The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-08-20
SILK STOCKINGS ". SHORT HAIRS.

Editor Democrat-The war OF the
factions In the Conserve
tive party. Familiarity known az the "Silk
stockings" and "Short Hairs" Is con-
feat likely to have an unfortunate result
II their differences shall not be com
rosed prior to the assembling OF the
Parish Convention. 1t Is therefore I'M
Dortapt that an amicable settlement OF
those differences sh ,uld be made at once
and before the breach has been widened
by angry words and actions which rem
der difficult retraction and recall; Inc
writer OF this communication, who for
vears has taken a somewhat active rart
In politics, though he never held Office
of any kind, and who Is sOlicitous Tor
the success OF the Democratic Conserva-
tive party at the approaching election,
would urge upon those who are Identl-
fled with the movement looking TO the
organization Of "IndepeDdcnt Clubs"
the advisability OF considering well the
tendencies of such proceeding. With
ont union and harmony it IL more than
nossibe that the object they nave IN
yiew-the nomination and election OF
good men-may he defeated. IL both
factions desire this object to be accom-
plished-as the writer believes 1t IS not
easy to see the propriety OF this indie
nendent" movement, which Is only
calculated to create DISSATISFACTION and
hard feelings, in the ranks OF the party.
and perhaps provoke a counter-move-
ment which otherwise would not DO
instituted.
The .'Independents" assert first, that
the ward organizations are in the hands
OF "bad men" who are manipulating
these organizations for their own ends Z;
,,pis IA Hnn mi tee 10
an IRRESPONSIBLE body who are conduct
ING the campaign In the interest OF GER
tain individuals, aud not to promote the
public interest; thirdly, that the ticket
put forward by the convention called IN
this parish will be such as not to give
satisfaction; and fourthly, that under
such circumstances the funds necessary
to carry on the campaign Will not be
forthcoming.
Now with regard to the first objection,
viz: that the ward ganizationS are
controlled by "bsd men," (which is by
no means admitteJD j would ask whose
fault is it? What right have citizens to
complain Of state of things arising out
of their IN neglect OF duty Is 1t not
notorious that these exclusive gentle
men have been in the habit OF keeping
aloof from the primaries as beneath their
dignity, and because their attendance
there would bring them In contact with
persons aud proceedings distasteful 70
their notions OF class distinction !? Ii
this be true-and no one acquainted
with our political history and desires to
be impartial will deny it-what right
have those whose conduct is here de-
scribed to claim that they shall dictate
to the regular party organiza-
tions. and that their views must
prevail? Do they not constitute mi
nority Of the party? Upon what prin-
ciple then do they claim to override the
majority and designate the leaders OF
that majority as "bad men ?" Is not
that a new doctrine to announce in the
Democratic Conservative party that the
many shall yield to the few +? What
right have these erclusiue citizens to
arrogate to themselves all the virtue
and all the intelligence Of the commu-
nifty and to apply offensive. epithets to
all who do not agree with them and
recognize their divine right to rule
2. With regard to the second accuse
ton. viz: that the Parish Committee
is an irresponsible body and are con-
Quoting the campaign In the interest OF
certain Office seekers and not for the
general good, this Is charge which is
not supported by any facts yet brought
forward. The committee was chosen
under the rules and provisions governing
such election, and II Its composition Is
not satisfactory to the independents"
there was q proper time and method OF
presenting charges against Its members
and the evidence sustaining them. II
cannot he regarded as the right Of a
minority TO secede from the majority
merely because their paucity OF mum
bers disables them from constituting
the committee rs they wish. This
charge may be dismissed as not proven
and improbable. IT true there is a
ric bit way Of remedying the evil without
creating dissatisfaction in the party and
an independent movement.
3. The third reason assigned for the
Of Independent Clubs"
is that the ticket to be put before the
people by the Parish Convention will
not be satisfactory to that element OF
the party, and. therefore, to force
better ticket the independent movement
has been set on foot. Here, again, an
assertion is made without proof, and
denial is always equal in weight to an
charge. But If the "Inde-
pendents" had desired to act fairly in
this matter, was it not their duty to re-
main within the party lines and exer
else SuCn influence dS tneIT larger cXDc-
rience and higher intelligence might
enable them to do, rather than to break
away from those lines and set up for
themselves? Is it not fair inference
that their secession is due to the fact
that they were determined to control
the party and its nominations, or break
it up? There is every reason to expect
that the ticket will be better than the
Retormers predict.
The fourth reason given for the Inde-
movement IL, that unless the
views OF its adherents shall prevail, the
necessary funds for carrying on the
campaign cannot be had. That Is to
saw. unless the candidates of their
cnoice shall be nominated. they will not
subscribe money for the purposes Of the
There is something in this
threat, but there is one way OF treating
it, and that is by defiance, and adopting
such measures MS will secure in other
quarters the funds needful in the prose
cution OF the campaign. In war there is
no movement on the part OF the enemy
that cannot be met 10y a counter-move-
in, ,nliti..,I onntouti,nc