The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-07-21


dIum OF regular organization. but In rural
communities no such argument can apply.
The common object is to secure capable men OF
Integrity and intelligence In the parish offices,
and. where the voters are neighbors this tan
be accomplished without any resort to party
Without such rea o aps the
people are much more likely to be honestly
and ably served. II fs self-eyident truth that
pure aud wholesome atmosphere be found In
public places everywhere, II our local nomina-
tions and elections were conducted without
any reference to the cllaues and party authori-
tes-in many If not all instances self-cUnsti-
tuted.
We could not ourselves present stronger
reasons for preserving the unity and discl
pline Of the Democratic party than those which
the Times urges In favor Of the reverse Of the
proposition Honest and capable men, in
office "a pure and wholesome atmosphere
in public offices these are things which can
be assured only by the combined efforts OF that
element Of society which constitutes, or at
least controls, the Democratic party-the re-
sponsible intelligent and taKpaying people OF
the State. without such combination and
that concert OF action, which can be secured
only by party fealty and discipline, and d.
vided among themselves into eiques and per-
Hsonal followings. this element would be pow
erless to ltself-powerless to place good and
honest men In Office.
The quick and sure result OF such disin-
tegration would be the reorganization Of the
Radical party In every parish, which would
make nominations and elect their men. 1t Is
n well known and very natural fact that
negroes are more gregarious In politics, more
subseryient to party discipline than white
men. When men think for themselves they
are Invariably disposed to act for themselves.
When they are lacking In indIvidualism--
whether Of thought and intelligence or moral
conviction they are apt to herd like sheep
and follow their leader. There Is very large
element OF the colored race, who by reason OF
their intelligence and property interests have
become identified within the last few years
with the Democratic party; but even the party
lines relaxed-these men, like the whites,
would be divided and would follow their
favorites. Against these factions would be
found massed that stolid and vicious class,
led by adverturers and unworthy men. who
would reap all the fruits OF this anamolous
and chaotic condition. Of affairs.
This is precisely what would come Of the
encouragement Of these independent candt-
dates for local Office. There would be an in
different running for each office, each with
his limited personal strength. The better
class Of the people would be thoroughly
divided, and when the Republicans failed to
take advantage Of this circumstance and
make regular nominations, that man would
be elected who would make them the most
extravaganza promises or pay the most in the
way of money or patronage. It Is needless
to add that these men would be inevitably
the least deserving, and certainly not the
men who would have secured t&ae party nomi-
nation! and the office. In any event there
would be combinations, wire pul.ing, chicane-
ry bargaining bad that Is at
tributed to the workings of the party
machine, and these OF the very worst char
acter, because they would be between indi-
vduals In the pursuit Of thoroughly selfish
aims, their own personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT,
and corrupt leaders of the old Radical party.
II such things must be, which we utterly
deny. they had better be between the good
men OF the community and within the Demo-
cratic party. Honest and competent men
are much more apt to be nominated by the
party than elected by any combination with
the outside riff-raff of Radical politicians.
But. perhaps. the strongest argument
against the encouragement OF these indie
pendent candidates. is the fact that the Times
approves them. It is pretty generally ac-
cepted fact that the policy of that paper Is,
and has been for some time. to disintegrate
the Democratic party as much as possible.
with view to new deal and relaxation of
party lines in the interests Of the Republican
party, of which several of the Consolation
are shining ornaments. This fact alone will
tend to convince all Democrats that 1t Is quite