The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-12-02

you, briefly ~ possible, the ideas We entertain Ok
our obligations and relations.
The DEMOCRAT claims TO be party paper; 1t
was established % s1ch IL has been conducted q
such, and, while IL IL In the hands Of its present
proprietors, 1t will be conducted as such.
/ and my associates believe that this is q gov
the medium of parties that State and Federal sd-
ministrations can carry out their policies. That
party associations and factions are Identical is
| fallacy that has been OF late years advanced and
inculcated by empirical and illogical journals and
politicians. No political theory could be more
dangerous to free institutions. or give more power
to ambitious and interruptions politicians Party
organization combines men in q common pur-
pose, upon common principles, for the common
good; whereas, by the new and heterodox theory
termed Independence" all political connections
are dissolved and the people, without concert,
order or ipine, incapacitated to resist en-
croschments upon their rights and liberties.
When good citizens adopt the loose ideas Of
bad men adopt the vigorous agencies OF party
discipline and combine to carry out their ideas
and advance the personal fortunes OF their own
chiefs.
An illustrious statesman has said that duty de-
mands that what 10 right should be made preva-
lent, and he affirms that the only agency by
which to perform that duty IL party organiza-
ton.
These. Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen, are, very
briefly, the views Of myself and associates in the
DEMsoRAT, aud 1t Is upon this theory that we are
publishing party paper.
And permit me to say, gentlemen Of the board,
that these views are in direct antagonsm to what
is known az personal organism. Conducting
political journal upon the theory have laid down,
we can never publish paper that will be the or
gan OF any individual or official, or the servile
mouthpiece OF any administration. The DEMO-
oRAT aspires to be the friend and representative
OF the people OF Louisiana, and, IL 1t is that, 1t
must, Of necessity, be the organ OF that admins.
tration elected by the people, possessing the
confidence and affection OF the people, and which
has done so much to advance the interest, honor
and happiness of Louisiana.
desire to say, Mr.. President and gentlemen,
that we do not desire to hold such relations to
the Administration that all our utterances will
be accepted as the official utteranoes OF the Ad-
mnstration. We could not do that without sur
rendering that high and manly independence
which can alone render party journalism useful
to the people, and without accepting the servile
and unmanly office OF simply reproducing the
ideas and views OF gentlemen in office. Our own
sense Of self-respeot; our own sense of duty to
the people Of Louisiana, which, permit me to
say, overrides with us every other consideration,
would force us to refuse this contract IL 1t were
offered upon such terms.
know, however, Mr.. President, that this board
would not tender it to as Under any such stipula
tionss and that you as the head Of the government
would scorn to hold official relations with Jour
nal which could be made mere reflex OF your |
when it should be the organ OF
the people of Louisiana.
MIR. Charmen and gentlemen, I have en-.
deavored to present as clearly as possible the |
theory upon which the DEMOCRAT has been and |
will continue to be conducted. It is right and |
proper that we should fully understand our rela- |
t Ssa t. each s other or this
the DEMOCRAT will support the State |
in every instance, and in |
every particular, and upon every question upon |
which the DEMOCRAT can conscientious1y agree |
Il, nsusal
and associates to say that the DEMOCRAT will go no
further than that; nay, not for all the printing
in the Union. 1t ia just to myself and |
associates to say that the DEMOCRAT will under |
no circumstances be the personal organ Of any |
living man; and that its first. last and only pur-
pose will be- as it has been, to advocate and main
ain what ts conductors believe to be the interests
If the people. And, gentlemen, let me say in
that the policy have outlined will
be pursued by the DEMOCRAT whether you con.
irm the vote just given eF aes
Gentlemen, you owe nothing to the DEMOCRAT
md the DEMOCRAT owes nothing to you, save
hat cordial honest and manly support which
nay be due to the faithful, conscientious mem.
oers OF Democratic administration; and that,
assure you on the honor OF man. representing
men, you will receive, whether you
confirm the vote you have just cast or withdraw it.
MIR. Leonhard moved that the president ap-
,oint committee Of two to
DRAW UP THE CONTRACT
With Geo. W. Dupre.
Lieut. Gov. Witt amended by adding that the
be authorized to consult with the
Attorney General. As amended the motion pre-
allied,
The president appointed the committee that
erved last year, VIZ: Col. Bush and MIR. Leon
lard.
Speaker Bush stated that he did not believe
here was any question resulting from the address
f the party elected. He had, he said, placed his
Jews before the board, which were very proper,
9 the Speaker supposed.
Gov. Nichols remarked that there was no
uestion relating to an official organ in the mat
er that he could see. He did not see that the
ote taken required any reconsideration.
The minutes Of the previous meetings held were
hen read and approved. and on motion OF Lieut..
tov. Wiltz the board adjourned subject to call.