The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-06-28
CAN'T IN POLITICS.

CANT IN POLITICS.
Editor Democrat The biennial cpl
iemic Of what may call Cant IN Poll
ties has made its appearance and bids
fair to rage with violence until the assetn-
bling of the Baton Rouge Convention.
We have to nominate candidates for the
Governefship and various other State
Offices. There are numerous asprants
for these positions. Some Of them
openly proclaim their candidncy; others.
with pardonabe difiidence, while. long |
ing for the honor OF nomination, yet
shrink from the fierce gaze Of public
criticism still others. of whom the Hon.
Tom Anderson. on the Radical side.
may be taken as the type, while plotting
and scheming to attain tiieir object,
affect u holy horror oil what ls cnllea
office seeking and violently assali those
who proclaim themselves candidates.
Now, Mr.. Editor, there is u vast]
amount Of cant and sham patriotism IN
these men OF the latter class. Their
constant cry is that "the Office should
seek the man." This is n beautiful
sentiment and may perhaps be found In
practical operation In Utopia, but 50
FAR ms reading and observation have
taught me there Is but one striking
instance Of II in the history OF these
United States, and that Is the case. Uf
say. as u general rule, that every Office
of great honor or profit Is the object OF
fierce contention, and so 1t will be until
vanity and cupidity cease to be human
traits.
Offices like that of the governorship
Of u great State, to which large patron
age attaches, have long since lost the
habit. II they ever had II, OF seeking &C.
r,ipat,ts. Like women, they must be
u
| politjcs. ns in love, none but the bola
ieeerve success. For my part, rs an
| American Democrat, / like to see the
ambition OF my fellow wcitizens ana their
desire for political distinction called
forth To their fullest extent In o frienuly
contest for the governorship o1 the
State. Such ambition is hlghIy nohoI
| able and does not call for concealtlenb.
| sincerely believe that there 10 not ah
able-bodied and able-mlndea man II
the State who would not. esteem "
high honor. and one worth struggling
| for. To he the Democratic or Conserva-
/ tive Governor Of Louisiana, and lose
ali patjepce with those who prate about
aalf- sacrifice and patriotic Willingness
to serve If the office is thrust upon them.
Some of the men who talk in this way
are sincere. but most OF them, Leei
sure. are just as eager to have the once
thrust upon them us those VINO openly
/ seek 1t. ..,,
hive no admiration for the dark
horse" or the great or small unknown
I like the man who frankly proelalms
himself candidate, and says to his Tel
low citizens i'm effect, u solicit your SUI.
frapes. NY record and my public aud
private character are before you ana
subject to your criticism. Apply TO me
the Jetfersoniun test. Is he honest Is
he capable? p IT you select me as your
standard bearer, | will serve you TO the
best of my ability. II you select some
otte else In preference to me, Will WORK
faithfully for his success and the tri-
umph of our common cause.
He submits his aspirations to the sober
Judgment of his fellow-citizens, gives
them ample time for mature reflection.
and wages n fair and honest contest in
the open light OF day The "Great Un-
known" on the contrary, can only hope
to profit by the fierce spirit OF rivalry
and the conflict OF antagonistlc Interests
engendered in political contests HIS
nomination is the result OF u hasty COM
promise. and be may truly be said to be
hnobody's choice.p Now, much mis-
take the temper Of the people OF Louis
lana II, in their present political emer.
pency. they are In the humor to select
for their standard bearer political
nonentity. They want q leader--one
. whom, because of their knowledge. ol
his courage. honesty and capacity, they
, can trust to lift them out OF the slough
of despond into which they have fallen
one who knows public plunderer when
he sees him, and, knowing. will dare
to strike him down, be he high or low
one who, If fairly elected will take pos
, session of his office in spite OF Return
ing Boards and judicial writs, and pro
tea the people in their rights. This II
the kind Of man we want, and the mar
, who best meets these requirements II
the most available candidate for the
times. Let all Of the candidates come
boldly forward and submit to being
weighed in the balance of impartla
criticism. Respectfully, yours, etc,
FAIR PLAY.