The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1880-01-15
JOHN McENERY's TITLE.

While Ii In impossible not to be amused at
that phase OF the senatorial contest which Ia
to be found In the outside newspapers, we do
not wish to he understood as taking . purely
frivolous view of the matter, or as seeking to
effect BY means Of ridcule that which we fear
TO approach In q spirit of deliberate and CALM
inquiry. Those who have kept close watch,
over the progress Of the contest will aympa-
thise with our mingled amusement and an
noyance at the effort to Influence the action
OF the Louisiana Legislature through the
medium OF Washington society gossip and
the solemn asseverations Of unknown corre-
spondents that this OF that great man will be
unspeakably gratihad at the election OF Gen.
Gibson. We feel sure that q large majority Of
our leading men did not need TO have their
attention directed to the feeble aud absurd
little expedlent Of WORKING up Louisiana
sentiment through such agencies as the
Washington lunch-brigade. The ciroum-
stance has been daily noted and appraised.
and we believe the DEMOCRAT faithfully re-
Elected public sentiment in smiling at the tm-
hecillty rather than resentinR the imperti-
hence.
Far be 1t from us, however, to assume that
the question is 10 be considered ser ous-
~ In this light. Though We may pause q mo-
ment TO laugh at what might be offensive II
II were not go ridiculous, we fully understand
that the matter Of the Senatorshlp rests
upon grave aud potent considerations IN
which these Idle pleasantties have no SORT OF
part. More on this than oR any previous oc-
cason within our memory does II beheoye us
TO proceed carefully and dtspassIonately. W.
are not choosing Senator To 1T
the conditions and answer the require
ments of to-day. The man who shall
be elected next week ts to take his
seat three years hence We project ourselves
into the unfathomable future. We bridge a
space during which the most tremendous
events may transpire. We confide to some
one the guardianship OF our rights and the
advocacy of our interests without knowing
what shape those rights and interests may
have taken when the time comes for him to
assume hls duties, and la doing this we have
no safe guide except our convictions as to the
absolute fidelity. under all circumstances
and through every change Of the man upon
say at this time and ut this stage Of affairs
tuHG ally fhhu HbHSfNs6H lIlt pNtl1IhT ALbEi-
butes. the special qualifications that we are
TO require In 1888 II is sheer folly ta declare
that any man fits the emergency which will
exist when the Senator to be elected now
shall come to take his seat
During the interval which must ensue
every factor In the present situation may
change; every purpose we now cherish may
hp al nrIaIs fastpr In ha fnp
surrounding us may be replaced. The
developments Of time, the logic Of our pro
grese, the fruits of our expanding and ad
vancing civilization, may bring us In three
years TO q new and different policy, requiring
different treatment and needing tn be pro-
NOTED by different methods. Men who are
useful now tight bs useless II not detrimental
then. Objects which We desire now might be
II not distasteful then. We are
cropping In tho dark. There is not one mate
rial ambition or necessity Ia our philosophy
to-day which we can say will be there Ia 1883
not q single quality OF mind or temper or
consider valuable as applied to the problem
OF three years hence. Only one certainty
have we TO guide ~, only one course can " Q
safety pursue. LOOKING, aS W5 are, Tor some |
one whom we may safely trust with our for
tunes In the impenetrable future, to whom |
We may contide a charge, the ma ure Of which |
we do not know aud caunot conjecture, there |
& but one thing for us to do. Wa must choose
q man as to whose quick sympathy with pop |
llar feeling and public needs there can be |
40 doubt; upon whom we can absolute
y depend for loyalty and devotion
under all circumstances and at all cost;
who will he brave and steadfast and incar-
-uptibla In the service Of his people no mat
er what the emergency may be, and who
IAN be trusted to enter upon the discharge of
lls duties, three or ten years hence without
m ambition or an association or thought
which will not contemplate, exclusively and
absolutely, the convictions and the purposes
u the people he represents.
And this is why we uphold John McEnery
g the man upon whom, before all others, the
hoice OF the Legislature should fall He has
'een tried In the tiarcest light that ever beat
lpon public man, and he has earned his title
0 the implicit confidence Of Louisiana.