The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-09-21
UNMANLY AND AN rI-DEMOORATIO.

UNMANLY AND AN rI-DEMOORATIO.
The right and the duty of those who be-
Ieve that Cen r. N. Ogden would be the
most available nominee Of the Democratic
party for the office of Governor under the
new constitution, to champion and advocate
their candidate with zeal and enthusiasm will
not be questioned by any good Democrat
When Cen Ogden shall be assaied rs the rep
resentative Of q class, the tool Of ring, or as
lacking any OF the moral and intellectual quail
hcations for the chief magistracy of this
State, 1t will be our duty and that Of every
true and honest Democrat, promptly and
vigorously to repel all such imputatlons and
charges. Equally isit the duty ofall good
Democrats to repel such charges when APP
piled to Gov. Witt. II they are false and
groundless, gentlemen and honest men will
not entertain or repeat them. Nothing cab
be more anti-democratic and humanity than
these constant asseverations and reiterations
of charges Of "ringism," selfish combinations
and irregular methods, and class desgna-
tions of the frendsand supporters Of partic-
ular candidate. This practice has been carried
to an extent by the opponents OF Mr.. Witt
of Democracy, and must result to the injury
of an opposing candidate In whose Interest
they may be employed
It Is even sought to excite hostility to Mr.
Witt because he is more largely supported
by the poorer class of our people the Indus
trial class, the class which is mora largely
drawn on for the public defense In case of war
or great public danger, who are the most vigil
liant and active in the discharge OF all their
duties as good citizens and working Demo-
Gratis; the class who expose their lives to save
the lives and property OF citizens from CON
Migration, who confront the presidential Wis
itations that visit our city, and who rally first
and largest to all public assenblages and to
the polls to maintain the cause of Democracy
and liberty. This great majority OF our peo-
pie are opprobriously designated Short
hairs" and t'bummers" by gentlemen who
may have easier and moro luxurious posi-
lions in society. It's cast as q reproach upon
a gentleman who has been educated as mer-
chant, who enjoys a large degree Of tho conf
dence OF the best portion of that class Of our
citizens; that he has also the largest support
among the poorer classes of the citizens upon
whom, after all, must fall the chief brunt of
all the contests for the Democracy and for
freedom and from whose labor Is derived the
chief support of the State.
SO highly esteemed and worthy a gentle
man as Gen. Ogden cannot but regard such a
mode of assault and depreciation of Il rival
candidate With infinite dissatisfaction and dis
approval. Nothing could be more repugnant
to the spirit of true Democracy. IF such
~
aristoeracy were ever tolerated anywhere
they could never be more inappropriate and In
defensible than In this community In Its pres
ent condition, where poverty prevails 50 large
ly and with SO little demerit and blame and
where prosperous circumstances and fortu-
nate conditions are so largely due to accident
and chance.
Democracy throughout the world has al
| ways placed It's chief dependence on the poorer
| class. Its great aim and purpose are to eIe-
vate the condition and secure their EQUALITY,
not by dragging down the more fortunate and
prosperous, but by celebrating artificial in
CAPABILITIES and restrictions, privileges and as
sumptions Of the favored few This is the
great mssion-the whole aim OF Democracy
| To designate and classify as bummers,
5Hoi Giii5 Cllel 6uppOTt Oh Inc De-
| mOcracy is an emanation OF the same silly
pride and pretension Of the Scribes and Phar-
| lsees, who reviied our Saviour for preferring
| the humble following Of fishermen, OF even
publicans and sinners to their pretentious
| support and countenance.
! SO much for this ground of assault and dis
paragement Of Mr.. Witt. 1t is one which
embodies q high tribute to his merits as a
Democrat. II it could be shown that he was
chargeabe with any of the low arts Of the
demagogue, that he had stopped from the
manly dignity OF conservative gentleman;
that he has ever sought, by false pretensea,
to misiead and delude any class of the people
through special professions and promises of
devotion to their interest as g. class, or has
ever pandered to any OF these practices II
either In his present position or In his past
course 1t Can be shown that he has ever proved
himself the tool Of a ring or combination
then are he and his supporters fair and
proper subjects for the severest censure, de-
nunciation and opposition OF all good Demo
Gratis.
But until such charges can be responsibly