The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-09-22
AN HONEST LETTER.
HON. CHAs. GAYARRE AND THE AMER
ICAN ASSOCIATION.


members of the American Association In this
city, touching O request from them that he
would submit his name to the voters of the
First Congressional District as q candidate
for it's representation at the Federal capital.
The communication referred to will be found
below
New ORLEANS, September 20, 1878.
TO the Editor of the Democrat:
I think that under present circumstances.
! it is due to the American Association OF the
First Congressional District Of this State, and
equally due to myself, to. make known TO al
ued friends. the reasons why have persist
/ emily refused to join that association of my
fellow citizens do not see how can better
accomplish my purpose than to ask the favor
| Of your publishing In the DEMOCRAT q copy
of a communication which ! addressed some
time ago to q few Of those friends who were
the most urgent in their solicitations.
Respectfully, ETC.,
CHARLES GAyARRE.
NEW ORLEANS, August II, 1875
| To Messrs.
Dear Strs-It is proposed to me to join the
American Association as as 1t Is called, which,
although still retaining Its organization has,
| however, fused with the National party for
the purpose OF putting out O common ticket
! for the next November elections. 1t is be-
lieved by my friends that It follow their adj
vice In that respect, my chance to be selected
as candidate for Congress In the First Con-
| gressional District will be greatly increased.
/ Surely no man can sympathize more. than
/ do with the feelings OF those. who, like N y
SELF were born on the American soil and,
therefore, have common mother. But
would not the position which, with the very
best intentions, 1t Is desired that should
/ take, impose upon me obligations OF an en-
| barrassing and contradictory nature Shall
| nd n
derogatory to the dignity Of my public and
private character?
For instance, there will probably be on the
/ National ticket naturalized citizens. 1t
swear never to support for office any one OF
that class, which I understand to be the con
dition of my affiliating with the American AS
ISOLATION, how can permit myself to vote fol-
those candidates OF foreign birth? or are
4 there exceptional occasions on which this
oath may be violated or eluded? This is
what do not know
The members OF the NatiUtItti ptti " 5&s5H se
no other obligations than those stated in Its
platform. I alone, Ii join the American AS
sociation, existing as ON organization within
that party, will be bound by ties not known
by those who are outside of that association,
and which, perhaps, they might object to u
date presented to them for Congress. Would
they. or would many Of them at least, vote
for me II they were fully informed and with
out reserve Of the fact? II concealed from
their knowledge, would my attitude towards
them be hOnOrablef
Ii am q candidate for Congress I am al
most certain of the votes Of a large number
OF Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French and
other naturalized citizens, as well as Of the
votes of good many Conservative Demo
port me ON personal grounds. Would they
vote In my favor If they knew. that I had
taken as the sine qua non condition OF my
being supported by the native association,
aofb IF rot
against me, | certainly could not be elected,
and it would be much TO the detriment Of the
new party, which cannot afford to be signally
defeated on the threshold Of its existence. On
ing from the naturalzed citizens the nature
of my secret obligations, would not my char
acter be liable to be impeached. by them as
wanting in candor, veraeity and htgh-mind-
edness2
Besides, / could not take my seat In Con
gress without swearing to observe the consti-
tuition of the United States. Il, after taking
that constitutional oath, / allow 1t to be
conflict with the official and public sacrednese
of the former, shall / cut figure worthy OF
the elevated ground on which your represent
alive will aim at placing himself? The truth
I admit, may not be revealed, but 1t will be
known to myself, and then what part shall
perform in my own eyes and within the pre-
cincts of my own conscience? Would not my
self-esteem be somewhat abridged?
Among many cases which may present
themselves let us suppose one. Two candi-
dates for office are strongly recommended tc
the President Of the United States by certain
members OF the National party. One OF them
Is O. nnt,tralixed Citisen OF distinguished merit
the other is a native Of inferior qualifications
The President thinks proper to consult me.
He desires of me conscientious opinion, to
which he has an official right and on the
truthfulness Of which he implicitly relies II
compliment to my reputation and to the
&snt,
II tell the truth on the 7aatuaalised, citizen,
In conformity to what will be due
to that wing of the National party by
which he is recommended, the President
shall be accused by the other actng, of having
violated my oath. II, on the other hand, II
defiance Of truth, say that the ndt5ue is
superior Or equal to his naturalized opponent
shall be reereant to what is due TO one
fraction of the National party, to the Presi-
dent himself, and to those OF my felloW-citi
zens who, outside Of the party, will have
voted In my favor. omit to mention what Il
due to myself.
/ I might present many other considerations
which, no doubt, have escaped your atten
ton, because you have not, perhaps. reelected
as much as [ have on a subject in which, as 6
probable candidate, take keen and persona
interest. But further comments are, l be
lieve, unnecessary.
| hear 1t said that the National party, much
to it's credit, wants as candidates on It's ticket
none but men Of an irreproachabte character
I must, therefore, remain unassailable ant
irreproachable, we're it in the interest of tht
party alone. All my political opinions have
always been frankly and openly. expressed
for more than half century. I stand b.
that record. I have never kept anything. il
the background Of Discrimination. 1t is tot
late for me to change.
Ny position at the Capitol, II have tn
honor to be sent there, must be as much abov,
ground as possible, and hence cannot accept
other obligations than those WHICH are pub
licly imposed upon me by the platform OF tn
National party. It Is only by occupying al
exalted position at Washington that can b
useful to Louisiana. I think, therefore, that
mindful of the mission which may be given t.
me- it is my duty carefully to avoid anything
that could belittfe your Representative, ant
| further think that it would be sound polio.
on the part OF my friends to hell
effect Besides, think that, m.
friends Of the American Association
ought not, as matter of self
| :, 10 J1rr mo