New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-08-01
THE CONVENTION.

| 1hh UUhHEhIlUN,
In few days the Liberal convention
meets to decide upon the issues of the can
vass in this State 1t is a grave duty i
has to perform, replete with perplexine
difficulties and clashing theories. 1t will
nevertheless, have to determine on g
policy which will carry with it the mani.
fold interests of the State and people; and
it is time those who are to compose it.
were settling upon some plan by which its
deliberations may be conducted to a sue
cessful issue.
Two important questions will come be-
fore it for consideration:
First, does it recognize as its guide the
example and policy defined by the 'Balti-
more and Cincinnati conventions? Second.
does it hold that the principles avowed
there are such as will, if properly carried
out, be fttest in their application to the
necessities of Louisiana? In other words,
that the great Liberal movement is both
State and national, and that the doctrines
it asserts are inseparable, either as applied
to the federal government or our own do
nestle affairs.
These facts understood. it results as a
matter of course that nominations must
be made for State offices in harmony with
Liberal ideas. The national and State
ticket must be identical in interest and
character. If there are antagonistic ele-
ments they must be harmonized, or forced
to yield to the paramount necessity of
party fealty. Division is subversive of
discipline, and discipline is essential to
party success. We start into the canvass
on Liberal policy; by this we mean a
policy in contradistinction to Radical or
per Sc Democratic policy. It is in oppo-
sition to the administration and opposed
to the reelection of Grant. It should.
therefore, include all who entertain sim
liar views and desire to further the same
end
But this can not be done in the present
aspect of the opposition to Radical SUI
premacy in this State. While conceding
their fealty to the Liberal movement in
respect to national affairs, the Democratic
and Reform leaders think such conces-
sion gives them perfect right to control the
election in the State and apportion its Off
ces and define its policy. The Liberal party
can not recognize this right. There can
be nothing but Liberal policy, defined
by Liberal convention, and all outside
of it is hostile to the purposes it is inter
ested in advancing.
Besides this outside or seeding nucleus
can accomplish nothing in d direct |
way. 1t can do no good, and no harm
indeed, except as a marplot. The party |
Of which it proposes to be an ofshoot has
long since seen the folly of following I'M
4uestioningly party leaders. The rank
and file are now acting for themselves.
This is evident from the fact that this
united State ticket, as it is now stands,
could not get a convention to make it. The
candidates mainly nominated themselves.
like Minerva leaping from the head of
love, they suddenly sprung up all piano.
died for war. The time has been, in the
Id days of implicit fealty and obedience,
when they might have brought quite a
handful of followers around them. But
t is not so now. The Democratic rank
nd file have ceased to be the chattels of
heir leaders. They think and act as in
heir judgment becomes men. The wires
re all broken by which the Democratic
was manipulated, and new
IA has dawned with the advent of liberal
leas.
This anomalous ticket, then, as it now
ppears, is not likely to form a subject of
luch consideration in the convention. 1t
hould certainly not affect its deliberations.
f the ticket wants to remain in the field,
It it. If, on the other hand, it seeks to be
bsorbed in the great body of the Liberal
lOvement, let it. In either case it is not
kelly to alter in any material respect the
official situation. No matter what turns
p, the convention has It's duties to per-
Orm; these duties are in straight out ac- I
ordance with the enlightened liberal
olicy Of the party. Its predominating
Characteristic must be liberal politics. just
intelligence and virtue should predomi- t
ate over ignorance and vice. Acting in t
lis way, the convention is liable to no re-
roach, whatever the future NAV raraaI