New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-08-13

speech and Writing which sueh s=can-
vass renders necessary. 8. If there be
any moral defect in the record of the can
didate, it is very likely to be brought to
light by his adveEsaries. The people can
then see whether they are like to be brought
to shame or loss by an incompetent or dis
honest representative.
The system Of nominations which has
long prevailed in New Orleans renders it
unnecessary that candidate should pos
sess knowledge, capacity or character. The
ticket as made is maintained as whole
by the entire strength and means OF the
party, and the candidate need only keep
in the background, and in some cases had
better be kept in the background until
his certificate of election shall have been
handed him. The city Of New Orleans is
entitled to more than twenty representa-
tives in the Legislature, and yet who-if we
except Hon. Mr.. Booth Senator-has ever
heard speech or read an essay from one Of
them? We have not known one Of these
representatives for years past who was
ever prominent member of any public
meeting for the benefit of the commerce
or agriculture. of New Orleans. Nor do
we at this moment remember one Of them
for any useful connection with any such
measure Of public usefulness. The fame
Of these representatives eliminates and
disappears with their nomination. The
selection of councilmen, administrators,
sherifs and other State and municipal
officers is conducted very much on the
same principle. No personal qualiica-
tons for Office are required. When
elected the duties of Office are discharged
by a deputy, and, IN some cases, the fees
and perquisites Of office afford very
handsome competence to both principal
and assistant
The discussions of principles or meas
ures are conducted by the press and by
the party committees. Editorials, cor
respondence, addresses, constitute the
material of party warfare. The candi-
date like an Eastern monarch, is safe
within the walls Of his palace. The con-
fict is waged in his behalf by others.
when the battle is over and the candi-
date elected, he is very apt to make the
most profitable use of his position. Not
unfrequently he gains great profit, and
sometimes gives great. occasion for scan
dial at the expense of his party. Then
comes again the service Of the committees
and the press. Retired from the strife,
sometimes substituting for the heat Of
Southern campaign the shades of the
mountain or the breezes of the sea, be
notes the points and progress made in a
vindication in which he takes little per-
sonal interest.
So far as the Republican party is con-
cerned it has refused to take this latter
responsibility, and has ''unloaded" pro-
minent politicians who have made pri-
vate fortunes in the name of the party
with dump that has broken every bone
in their political bodies. Such has been
the fate of Cakes Ames, Pomeroy, Shep-
herd and others, who mark the Republi-
can policy as announced in the late speech
of Senator Morton of Indiana.
Among the modes adopted by modern
parties to protect the unfedged candidate,
has been to invite distinguished members
of the party, like Messrs. Voorhees, or
Pendleton, to make the party defense.
The party candidates thus appear as if
they were criminals-by attorney.
There could be no better means Of
assuring competent candidates than to
require them to address the people.
There could be no more republican
method of determining what really are
the political issues that separate parties,
than to bring forward the opposing candi-
dates of those parties respectively, face to
face. If unworthy or incompetent, let
such candidates withdraw or be with
drawn. Better thus than to be, possibly,
hindered with the indiscretions Of bad
men and unprincipled partisans. Let the
Democratic candidates for the Legisla-
ture, State or city Office, announce that
they will meet the Liberal, White
Lacquer, Hivite or Republican. Let there
be committees of arrangement to conduct
the discussions. There may be thus some
more distinctness given to the canvass,
and far higher ability assured to the State
and city councils than by the automaton
plan of the present.
The difficulties occur to every one
Crowds would assemble in opposition to
the Republican speaker. Insult, inter-
ruption and even violence might be ap-
pretended. In most parts of the Union
men listen respectfully to their opponents,
relying upon their own advocates to
counteract any damage which may be in
hicted upon their cause by the argument,
rhetoric or ridicule Of the opponent, re-
lying also that their fellow-citizens,
though of opposite opinions, will recip-
rocate the respectful attention when the
time comes to do so.
There is little reason to hope, therefore,
that fair comparison of principles, repu-
tation or ability could be made in New
Orleans; but if fair lists and good order
could be guaranteed, the Republican
party will put its candidates up to defend
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