The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-06-03
THE BATON ROuGy CONVENTION.
IMPORTANCE or HtRH0Ny ~ THE
paRTl-ISstEs TNTOI|Eb.
ssauaiaasrs Must he the Embodiment Of
the Platform.

Editor Dcmocrdt-The time is rapidly
approaching when the Democratlc-Con-
seryatiye party OF Louisiana VIII noml-
nate delegates to attend the State Con
vention to be holden mt Baton Rouge on
the gath of July proximo.
This convention, when assembled,
will be one of no ordinary character. il
will have the selection of candidates tor
the various State Offices to whom II
elected. will be entrusted the interests
Of our people for four years. Upon its
prudent action and choice OF proper
leaders will depend the harmony OF the
marty and the success of the Democratic
State ticket. Efforts are being made 70
disintegrnte the party whose existence
is coeval with the government and at q
time when union Is absolutely essential
to the Inauguration of good government
i'm Louisiana. A few ambitious men.
aiming to control the politics OF the
State. are hoping to achieve success
under the nomenclature Of q ne,r party
organization. Conceding the right OF
every man TO aspire to public station.
official preferment is nevertheless gift
OF the people and not a right which any
individual can demand. The intrigues
and combinations OF mere place hunters
are dangers to be avoided II political
organization would achieve enduring
success.
II is unfortunately true that too ire
auently In conventions cliques are
formed to further individual interests,
under the conviction that nomination
is virtually an election, and thus party
ia made to assume responsibility That
often threatens its success.
This evil is attributable to the fact
that too little interest Is manifested 10y
the masses of the community in the
local primary assemblages. and by rea-
sop of this general apathy aud uncon-
cern. delegates, seeking the position
simply because the belief is entertained
by them that thereby they are afforded
the opportunity Of securing pecuniary
compensation or place. are chosen by
mere fraction of the party.
Selections of this character have
thrown suspicion upon political con
yentions, and been made the occasion
of independent nominations. BY iden-
tjfyipg themselves with the central
ward clubs and causing their influence
and strength to be exerted in the pri-
mary asaemblages, 1t is within the
power of the people to remedy such
evils. and the barter in votes, SO often
shamelessly practiced, will be effect
ually prevented. In the campaign upon
which we are entering. the Democratic
SOlseINutNc parry Shv"i" s"n,. ~ VI
vision. Our people demand relief from
the heavy burdens which for eight long
wears they have been compelled to
bear. Retrenchment and reform
must not only be promised, but
+, ronscientiously and faithfully car
ried into execution. Taxation must
be reduced and the expenditures
Of the State government confined to
the legitimate purposes for which the
government was instituted. Our candi-
dates must be above reproach. aud pos
sess the confidence and respect of the
people. Political platforms are too fire.
uuently delusive, "made to the ear to be
broken to the hope" Our candidates
mtst be the embodiment of our plat
form. known and read of all men. !"
their character and actions in the past,
rather than their professions for the
future, must challenge the faith and
evoke the enthusiasm of the people.
In view or the magnitude of the inter
ests involved. feel assured that gentle
men will be selected by the Baton
Rouge Convention, as the standard
bearers OF the Democratic party. in
whom Louisianians can implicitly con-
tide and around whom they can rally
with enthusiasm and pride, confident
that. under the inspiration of such a
leadership, victory, good government
and consequent prosperity will be as
sured. From this time onward let the
motto Of our party be: A ticket COM
posed Of men capable and honest; a
union Of effort: the redemption OF the
State from official corruption and mis-
rule CITIZEN.
Get your rooms in advance.