adjure my fell0w-DemOcrats, delegates
from the country parishes, not to be mised by the
elOquence of some of the distinguished speakers
who were 80 clamOrOus for nominations. 1t might
seem presumptuous IN me to attempt to add any
thing to what has already been said by the elo-
quent and distinguished gentlemen who have pre-
ceded me. But duty in the premises is all the
apology offer for OBTAINING the convention during
the brief space in which I shall occupy the floor
and shall be as brief as the great importance of
the question and the length to which the discus
sion has already been protracted. will admit
And now, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen Of this
convention, let me say that am fully persuaded
that gentlemen from this city who are SO clamor.
GUS that we at once put out our state ticket do
not es we from the country, so clearly the in
expediency of the measure.
iimpugn the motives which actuate the conduct
of no gentleman upon this floor. We have beer
called together to exchange views, and advise for
people. We know no sectional lines. and feel that
We shall be biased by 10 sectional views
In common with other gentlemen Of this conven.
ton l must confess that l nothing in the call
of the Democratic Executive Committee of the
State that in the least indicated fsreshadowed
that candidates were to be put forward by this
convention. On the contrary it seemed to us of
the northern portion of the State such step as
contemplated. We really thought that the call
gave forth uncertain sound, and Democrats in
half whispers said the call indicated the dissolu-
ton Of the party; that it was virtual admission
that it's day of usefulness was done and that we
were to assemble to see it decently inferred and
upon its ruins to establish third party, which, it
was hoped, might rescue and save the State. As
Democrats, we were willing to do this, if by it
alone the State might be Iplitically redeemed
were willing to give up that name around which
hung % 80 many and whose en-
hard.fought felds-1 say we were willing to
do this If necessary. but we did not believe
it, and nothing else. Certainly it was mot
from anything could gather from it) contem-
plated to put out candidates when it indicated
with reform" as the watchwsrd. We met in mass
meeting and passed resolutions declaring the party
not dead, and asking all good men to unite with
us, the Democratic party, to redeem the State.
We, however in view of the fact, as stated, that
the call only seemed for conference to form new
party, and for nothing else, took the initiatory
steps and delegated our representatives here to
vote and act TO that end only upon the recon-
mendation Of the. convention to assemble, willing
to abide by the voice OF our Democratic brethren
These were the views, and these alone the views
we entertained of The call. How can it be said,
then, by the gentlemen in favor Of nominations
No, sirs. 1t has been sprung by ambitious men
for their own aggrandizement, and will not and
unprepared for it now, who are not expecting it
now. 1t seems in bad taste, too, for gentlemen
coming here as delegates to insist on making nom-
inatiOns and press their claims for position and
place on the ticket. Can they go home with clean
hands Will not their constituency say I'VE are
not consulted about our choice in this matter and
how cd IN and
pudiate your viii they not have good cause to
say this of any who delegates whs might get
understand Can you go back with clean hands
Could l do this if ominated for Secretary of
State some other good office And why not as
less deserving, perhaps, than myself? My young
friend there smiles at the suggestion OF course I
am only speaking ironically. have no ak to grind
and can afford to be plain. ask for no office and
want none. would not take nomination of any
kind at the hands of this convention if 1 wanted
one because feel that it has not the authority to
confer it.
listened, Mr. Chairman, very patiently to hear
from the learned gentleman to convince
me that we had the authority to make nomil ations
or to satisfy of the great necessity of such pre-
eipitancy in the ma, ter. have listened in vain.
Outside of fine defamation, with Governor War
moth as the teXt-the central figure around
which their ideas seem to revOlve-I am as much
in the dark at the beginning of this discussion;
and really the course the debate has taken in re-
latien to this man, aud, indeed, Of al men who
seem to differ with them in their political opin-
IONS is too extreme for the chaotic state in which
we find matters now both state and national. We
never hope succeed in Kidding State Of the po
litcal vampires who are sucking life blood from
u.s. To do this we must eonciiate M an and otter such
elements of the State into one mighty combination
against corruption and misrule. We care not from
whence they come. There are many who are cast
ing around for party on which they can rely to
stem the tide of corruption and venality which has
despoed our once proud but now crushed and
ruined State. They are looking to the Democratic
party to do this and there must be caution by this
body not to do anything to drive such men away
from U.S. We can not afford to do this and it has
been insinuated by gentlemen on this floor that
parties advocating postponement of action
in nOmin atoms were in the interests Of
disaffected Radicals with view to bargain and
it on the part Of those favOrng postponement.
But this l do say, that we care not where the
Office that we may once more claim our birthrigbt
and regain the long lost right of self government.
Gentlemen ask us for our reasons for postpone
ment. We tell them they are numerous and good
patent to any man disposed to forego
personal ambition for the certain success of the
party. Among them are the following
First-As we said before, there was NO call for
convention, and we. are not authorized
to nominate if we felt that we were prepared to
however, discussed this point enough already as
well as others. who have done it full justice.
IL the next place, the national convention has
not spoken, and we will be in advance Of the times
Parties are now in their chrysls state; they in
chaos and confusion less; it will not do to
be too far in advance far in the Let us
wait and assume position with all the lights be.
fore u.s. and avoid chaos and confusion that might
ensue BY antagonism with national politics. If we
are right now as party what is to hinder MS from
being right two months from now! The names
urged for nominations now will be in force then.
Indeed, sirs, we have everything to save by delay
and nothing to lose.
Again, am informed there is bill now pending
before Congress to remove the disabilities of many
IF the best men of our State. now ineligible. In
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