The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-02-05
THE CONVENTION.
To the Editor OF the Democrat.

| It is not now In order to discuss the wisde,s
or policy of State convention. II IA aaYai
fact. Il behooves all good citizens TO sppls an
their faculties. energies and experiences totka
proper selection OF the members OF this Dpost
important body which has ever been assemblsd
consideration and preparation OF the propar
chanmes In our 0rgaste law. t
10 Rerf9rm a, tfs sat aates ipropsry REQUIRES
tone, temper and sentiment.
Secondly. an abandonment Of al party, polit.
tleal aud social preiudices. and OF all eorufina
lions, associations aud rings.
=, Thirdly. the abnegation OF all local and sse-
bic he faith OF the y ate and people Ia their
obligations to the Federal constitution and 10
all efasses OF the people. and TO nnaintain and
State governments, and to restrain and snp.
press all awlessness and violations Of political
These e prop propdsiions indicate the general iona
and spirit with which this great work shesia BE-
commenced. Men should be selected from iii
elissea who can Ia their usual conduct charae.
tor and sentiments present guarantees Of their
com prehensign and appreciation OK the spiFN
ami force u heir ideas and duties.
A large intelligence, OK psrlence In the framing
Of constitutions ana laws, and q knowleies
Of our political history, are also reduiremsna
Of members Of this body.
should be selected. II were vain to hope tbats0
large o body could bs filled exclusively with
men Of these rare qualifications. Besides these
doubtless embracing minority OF the body
who are familiar. from their professional puf-
suits, with The scientific function OF laws sud
constitution making, there should bsalsree
minority representative Of the solid men-reD-
resulting the property, the eommeree the In
dustry of the State: men Of approved judgment.
prudence. discretion, and freedom from parti-
san preiudiees and demagoglcal aspirations
Men II this class may not be en- owed with the
qualifications OF ths orator and draughtsmen
OF statutes and constitutions, but they have that
HOIid upOI Hnne1. nFartiPnl 1nlR ms nj. nTuAYi-
ence and deep I'M crest in good and wise govern
ment, upon which, after all. the ehet reliance
must be placed Tor successful result 10 this
And with ali these qualities there ia to bs
added another; which Is perhaps the most
Obtained. And this is courage-moral and Do.
llt'eal courage. the egurage oil conviction. OF
dg 9 aa5ss Fl ?" s Tss n9 ftsss
passions and prejud ces OF the day. . tlmidity
and eyasIveness la assaiIIDR popular decisions
AMI the Interests Of classes and rings are the
prevailing vic. 8 OF our times. IL - By these
that politicians succeed in getting Offices. Gam
didates and aspfrants for lIaces find 1t necss-
sary to disguise their real opinions and iano-
miniously evade the declaration OF their senti.
ments on important subjects from Tear Oh
giving nffense TO large class
The fewer OF them We have In the conven-
ton the better. On the other hand the people
are sadly lacking In the true tpirit OF Bepuoli-.
caDism and Democracy. when they reject the
claims OF men Of acknowledged ability and In
tegrity, because they may not now. or In their
past approve all the ideas, measures and senti~
ments OF such worthy candidates for their
favor. The true sentiment Ia reference 70 snen
differences and grounds OF opposition and
disfavor Is expressed In that noble apo
thegm; In essentials, unity; In non,
essentials moderation; In all things charfty.
But Ia this connection We must pot
highly respectable class Of our people who.
withdrawing In times of great peril 10 theiE
own aud the interests Of the state. refuse te
bear their part In the political contests. ana
leave the machine politicians, the pummsrs
and corrupfionists TO control and direct tine
ADMINISTRATION Of the government, yet too ire
quently and uIjusily asperse the sincerity
aud integrity. and bring into disre pute ana
distrust citizens who have faithfully fulhllsd
all their political duties. taking part In all the
ing this class If faithful citz ms as politicians
because thew take such interest and part In our
political affairs. the OBJECTIONABLE class Of
politicians are thoss who ms ke q trade OF poll
tics. who are veTsed In the low party tricks
TO secure nominations. make combinations
and falsify registrations and returns. These
should be suppressed. union OF the nonest
conservative citizens, in an eff1cient orRanlZas
ton, Gao effect this mportant publication. But
II will be found difficult 20 make such orRanlza.
that class who are familiar with political
strategy, and the jnstifable and necessary
modes Of conducting political contests. Of In
fuencing and arousipE the people ana acniev-
ing election results, without this knowledge,
frequently the earnest. honest, well mentioned
citizens are defeated by the superior TACTICS and
discipline of the most OtJecti 'nabis and corrupt
parties. And thus 10 Is the trading tricsster
and spois-seeker ia aided by the inexperienced
and uDskilled Managers OF an undiscfpl!ned
go profound and indiscriminate disgust for all
Doliticinus CITIZEN.