The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-01-05
THE CONVENTION AND ITS OPPOR-
TUNITIES.

arrived, while more are known to be on tht
/ way.
The Legislature will meet at II O'Clock, and
an early adjournment will probably give
members who are delegates chance to take
their places in the Convention.
The fret work Of the body, after the
examination of credentials by an appropriate
committee, will be the selection OF per
N anent President-no easy choice, Tor while
we could select a dozen or more from the list
of delegates, thoroughly honorable and
worthy. we should still be at a loss to name
the one best fitted for the responsible and
honorable position. Of President Of the Anti
Radical Convention. In the duty of presid-
ing there is much that an incompetent man
must fall short OF, however popular he may
be or whatever talents in other pursuits he
NAV have shown. There is certain force OF
character, not easily defined, which, when
joined with average abilities, fits the pos
SCISSOR to marshal, organize, moderate and
command deliberative body. One or more
possessed Of this force might be found among
the delegates; and if there are several, then
the ablest among them should be chosen,
whether young or old. The President ought
to be acquainted with the leading men OF the
party throughout the State, and favorably
known to them. He ought to be able to dis
cern the drift of opinion and feeling in the
Convention, and to detect at once every
token of rising storm Of dissension. He
ought to know something Of the rules which
govern delberative bodies, and he ought to
see clearly the bearings, relations and effect
Of every motion, vote or resolution. A dull
presiding officer will soon involve body in q
multitude of tangles and muddles.
The judicious selection of a permanent
President is Of still greater importance from
the fact that it devolves upon him to appoint
q State Committee, since on such committee
the success Of the party depends to no small
extent The State Committee Of the Anti
Radical party ought to represen as nearly as
possible the strength of our party. The men,
bers should be appointed with reference to
their judgment, their local and general infu-
ence, the esteem in which they are held at
home and elsewhere, and their unselfish and
honest zeal in the service of the cause of the
people and in the promotion Of political re-
forms. The President of the Convention
ought to have liberality enough to select the
right men, wholly regardless of any personal
likes OF dislkes of his own.
We have had presidents of Democratic Con-
ventions in this State who knew how to
select and combine the elements Of power by
appointing State committees capable of all
the duties assigned to them committees who
titled and utilized every square foot Of the
political field and who combined and concen-
trated every available element OF political
strength. We might again have such a COM
mittee, and in order that we may have it, we
hope the Convention will be circumspect in
their choice Of the President who is to APP
point it.
The selection of delegates to the National
Democratic Convention will occupy but little
lime. One delegate and one alternate for
each Congressional district will probably
be nominated by the delegates of the
district and accepted by the Convention,
while two delegates and two alternates at
arge for the whole State will be nominated
n and elected by the entire Convention. This
duty is important yet plain, without diff
Guilty, and in no respect liable to cause dis
,ension or debate. We hope that the Demo-
Gratis of the State will be represented in the
National Convention by citizens of the first
order of ability and of high character.
We conceive that the general duty Of this
will be chiefly to take such meas
Tres and utter such declarations of senti-
nent as will gather, organize and solidify all
opponents Of the Radical party into united
opposition thereto. Whatever promises to
promote such unity should be accepted by
he Convention with hearty good will and
unanimously; but whatever threatens to pro-
luce discord, or to ALLEVIATE any class Of the
lends Of reform or of the antagonists of
tsdical misrule in the State or in the Federal |
ought to be scrupulously |
voided. The latter may readily be known |
y any oPPooitAoA ~ Accb /
nth in the body of the Convention. Any
elton opposed to the views or obnoxious to
be wishes and feelings of even one-ffth of
be delegates will certainly do more harm
han good. Harmony and maion should be
he watchwords of the opponents of Radical
I'M from this time forth and until taey have
ccomplished the overthrow Of our enemies.
No suggestions appear to be required re-
ting TO details Of action or particular topics
. be discussed. Knowing the sterling char
cter of the components of the body, we are
filing to entrust to it the well-being and des-
mics of the party to the full extent Of the
powers.
PER DIEM AND MILEAGE.
Il o110oO oIu