The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-08-18
THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS.

The large number of obscure men who have
been nominated for Congress by the Repub-
leans would seem to Indicate an immense
lack Of confidence somewhere. Either the
party Is grievously dissatisfied with it's pres
emit representatives, or else the best men Of the
party see no chance OF reelection and have
allowed the small fry to get the nominations
and make q hopeless race, thus saving them
selves the bad prestige of defeat. 1t Is not
probable that SO many unknown and untried
men would be placed In the ticket II the
stronger ones were not hopeless of success.
On the other hand, the Democrats are pur-
suing exactly the opposite course and have
put up in almost every instance their strong
est men. A conspicuous instance Is the retire.
ment In one of the Cincinnati districts of the
Bounding Banning and the nomination in
his place OF Goss, @ gentleman of great per-
sonal influence and distinguished abilities.
Another instance is the nomination OF Gen.
Beale In place of Douglass, OF Virginia. Ex-
cept in such instances as this where the sit
ting member has proved a conspicuous fail
ure, the old members have been renominated
as a rule. This Is very fair indication Of
what the leaders OF the two parties think in
regard to the result of the next election.
In this connection we observe that
the New York Tribune has changed
it's tune in regard to the tactics Of
the congressional campaign. Heretofore 1t
has been urging strenuous and aggressive
fight in a number Of Southern districts, which
it is pleased to call doubtful" because they
happen to have negro maiOrities. It has eX-
ercised itself specially about the defeat of
Gen. Chalmers, and has been nominating
Alcorn for that purpose with an enthusiasm
and persistence touchingly suggestive of the
lamented Sam. Bowles and the Adamses The
Tribune now proposes to make the fight in the
"doubtfuP' Northern districts, leaving it's
Southern allies to do what they can to put in
an occasional" Congressman, who will be
livery acceptable" Before the campaign is
over we are disposed to believe the Tribune
will find its second thought no better than the
first, and that there are no more doubtful
districts in the North than In the South.
It has been understood all along, however,
that in at least four Of the Louisiana districts
there will be opposition to the Democratic
nominees, either by regular Republican NOM
inees or independent candidates. The calling
of State convention by the Republican ex-
ecutive committee would also indicate that,
for some unaccOuntable reason, the Republ-
cans here have conceived some sort of vague
idea that O. reorganization of their party at
this time may be attended with results. It Is
preposterous to suppose that they have any
hope Of making even show of fight in the
coming State election, yet we would caution
our people against allowing the election to
carry itself without any show of interest on
our part. In at least two of the congressional
districts there is g probability of close and
hard fight, and it will not do for the Demo-
cratic party to lose a single vote in the next
Congress. The people understand this, and
they mean to send a Democrat from every
district Of Louisiana.