New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-26
The Independent Conference

this city, May Is, to confer together on the
political situation confirms our dispatches
in Important particulars; and most Of the
gentlemen who have eigned the call were
mentioned by our correspondent. So much
Of our prediction has been proved correct
1t remains to be seen whether the rest OF
the programme will be carried out. The
public already begins to look with no little
interest for some independent political de-
monstration. Exactly what form is shall
take is the question. strong and influen-
tial minority in the Republican ranks
men of intelligence. and some of them
men of conspicuous culture and position
are decidedly opposed to the nomina-
ton of mere politician at Cincinnati. They
country suffers to- day to partisan rule and
its inevitable corruptions. They insist that
the wheels Of the party organzition shall
be lifted out Of the deep ruts aud over the
mire to q new track, or the machine shall
be smashed if they can accomplish this re-
eult. There is no question that the Wor-
cester meeting in Massachusetts. whose ad-
dress was signed by 200 OF 800 of the
most eminent men in the State, means
Just this; and the New York call put forth
by such men as Bryant, WOOlsey, ex Gov
editor White has the same ObjecCive point.
1t is too early to prognosticate. but not
too coon to warn. The Liberals convened
at Cincinnati in 1872 with high hopes and
patriotic intentions, but they were outnum-
bered by the politicians. and the whole
movement was swamped before it was
fairly launched. 1t is question whether
the proposed movement can be kept out Of
the clutches and beyond the influence Of
professional politicians. Where the car
cass is the vultures will gather together.
Already there lie q growing disposition to
identify certain names with this indie
pendent demonstration, and thus to
forestall it's action and compromise
it from the start. 1t is plain to
500 that to strike on such rock
or sand bar would dash it in pieces or stick
it fast. The success of the demonstration
depends on the ability to keep it clear from
all political complications and Numbering
personalities till the time for action comes.
If it is designed primarily to influence tho
action Of the Cincinnati convention, it must
respect that body enough to leave the selec-
tion of candidates to it's choice. Its func
ton is the expression Of opinion, the pablo
utterance of . difused but inarticulate pub
lie sentiment which can not voice itself in
other ways. 1t can tell that convention
what sort of men it should nominate,
what views it should utter, what planks
it should nail down. 1t can set forth
tQ0 Tc1UTW prOSTumm0 81 tuot every UOOy
can see what it is, and the convention can
decide whether it will adopt its principles.
If it shall reject them and nominate mere
party hacks, the way will be open Tor &C.
ton, and the Independents can then name
their candidates and leave it f3r the s..
Louis convention to ratify their nOmina-
ton, and thus name the next President, If
it shall have the sagaciiy and courage to do
so wise and bold thing. But without
some such independent alliance the Demo
Gratis have not a shadow of q chance
Even go shrewd an observer as Mr.. Wat
terson. of tho Louisville C0urierJour,aal,
the leading Democratic paper in the
Southwest, says the Democrats have no
show whatever in tho West. Their only
hope is in the folly Of their opponents ami
their ability to take advantage of it. Be
tween Republican politician and a Dslno.
cratic politician the chances are alHD favor
of the former. An independent movement,
managed and representing admin
istrativo reform, q sound currency, wise
public improvements and tho new national
fee ling raised by the centennial, might
name candidates that would represent all
that is best in both PAT ties and all that is
most desirable in national administration.
But to be successful it must be kept out of
the hands of 10th impraosicables and pro-
fessiOnal politicians, and remain an unor
ganized influence till the necessity for
organization arIives.-Ne,o York Graphic.