The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-07-23
McENE1iY, OK GRANT AND DURELL,
WHICH,
NEW ORLEANS, July 81, 1876.

| NEW OHLEANs, July ~, 1910.
| Editor Den0crat--I write in no spirit
OF partisanship, but from belief that
our people are being led to commit q
grave error. It Is OF little moment to
| the people at large, perhaps. who among
several honorable and well tried citizens
shall be selected TO head the ticket
against Radical rule In Louisiana. But
there Is deeper Significance in this
campaign. A question that goes to the
heart and intelligent conviction OF every
| thinking man stands athwart the very
threshold OF the coming election II
cannot Justly or honestly be avoided.
IL must be met, and should be- met
sauarely. Louisiana has held "a sadly
prominent position before the whole
country for the last four years. In her
history has constitutional liberty been
travestied. In her humiliation has local
self-government been humbled, and the
patriotic hopes that terminated in 177G
have been sorrowfully trailed In the
dust" Of 1876.
II was believed and hoped that re.
cord OF open, heightened integrity would
command the appreciation OF the people
In this contest.
II was believed that record Of disin-
terested devotion TO the cause Of right,
and steady adhesion TO the interests OF
of representative government, against
fraudulent returning boards, corrupt
courts and military domination, would
be emblazoncd on the banner Of the
people Of Louisiana In 1876.
And now, can any one tell why mon
eyed circles and combination commit
tees should attempt 70 turn aside the
voice Of the people, and substitute for
their loved standard bearer the choice
OF q committee in whose ranks are men
who never have, and probably never
will. vote tho Democratic ticket The
name OF John McEnery Is indissolubly
identified with the cause Of Louisiana.
When her political existence as u free
and equal State was threatened he stood
mapfully, steadily and unilinchingly in
the breach. When wavering citizens and
self-seeking politicians showed symp-
toms OF Reorganization, and heart
temptations TO compromise and make
terms NTH Kellogg came like whisper
ings from the weak.hearted and stirred
the greed OF political jackalls when, in
short, the trials OF the past, the doubts
OF the present, and the apprehensions
OF the future had made our people
faint-hearted and almost ready 10
surrender, IL was then that John Nc
Emery stood out firm, intiexible,
untempted and undismayed, the
leader OF his people and the guardian
OF their political honor! IL 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 abandonment
of the cause Of the McEnery govern
ment.
He stood by the faith his people
had placed In him To-day, stripped Of
his property, forced to leave Il good
practice In his country home, and seek
livelihood In u new professional arena,
IL is proposed to put the stigma OF re-
proach upon him for his past four years
Of patriotic devotion, and push him
aside for u new leader
It 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 80 deceived
/ challenge the public men Of tho State
to point to n single trait In his char
acter, save possibly his generous heart
edncss, that warrants such an interpre-
tation. man OF vigorous and clear
intellect, u strong will, amounting al
most to perversity when principle IL
involved, 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 inpartially the
rens 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 or Louisiana In
defense OF self-government, 80 will his
defeat be a triumph and vindication Of
Grant and Williams and Durell and
Sheridan. Are our people prepared to
do this Yours, DEMOCRAT.