New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-05-29
WHAT Is zee WoRK TO pO7.

~
ton in Ohio that nominated a candidate
for the Presidency; we have had a Liberal
Republican Convention in the same State
that nominated another candidate for the
Presidency; we have a Workingman's
Convention in New York that nominated
a woman for the Presidency; we are to
have a Republican Convention in Phila-
delphia which will nominate a candidate
for the Presidency; and after that the
Democrats propose to hold a convention
and declare the candidate for the Presi-
dency.
Coming nearer home, we have a Liberal
Republican Convention in New Orleans
to-day that proposes to nominate a candi-
date for Governor; we are to have a Re-
publican Convention next month that will
give US another candidate for Governor;
the Reformers propose to hold another
convention soon after for the purpose Of
nominating a candidate for Governor;
then the Democrats will hold their con-
vention and nominate a candidate for Gov
ernor; and after that We may have a Com
promise Convention to give us its candi-
dates. Those who are not satisfied with
these conventions can hold one Of their
own. What is one more convention
among so many of us?
All of these bodies represented, and are
to represent, presumptively, certain con-
stituencies; and their impulse originated
in that disposition of the people which is
always seeking to improve itself Running
almost together in point Of time, these
conventions remind us of a well contested
race wherein all the horses are so close
that the result can only be told when the
mile post has been passed. There is no
essential difference between the convention
which, is to meet in July and the n which
met yesterday or the one which is to meet
in a few days at Baton Rouge. Really, in
so far as principle is concerned, the dele
gates to every one of these a~ssemblages
will set forth the same principles, and
make the same promises, and the only diff
ference will be that one viii choose this
man to represent its ideas, and the others
will choose different individuals. It only
involves men, and has very little to do
with principles, that we are having so
many conventions. The real point at is
sue is, choose between the men who viii
be presented as candidates. If
the Democrats were to offer the best
men, and we could be assured of
that beyond a doubt, it would
be our duty to sustain them, for we be-
lieve in taking the best men for offices, as
we do in taking the best goods in making
purchases at a store. If the Liberal
Republican Convention will present
the best ticket. or if the Republican
convention at Baton Rouge will do
that service, or fl the Reformers will do
it, and satisfy us that they have done so,
it would equally be our duty to adhere to
their candidates by reason of the superior
ity of the men. Herein lies the trouble.
How can any convention demonstrate the
superior fitness of its nominees. The
have made too many mistakes
already; the Reformers can not overcome
their preiudlces; the Liberal Republicans
are very new and are liable to err; the Re
publicans are burdened with a great many
men who are known to be unworthy. Then
what is the use of bad men proclaiming
good principles, or weak men pulling
forth a strong platform, OF new men offer
to be better han their predecessors,
we can be satisfied that the public
has confidence in their individual honesty
and intelligence?
Looking over the political field we find
that men who have done weIl-or, to put
fine point upon it, have done better than
others-are condemned and denounced
with quite as much venom by parties who
pretend to be honest, as their more vicious
opponents. And yet the citizen who de-
nounces and the citizen who is denounced
will stand, within the course of a
very few days, upon the same plat
form of principles. They Will both
demand honesty and economy in the
government, and the greatest liberty
'or the greatest number, without once
considering the candidate they are sup
The Liberal Republican Convention
which meets to-day is new and untried,
md it may give US something better than
Of its predecessors have done or that
is successors may do. We hope it will
But it must do this in the men it nomi-
lates, and not IN the measures which it
proposes. We can not be benefited by an
honest profession that is only intended to
ave the way to p~rofigacy and corruption.
t can not put a good measure forward
nd then attempt to cur a bad man
With it. What the State wants is a COM
Of good men and good measures.
md the convention that gives us this salu-
airy and happy union viii be the one that
he people will owe their allegiance to.
GENERAL BEAUREGABDs LETTER.
The letter If this DISTINGUISHED ~oant1a-