The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-09-20
UNITY Or THE DEMOCRACY.


he contest for the gubernatorial nomination
% bitterness Of feeling will be engendered Or
reckless and personal attacks made. The
political situation ID novel one. Some or the
most corrupt and Infamous partisans Of KEEL
logg and officials OF his usurpation have
crept out OF the dust and mire OF Radicalism,
md with the stencil OF the gutter still on
their skirts have come forward with native
impudence to lead In the canvass. Gentlemen
also have come TO the front, who have no real
sympathy with the genuine Democracy, and |
will endeayor to shape the action Of the conven-
ton and control Its nominations. Hence there
are elements at work In the party, just now,
which have no real or earnest desire to pre- |
serve the unity Of the Democratic party, and, |
II they cannot carry their points within 1t, are
very willing that such epirit and temper
may be engendered Ia this prelimary struggle |
as will lead. In the end, to Q result similar to
that which flowed from the Syracuse conven-
ton In New York. Finally, q vigorous can
vass for candidacy, even among sincere and
earnest men OF the same party, ID likely to
arouse personal antagonisms difficult, too
often, TO reconcile.
Democrats, therefore, should be on the
lookout, and exert oil the influences OF mod
GRAFTON, courtesy and patriotism TO allay any
asperities that hot-headed, stubborn or de-
signing partisans or allies may attem pt to Gre
ate In our ranks. Any cause, however intimate
~ identified with the interests OF the State,
must suffer by the loss Of influence which It's
leaders suffer when their characters are held
forth In odious or contemplate colors; and
the fruits OF his unwise or dishonest indus
try ripen into banquet delightful only to
the enemies of his party and bis State
II the triumph Of the constitution over cen
tralism In 1880 has been imperiled, 1t Is be-
cause the success Of the Democratic party in
New York has been ieoparded and II thesuc-
cess OF the Democracy in New York has been
made doubtful, 1t Is because Its unity has
been impaired by bitter and irreconcilable
quarrels and controversies between It's chiefs.
In this State we cannot thus afford to subordi-
nate the interests OF the party to individual
aspirations. and 1t ID to be hoped that the
people will only listen to and follow those
men among them, who have patriotism
enough to prefer the general good and the
harmony Of the Democratic party to the gra-
LITIGATION OF personal anfmosities. The selfish
factionlsts; the self-righteous political Pha-
rasees who set themselves up as the judges OF
their fellow Democrat, and hold that
no man liz sanctlfied In the faith
save themselves and those who are Of
their own narrow, bitter and vindictive clique,
may begin warfare Of vituperation and
seek to drive into exile every man. however
consistent his Democracy or however large
his services to the State may have been, who
has not accepted them as the lords Of the
party. But we trust that such may not be the
case, though we cannot close our eyes to the
fact that the canvass promises to be exciting,
and IL from excitement 1t shall drift into
personalities and abuse, the responsibility
shall rest upon the shoulders Of those who be-
gin the unholy work, and they must take the
consequences OF forcing canvass Disgrace
full to the Democratic party and perilous to
the welfare OF the State.
| We assume, and trust. for the honor Of the
State, that we are right, that no man who has
reached so high point In the estimation OF
the people OF Louisiana, as to become con
| spicuoug candidate for the nomination OF the
Democratic party for high Office, is SO I'M
deserving OF his station as to invite or deserve
has Of late become common to direct at
public men; and. 50 far as the DEMOCRAT is
concerned, 1t will exert It's influence to pre-
vent the canvass between Democratic as
pirants for nominations from drifting or
being precipitated into one Of blackRuardism
and SANDER
II all parties shall emulate our moderation,
the happiest results will flow from 1t. Who
ever may be nominated will retain the full
and cordial respect OF the people everywhere;
he will have no bitter feuds or wrongs to
forget, and he will be In the true sense Of the
word the candidate of the Democratic and
Conservative people Of the State. And, fur
Their, this line Of moderation will hold In close
and cordial union the various elements Of our
people who have, through SO many years,
stood shoulder to shoulder In opposition to
Radicalism and all OF whose interests prompt
them to stand united, at least, until the DEM
oeratio party shall have won the national con-
test Of 1880.
| In this State the Democratic-C Conservative
party-the opposition to Radicalism- is com
posed OF many elements, and the different
| lines OF attack and defense we have found 1t
necessary to adopt have, In the past, created
grave differences Of opinion as to the true
policy to pursue, and the angry discussions
growing out OF these differences have left, no
doubt, many heart-burniDgs. But these are OF
the past. The controversies, the differences OF
1872, 1874. 1876 and 1878 are, happily, dead and
buried. Let them rest in peace. Their ghosts
should not be coniured up to point their spec
| trail fingers at this or that man. We belong
| to the living present. It is our duty to meet,
discuss and determine the vital questions
OF to-day, and to look to the future
rather than to the past. No material
interest Of this great city, or Of
this impoverished State, can be built up, or
benefited, or advanced by wrangling over dead
issues No blow can be struck for the Demo-
cratic party or for the constitution while we
fan the fires OF party discussions by rehears-
Ing like besotted fools the controversies OF an
u Ixi. l. IT. T. I~IAg