The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-09-20
THE GNAsHIONALs,

The proceedings Of the National convention
yesterday were decidedly mixed. We are in
formed that one Dr.. Gardner, Of East Baton
Rouge, we believe was declared the nominee
for Treasurer, though exactly how he got the
nomination does not appear on The face OF the
papers. Gen. Beauregard, who had pre-
viously declined to allow his name to be used
In any such convention, received majority
on the only ballot cast, yet DIR. Gardner
turns up as the nominee.
This little discrepancy, however, amounts
to nothing beyond one OF many illustrations
of the general chaotic and mixed character OF
this so-called National party. 1t Is very easy
to see from what this party came, but that
any movement strong enough to get con-
ventton together should spring from such
sources Is a matter OF profound establishment
What is a more difficult matter is to divine
the mission this party has set itself to
fulfl-the public demand ii IL destined
to satisfy. The private and personal de-
mands are patent The convention yes
terday enunciated no platform. but
for that matter, we do not see that 1t needs
one. Indeed, after q second thought, we are
confident 1t Is better off without one. IL the
platform were honest and candid, 1t could
only premise that Whereas we who are
getting this thing up have been left; and
whereas, we should not have been; whereas,
we had an idea that when the Dem ocrats got
into power we should have an office: and
whereas, we have got none, as any man can
see with the naked eye; and whereas, some
Of lis were II, when the Radicals were run
ming the machine, and whereas, We arc out
now. THEREFORE, be 1t resolved, that this Is
all wrong, and we have got to get H., especial
ly Cullom and Castellanos attorneys at
law, Mad. Wells, Tom Anderson and others
whose names 1t is not now necessary to men,
ton, nor will be till they disclose what they
want.
This Is the only honest and candid platform
this hash OF q party could enunciate, but 1t is
very plain that this sort OF platform would
not be calculated TO fire the popular heart or
determine that habitual tcnce-straddler, the
independent voter to slide down on that side
OF tho public pasture Wherefore. the Ma
tional convention adopts no platform and
leaves tito each Of the different aspirants COM
posing the party ca to do his own phrase
making from his own individual stand
point. Standpoints differ, and therefore
platforms must differ, Mr.. FL. g. Castellanos
Gun fling In few touching words to the "Old
Line Wings He can utilize that element
even as Hayes has done, you know but there
are others who could not put in that plank
Admirable party this. Admirable for Mr.
Castolanos, also admirable for Judge Gull
lom. Equally admirable, il not more SO, for
Mad, Wells and Tom Anderson and the Hayes
fraud, John Sherman, and the Returning
Board
Let the people of this State bear In mind
the true meaning of this movement. It was
in Washington, by John Sherman
and his ilk, and its only import and purpose
is the vindication Of the Returning Board as
an offset to the Potter investigation. II this
Is not put down. Louisiana Is dis
graced for ever. Every vote cast by white
man or decent colored man for one Of the
candidates put up by this deyilish and dis
graceful combination, Is equivalent to con-
fession of outlines of all the infamies, the
savage murders and fiendish degradation.
charged by John Sherman against our people
as the sole justification Of his own abasement.
Let our people keep this In mind when they
are approached by special pleadings in the
interest Of individuals. Above all, the men
who are lending themselves, like pandars,
to the procurement of our dishonor, should
never, never be forgotten. All, we owe DR..
Gardner an apology-we have inadvertently
written an article about him and left him out
entirely. Probably we shall have an oppor-
tunity to make the aapende honorable before
the campaign Is over.