The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1874-08-22
Our Next Member Of Congress


ton, for the last six years, BY the
nominees Of . PARTY who were guided
in their choice mote by the question
able character Of their candidate, than
BY the essential requisite Of integrity
and capacity; when We reflect tina,
the world is apt to form its opinion
Of our people, by the public conduct
and mental caliber of the imported
ounces and knaves, who have been
sent to the national capital to repre-
sent them, by the united efforts of
ignorant negroes, contemplate car
pet-baggers and bypocritical scala
wags, it devolves upon US, who
represent the white element, the only
intelligent and honest portion Of our
people Of this State, to make such .
selection as will reflect the sentiments
Of our people in their true light.
The very nature of such an exalted
and honorable position requires far
more experience and knowledge of
the principles Of government, and Of
the wants of the people, than may be
requisite for members of State Leg
islature. For the latter, An ordinary
knowledge Of local interests and
opinions may generally suffice. But
it is far different with . member of
Congress. 1t is his duty to legislate
for the interest and welfare, not Of
one State only, but Of all the States.
1t is not enough that he should pos
sess upright intentions and q sound
judgment; no must, BY = proper
training Of thought aud study, be 4
competent master Of al the objects
on which he may be called upon to
legislate he must have the skill and
ability to apply his acquired knowl.
edge in the best manner, and to the
greatest interest of the Republic. In
a single State, the habits, manners,
customs, institutions and laws, are
about the came, and . respectable
member Of its citizens 40 more OF
less oopversant with them. In =
commonwealth, tho various pursuits
and occupations Of the people are
we'll known and easily ascertained.
The general affairs of . State lie in
. comparatively small sphere, and
are talked about, examined and dis
cassed, by those whose interests they
affect, and whose opinions, BY IRE
quent communication, are daily in
terchanged. But it Is quite different
with the Affairs Of the general gov.
eminent There every measure must
be discussed with . ddb regard to the
wants, interests, rights and pursuits Of
al tho States. We are now, thirty
eight States in the Union, having diff.
ferent laws, customA climates and
products. Some of them are almost
wholly agricultural; some CONNER
cial; some manufacturing, and Others
have . mixture of all; and in no two
Of them are there, the precisely rela-
tive adjustment Of all these interests.
An accurate knowledge Of Ill these
diversihes and Of their practical ef-
feet upon tho country, must be pos
sessed by him Who takes his seat in
Congress. 1t would be impolitic, un-
safe, and unwise 10 send any one
there who has not those qualifications.
In our present humiliated and de-
graded circumstances, when Official
position and prefermeut are given
with alacrity, and BY preferences, to the
incompetent and unworthy; when
We have made up our minds for the
ouly true contest; when We are bat-
Ting for the cause Of the intellectu-
al superiority Of the white race,
against the brutal arrogance Of the
ignorant oolored race when We find
arrayed on the one side, integrity and
capacity, opposed to venality and
stupidity, on the other side !; We must
b guarded, and even serapulous, in
the choice -four candidates, and have
no individual preferences. Ability,
honesty and experience, must Be the
only incentives to guide us in the
matter. We must be unanimous in
putting tho right man in the right
place.
The parish Convention which met
hero on Saturday last, wss unani-
NOUS in recommending to our peo-
pie Col William N. Levy, of our par
ish, % tho 1t candidate for menher
Of Congress, from our District. We
ase no man.worshipper. Without