The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-09-28
"a VOICE FROM THE CAPITAL.

| To the Editor Of the Democrat:
AS it has not been my lot this year to be
present to take part In the primary canvass
for delegates for our State nominating con.
vention, and as some OF my friends have been
kind enough to seek my support for Gen. Og.
den, beg you will permit me the use Of your
columns to say few words as to this guber-
Material nomination Gen. Fred Ogden has
been 90 long my friend and associate, first as
privates In the Crescent Rifles In 1861, then on
Gen. Polk's staff, and after the war as vice
president under him OF the Crescent City
Democratic Club in 1868 9, that it would give
me great pain to think of opposing his nom-
ination, If thought I should thereby forfeit
his friendship, SD long and warmly cherished
Fortunately for my private feelings, how
| ever know that nobe-hearted soldier and
sterling gentleman too we'll not to know his
heart Is broad and honest enough to hold to
| his friends, even ii they differ as to public
means and measures. Gen. Ogden as mill
tary leader has genius already tried, and
| dashing qualities that have left their own
heroic record. His State has enshrjned mis-
naue In encomiums that have been won and
recorded OF almost no other man since the
| first Revolution. Who of those oven who bore
the brunt OF battle for four long, weary years.
and laDgulshed in half-furnished hospitals or
cruel prisons till life itself WAS a burden and
II GuESb, Will IhIllSfllug 1hI1lfiSS aU nome ana
o future Of political and professional ostra-
cism staring them in the face-who, ] say,
| among the foremost OF them have received
the grand Ovations, the magnificent and
princely testimonials Of the confidence and
affection Of the people OF Louisiana that have
been poured upon the gallant chieftain and
| modest gentleman OF whom [ speak Fred
Ogden, doubtless, feels grateful for this, per-
haps satisfied. At all events, | know him too
well not to know that he is the last man who
would wish to use this public return for his
past services as political claim On the future
was proud OF his first letter to the poiit-
cal leaders who wished TO bring his name out
as political capital. [ regret to find that he
has allowed his first purpose and conclusion
to be changed.
The next administration of our State
government has much Of great political
Importance to accom- mplish. "A cool and
experienced head as executive was never
OF more vital Importance to our State. AS q
Democrat, consider that the last three yeai g
have done as much to divide and dismember
the party in our State, as 1t was within the
power of one administration, admittedly hon
est Of intention, to do. While the Democratic
party is held responsible for the administra-
ton Of public affairs In our State, / believe
1t should be kept together and not d15inte-
grated.
The history OF politics shows that when
men are reluctantly dragged from private
stations to fill high political positions In times
OF party struggles they have almost in
tation or the public needs. am constrained
to believe that the present instance Is not an
exception, and Ii these gentlemen who have
overpersuaded Gen. Ogden had acted less
In their own interest and from their own en-
thusIasm, and more with regard to the fame
and personal interests OF Gen. Ogden, they |
would have permitted this cup OF political
bitterness TO pass by, and not thrust it to his |
unwilling lips.
SO far as my convictions 90 as to the vel |
fare 81 the State and party in the next four
years, am persuaded that the long expert |
ence and tried integrity q Il. A. Wiltz i'm
peratively require his election. SO far as / |
am concerned personally, believe / shall be
at heart. rather than animated by any "ring
interest" | never knew Mr.. WiltZ till long
after the war, and opposed him in favor OF
Gov. McEnery in 1876; but [ never heard his
personal or political integrity. If 1nan Is
to be politically tabooed because the MEM
bers Of the New Orleans fire department ad-
mire, respect and love him; ii he Is to be
money rings" because the laboring people,
alias short hairs, honor and support him as
the man in whose hands their Interests can
safely be trusted; II he be incapacitated be-
cause the universal verdict OF the thinking
and acting men OF both parties in State poll
tics, who have been members OF the State
Senate and Constitutional Convention, pro-
nounce him impartial, clear-headed efficient
and statesmaDike as presiding officer, and
wise as an administrative officer; il man,
TO be Governor in times when the party Is
striving to overthrow military methods"
should be man Of purely military ante
,edents and instincts; then In each and all Of
.hese cases Mr.. Wiltz is not the man tor our
next Governor.
For myself. shall support him with what
title influence may have, and hope my
riends will do the same, knowing that both
dr. Wiltz and Gen. Ogden are too good DEM
,crats not to unite with us ali In an enthusi-
lstic support of the Democratic NOMINEE, who
ver he may be. Most truly yours
JAMES IINGAN.