The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-02-19
DO YOUR DUTY,

DO YUUk DUTY.
The following bit Of contentious wisdom
from the Boston Advertiser appears to us tt
find an application at this time In New Or
leans.
our institutions OF liberty does not arise from
| the fact that the suffrage Ia extended to al
classes almost without discrimination, but
to neglect their duty. This is not peril pecu.
| liar to republics. but common to all forms OF
government. 1t Is peculiarly inexcusable and
| no other form OF government is this class SO
| we'll able to control oil the movements OF the
governing powers and mold them to its will. II
| bad mon rule It Is because better men are oul-
psbly negligent or cowardly. If those who pro-
Tess to love Righteousness ard truth are unwill-
ing to Join battle with their foes and strive for
triumph In a fair field they may lose every
thing. This. however, is to be said that the
same men would undoubtedly be Just as indif-
ferent and Just as c0wardly Ii the suffrage were
restricted, or II there were no popular suffrage.
as they are now. The trouble s in themselves,
not In the condition of The conflict.
Every word of this is true, and eminently
so of New Orleans. We are prepared to con-
cede the justice of a great deal of the COM
plants that have been urged against the
party management In this city.
Yet there is no avoiding the fact that the
responsibility for such things rests mainly
upon the very class of our citizens who are
loudest and most persistent In their COM
plants, and that it Is due more to their
criminal indifference to public affairs and
neglect Of their duties as citizens of a
free and enlightened State than to any
other circumstance. IL all classes of our
people could be induced to manifest an equal
interest and vigilance In political matters, the
upright and intelligent would invariably ex-
ercise the same controlling influence In pol
itics that they have attained in the other ordi-
nary relations Of life. II unworthy and In
competent men have been able to thrust
themselves forward and obtain an influence
disproportioned to their merits. 1t Is only be-
cause better men have allowed them to
do so by the gross neglect Of their public
duties. Let the more intelligent classes
OF our people, and these have the greater
practical interest In good and economical
government, actively and earnestly par
ticipate In the primaries, and there will no
longer be any cause for complaint OF
lack Of influence on their part in the party
councils or In the election of proper men as
candidates for office. There is but one way,
or exercise this influence, and that Is about
the only method that has not been resorted
to. No man. however conspicuous his abili-
ties or extensive his property and business
interests, is entitled to any consideration or
influence In politics except in his capacity as
a citizen. Class movements and organiza-
tions, for the purpose Of influencing political
action. never result in permanent or uniyer-
sal benefit. The good they accomplish Is
always partial and limited to the interests of
the class itself.
Such combinations to control public opin-
ion, whether they originate with merchants
on the Exchange or with the idle and dscon-
tented rabble of the sand lots, generally fail
Of their object, and In most instances they
deserve failure. If resorted to on the part OF
merchants they but serve to induce similar
action on the part of other classes, or else to
provoke against the merchants themselves
the combined hostility Of all other clements OF
society, thus creating antagonisms for which
there Is no just cause, and out of which
no good can come. It Is not possible for our
classes to have interests, In which
Ill Of our people, whatever their avocations
existed among the masses of the people any
hostility to the peculiar interests of these
classes, then there might be some excuse for
organized political action on their part for
heir own protection. But no such feeling
Exists, and. consequently. such action is only
o be deprecated.
We are gratified to see that there is O fair
prospect now of united action on the part of |
III our people. The conference which met on
1onday night at the st. Charles Hotel was
omposed of gentlemen representing all the
,reat material interests of our city, as well
8 all shades of Democratic and Conservative
ussion OF all points of difference, these gen.
lemen determined to remit the entire matter
selecting candidates for the convention to
he party, and to adopt and participate In the
arty methods of nominating and electing
hem. This Is all that could be desired, and
the gentlemen composing the committee
citizens" who participated In this confer
nee, and those whom they represent, will
AXE that active interest In the primaries, to
which they stand pledged, they will have no
ause to complain Of the results. But this they
hey have In view They must go to work In
heir wards and endeavor to enlist the active
nd earnest cooperation Of all good citizens.
hey must attend all ward meetings and
ctively participate in the organization
I clubs and the conduct of the primary
lections. Mr. Jonas spoke the truth when
Q said at the st. Charles Hotel conference
hat II the best elements of the people would
AXE the trouble to do their duty they would
lways prevail: but people have no right to
hirk their duty and then complain that
hose who have not done SO get control of
he party organizations. Let those who are
dissatisfied take an active interest in public
fairs and go to work, as others
ave done, to secure the election of
BILE and good men to the nominating
onventions, and there will be no reason for
omplaint in the end. These are the words OF