The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-07-16

Editor Of New Orleans Democrat;
The Bulletin of the 18th inst. pub
fishes over the signature OF Citizen"
n long and detailed attack upon the
record of Hon. Louis A. WIZ. The
avowed purpose Of the article Is to
prove that Mr.. Wiltz has been true
neither to the Democratic party nor to
the State. and that, consequently, ne IS
not n fit man to be nominated at Baton
Rouge for the office OF Governor OF Lou
isiana. A number of very grave charges
are embraced in the communication OF
"Citizen,' and freely concede that, II
they are true, as whole or in part,
Mr.. Wiltz is utterly unworthy OF the
nomination for the high and responsible
Office in connection with which his
name has been SO widely and so Halter
ingly mentioned. :,
Mr. Wiltz is public mana candi-
date. in fact, for n very exalted posi-
tionLand every citizen has q perfect
right to arraign his record before the
people. He does not shrink from the
trial; nay, conscious OF the integrity OF
the motives which prompted every act
OF his political and official life, he and
his friends solicit the fullest and freest
discussion OF his record, and desire that
every act Of his be thoroughly scrutln-
| lied. Citizen" / understand to be a
|
community; gentleman, like Mr..
Wiltz, with deep interest in the pros
perity Of the State, and, like Mr.. Witt,
! sincerely solicitous for the redemption
of Louisiana, It Is n splendid compll-
ment to Mr.. Wiltz, yet o very young
man. that his record has been such rs
TO make him one of the most conspicu-
Gus Of our citizens for the high office ol
Governor, and the first choice OF ma
jority Of the Democrats and Conserva'
tives OF New Orleans, as well as OF the
! people of a number of the country par.
ishes. Yet the compliment would mo-
be complete were there none to attach
him. none to feel an interest in his de
feat. and he must feel some qualification
in the fact that, the attack upon HIM II
vigorous, and that it comes from con
scientious and eminent citizen. In'
attack is, in fact, recognition OF Mr.
Wiltz's power and influence. and indi
Gates that he holds so strong positloi
In the hearts Of his fellow citizens. tina
it has been deemed necessary by thos'
in the party opposed to his nomlnatlo'
, to assault him through their ablest mel
, and with their most vigorous weapons
|. In opening this reply to the attack upol
! Mr.. Wiltz, do not claim that he ma
Z not committed mistakes. In the pas
troublous eight years in which the com
, bined wisdom and patriotism OF on
] leaders have been impotent to give re
: lief, or scarcely hope, to our people
: during a period OF fraud, or
/ preston and civil revolution, vergin
. on civil violence, who among those VIII
! have been in the front has committed n
: error? Who among US has been so In
=. spired by Divine wisdom that he ha
: been right in every counsel ne gave
and in every act he engaged in? Ca
! ! ''Citizeno lay his hand upon his hear
E and say to this overburdeped, impoyel
y ished and ng-suffering people, tha
q his wisdom from 1868 until tn
I hour has been unerring. and that II, |
i followed, peace and prosperity woul
\ n now reign in our midst? When tn
council Of the party assemblies at Bato
,f Rouge, to select the wisest and brave,
a OF us for a leader, let him who is Will
Is out blame or error cast the nrst ston