The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1872-05-08
FROM CINCINNATI,

Blair aHnouuceu tle platform commit
tee had agreed upon the tariff resolu
ton by large majority. The conven
ton considering the Rhodes tariff res
olution, Cassius Clay deprecated rails
ing the question, which he pronounced
an apple of discord which should no
be introduced here Stanley Matthew
urges that it was impolitic taking tn,
question out of the hands of the plat
form committee, chosen specially t,
secure careful deliberation on all point
of policy but if we must have fight
let us have fair one. He conclude,
by proposing the Missouri tariff plank
(Applause.)
On motion of Atkinson, of Massa
chusetts, Rhodes resolution was Ia
bled by a large majority. Presenta
ton of candidates was again ordered
and motion to adjourn till 10 o'cloct
tomorrow.
Carl Schurz on taking the chair, re.
ferred briefly to the purposes for which
: the Convention had met. Said the Re.
public might well congratulate itself
that such meeting was possible. He
spoke of corruption as the natural out.
growth of protracted civil war, which
was invading the public service of the
Government, and said that part of our
common country which had been con-
vulsed by disastrous rebellion was suf-
feripg most grievonsly from the effects
of the war; that the naughty spirit of
power refused to lift those who had
gone astray by p policy of generous
Cancellation and statesmentsbip of COM
mon sense. Great wrongs were being
perpetrated by the party in power, and
this assemblage of American freemen
mean that these things should no Ion
ger be endured. Conscience, which,
seemed dead has risen from all points
of the compass; the breath of victory
was in the very air which surrounds
us; we have a grand opportunity be-
fore US who can give the republic a
pure and honest government, but can
only do so by throwing behind us the
selfish spirit of politicians, small bick-
erings and mean aspirations.
AS to our platform, we shall be wise
enough to keep in mind these things,
which Republic stands most in need
of. Let US only in what we promise to
the people be straightforward, and not
attempt to cheat those whom we ask to
follow our lead, by deceitful represen-
tations as to men whom we shall pre-
sent for high Offices. Let us entreat
you not to lose sight of the fact that
great reforms, the overthrow of invet-
crate abuses, and the establishment of
better order of things, are not to be
accomplished by mere promises, but
will and energetic action of statesman
slip. If you mean reform, trust the
work to none but those who UNDER
stand it, and care more honestly for it
than for their own personal ends.
l earnestly deprecate the cry "any-
body to beat Grant" There is some
thing more wanted than to beat Grant.
We don't want mere change of per-
sons in the administration of the gov
eminent, we want good government
which the best people will be proud of.
If we fail to select men who will carry
out the reforms we contemplate, it
would be better had this movement
never been undertaken. Unless | |
greatly mistake the spirit of the day,
what the people now most earnestly |
demand is not that good intentions,
but superior intelligence, coupled
with a superior virtue, should guide
our affairs not that merely honest
and popular man, but that statesman
be put at the helm. In selecting can
didates for Offices politicians are ac-
customed to discuss questions of avail
ability mean in our sense? Let us
look for the best men we have, and
from the very best let us select the
strongest.
If We present men to the suffrages of
the people, whose character and name
appeals to the loftiest instincts of pa
tflotlc citizens, we shall have on our
side that which ought to be, and I trust
will be, the ruling arbiter of the politi-
cal contest. If that be done, success
Will be certain, and we shall not ap-
peal in vain for support to our fellow
citizens who hitherto were separated
from US by party divisions, who desire
honestly to work for the best interests
OF the country in this crisis, and whom
We shall welcome with fraternal greet
ing in the struggle for the great cause,
whether they call themselves Demo-
Gratis or Republicans. Personal friend
ship and State pride are noble senti-
mients, but what is personal friendship,
what is State pride, compared with the
great duty we owe to our common
country, and the awful responsibility
resting upon our actions? AS sensible
men, We know that not every one of us
can be gratitied by the choice of his
iaVorite. Many of us will have to be
QlSannninted Int In tha cnlo,nn hnnnr 4