The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-09-22
COMMUNICATED.
SHALL THERE BE A CONVENTION !!

tributed Throughout the country Pa
rishes, it will be seen that a Demo
cratic State Convention is advised to
be held on the 22d of NOVEMBER next.
These circulars set forth few rea-
sons that render a Convention at
that time useful and proper. AS to
the pyopriety or necessity Of holding
a Democratic State Convention so
soon, a diversity of views is enter
tanned by the press and people of the
various county Parishes. Many are
opposed to such a course for the rea-
sons that, holding a Convention in
November cannot obviate the neces
sity of another before the the open
ing Of the Presidential campaign Of
1876, whereas one Convention should
suffice for all the purposes of State
or National politics; that Conven-
tion this year isssuperauous, as there
is no political campaign in Louisiana
this fall; that any premature agita-
ton Of State politics can only result
in harm to the Conservative element;
that the masses of the country peo-
pie, do not favor the holding of a
State Convention during the busiest
portion of the harvesting season, and
unless such a movement is favored
by general appreciation throughout
the State, it would be a spiritless
failure that would do infinite injury
to the Democratic party; and finally,
that the people should wait until the
present State Executive Committee,
Of which Mr. Mari is the chairman,
has thought such course necessary
and issued call for a Convention.
These reasons would seem to set
forth the improperly of holding a
spontaneous Convention at the time
proposed.
That a Democratic State Conven-
ton will be held, however, and at the
time suggested in the circulars allu
ded to is, think, foregone conclu-
sion. The question has been dis
cussed by the press for many weeks,
and the opinion that such Conyen-
ton is necessary and cannot but ben
eft the people, has gradually gained
ground in the public mind.
The objects and duties of Demo
cratic State Convention this fall are
few but full of Importance, and, in
my humble opinion, they cannot be
ignored with safety to the interests
of the people. We, of Louisiana,
have been for many months in state
of political tranquility and compare
tive ! eace, excepting few sporadic
instances of public agitation such as
that caused by a riot #at Bra
shsar few months ago, and more re-
Gently by the malicious and contemp-
tible conduct of the Board of Public
School Directors in New Orleans, in
forcing colored teachers upon the
white schools. Our people have had
no political issues to disturb them or
divert them from the quiet pursuit of
their private occupations. While
this condition of political repose has
prevailed with us in Louisiana, how
ever, in other States fierce and gigan-
tic political wars have been and are
still waging between the two great
contending parties Of the country
The Democratic party in all the
States where political campaigns are
progressing, has been, for months
past, harmoniztng and Matchmaking
its strength.
Although local issues have been
forced into the canvass by the Re
publican party in some Of the States,
as instanced by the Public School
question in Ohio, and while the Dem
ocratic party has seemed to be hope
lessly divided on the question Of fl
nance the great aim Of Democrats eve
rywhere has been to perfect the organ
ization of their party, get control OF
the State governments in which cleo
tons are approaching, in order to
WELD an invincible moral force upon
the future destinies of the party, to
throw their organization into line
with the great National Democracy,
and thus be able, in the coming Pres
idential contest, to present to the
voting masses of the country a har-
monized, compact and powerful or
ganization.
These objects are paramount to all
others. The financial issue, though
national in its character, and posses
sing an Importance that concerns the
individual interests of the masses, is
not ona that nan ha catt1af1 in noliti