The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-06-23
THE FIRST DUTY or THE DEM0C'
RACY

with the harmony OF our people and
prevent the complete triumph Of the
Democratic Conservative party In the
November election, may be created by
the election Of improper men to the
nominating conventions; men who,
through intrigue, corrupt bargaining
and selfish combinations, may impose
upon the party candidates who cannot
meet the test of integrity and capacity.
And this test, if it hopes to carry the
approaching election, must be vigorous
ly applied by the Democratic-C -Conserva-
tive party to all its candidates.
The people are sickened with the long
reign Of incapacity and corruption OF
the Radical party, and they are anxious
to have State government they can
honor and respect; legislature which
understands the real interests OF the
State a judiciary at once learned and
honest, and parish officials whom they
can trust and esteem. This feeling has
become 50 general and so strong that 1t
absolutely imposes upon the Demo-
cratic Conservative party the necessity
of sending truly representative men,
untrammeled, to the nominating con-
ventions; men who cannot be induced to
barter away this or that position to Sc
cure the nomination of some friend or
master to some other office; men who
will consult, first, last and all the time,
the public interest, and vote for no one
for a nomination who is not a capable
and honest man.
II tricksters, bummers and traffickers
in nominations obtain control or the
primaries, and send delegates to the
different conventions who will ignore
the very plain facts we are telling them,
and nominate Objectionable candidates.
We very much fear the independent
movement which has been checked and
can now be easily and utterly crushed by
wise and polite action, will assume
again an aggressive character.
Men who have only personal ends to
serve, or who are the tools OF stronger
men, ought not, at this important
juncture, to sway the destinies OF the
only party which promises any hope OF
relief to this unfortunate State. AS we
have said in former article, the Demo
cratic party goes into this contest as
reform party. The campaign will be
made chiefly. IL not entirely, In this
State on the issue of reform. II, then, our
candidates do not fully represent reform
IL they are not men, the sober minded,
honest and industrious classes can feel
confidence in; il they are mere PROBES
sional off1ce-seekers and bummers, how
can we expect that unity and enthusiasm
among the people which are absolutely
essential to insure our success The
Democratic Conservative party, we re-
peat, is a reform party, and 1t must
apply its reform views and standards to
| its own men even more vigorously than
to those OF the adverse party. Indeed,
the country looks only to the Demo
cratic Conservative Convention for men
to represent reform, and there will be
deep disappointment IL that convention
fails the public expectation.
The party embraces great majority
Of the best classes of the people OF the
State, morally, socially and politically
But it has also, as all parties have. its
unworthy members. Italways will have
them. IT cannot prevent accessions OF
them to it's ranks. As its chances oi
success increase, the number OF its un-
worthy followers will increase. But II
can keep all such in proper subordina-
ton; and this is, just now, the most i'm
portant duty OF the party. Only the
best men of the party should control its
action and receive its leadership and
honors.
We write in the exercise OF our duty
as Democratic journalist and in the in.
terest Of the great party upon whose
actions we sincerely believe depends
the future Of Louisiana. We do not
wish to assume the role Of Sad Cas-
sandra, but we believe these words OF
warming are proper and may do good
We do not write to those who wear the
livery Of Democracy in which to serve
selfish and personal ends. We write tc
the great mass Of the party whose duty
it is to participate in the primary meet
ings and see that representative men
are sent to the parish and State conven'
tions in the interest OF the public. The
united Democratic and Conservative
people Of the State and city are anxious
to support the Democratic Conservative
nominations, and il those nominations
shall be what it is hoped and believed
they will be; If they be men truly rep
tesenting what the State requires, what
the people desire, and. In truth, hunger
for; if they shall represent REFoRM
there will be perfect, cordial and ir.
resistible union Of tho Democrats ano
Conservatives in their support, and
Radicalism will be swept from power
and utterly destroyed in Louisiana.
GOV. TILDEN.
4 We print to-day very able lettel