The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-07-22
..ryrRY, OR GRANT AND DURELL,
WHICHg
New ORLEANS, July 21, 1876.

WHIJHs
New ORLEANS, July 21, 1876.
rd;tor Democrot-I write In no spirit
ha,,tti haa'a,,rttisanship, but from belief that
p,aople are being led to commit a
oul - error. 1t Is OF little moment to
gIasu.onle at large, perhaps, who among
tne psIih honorable and well tried citizens
tesIIi, te.I, he selected to head the ticket
snnmi sniast Radical rule In Louisiana. But
49, eIkora Ia a deeper Significance In this
lurn,arn. lura A question that goes to the
%at paa,t and intelligent conviction OF every
nir,nkinp man stands athwart the very
.nhrssshod OF the coming election: 1t
%nnot Justly or honestly be avoided.
II must be met, and should be met
n'suarely. Louisiana has held sadly
sraominent position before the whole
snntry for the last four years. In her
g Igssary has constitutional liberty been
& pu,a,yoatied. In her humiliation has local
snnis.goyernment been humbled, and the
ssatriotic hopes that germiuated in 1776
{ Rsve been sorrowfully tTailed In the
! dust" OF 1876.
a'1' Il was believed and hoped that re-
ara Of open, high toned integrity would
eommand the appreciation OF the people
In this contest.
n Was believed that a record of disin-
,srested devotion to the cause OF right,
md steady adhesion to the interests of
n representative government, against
fraudulent returning boards, corrupt
courts and military domination, would
III emblazoned on the banner OF the
peope OF Louisiana in 1876.
And now, can any one tell why mon
eyed circles and combination commit
iees should attempt 10 turn aside the
,,aAnlp onI gtthGfiffItp for
their loved standard bearer the choice
~ a committee in whose ranks are men
WHO never have, and probably never
will. vote the Democratic ticket? The
name of John McEnery is indissolubly
identified with the cause OF Louisiana.
When her political existence as u FREQ
and equal State was threatened he stood
manfully. steadily and unflinchingly in
the breach When wavering citizens and
seIf-seeking politicians showed symp-
IONS of disorganization, and heart
sickness followed hopes deferred; when
temptations to compromise and make
terms mith Kellogg came like whisper
ings from the weak and stirred
the greed Of political jackalls; when, in
snort. the trials of the past, the doubts
OF the present, and the apprehensions
of the future had made our people
1 1AlnI-UHtilLtd anu ttiiuOph iFboy w
surrender. it was then that John Nc
Emery stood out firm, intlexible,
attempted and undismayed, the
leader of his people and the guardian
Of their political honor! 1t was then
he put aside offers of high personal pre-
ferment and the control OF the richest
patronage in the State, as the price OF
simple withdrawal and abandonm ent
of the cause of the McEnery govern
mept.
He stood by the faith his people
had placed in him. To-day, stripped OF
his property, forced to leave a good
practice in bis country home, and seek
livelihood In a new professional arena,
It is proposed to put the stigma OF re-
proach upon him for his past four years
OF patriotic devotion, and push him
aside for a new leaderl
1t seems impossible that Louisiana
could thus cast reproach upon faithful
representative and brave defender.
The idle stories Of this or that gentle
man ''controlling" McEnery are hardly
worthy Of notice. Those who know
Governor McEnery are not SO deceived.
| challenge the public men OF the State
to point 10 single trait In his char
acter, save possibly his generous heart
edness, that warrants such an interpre-
tation. A man OF vigorous and clear
intellect, strong will, amounting al
most to perversity when principle is
involved, q well balanced mind and ma
tured convictions, the experience OF the
past four years has prepared him bet
ter perhaps. than any other man. to
WELD successfully and impartially the
reins of government In this State.
The defeat of McEnery would tell the
world that his people withheld the
stamp of their approval of his past
record Of trial. AS his name is identi.
fed with the struggle of Louisiana In
. defense of self-government, SO will his
defeat be a triumph and vindication o.
Grant and Williams and Durell and
Sheridan. Are our people prepared to
do this ? Yours, DEMOCRAT.