Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1880-04-15
NO. ss


There appears 60 be quite q move
ment in New Orleans in support Of Gem
eral Hancock for the Democratic nomi-
nation. This 81 itself IS merely the ex-
ercise of the right Of every Democrat -
assert bis sosFn pFsIerencea esgarding
candidates. and. 80 laF as he properly
may. q. seek. 40 bring others 60 like
mind respecting bis favorite. Il Is con-
iectured. h0wever, that some Of Gen!
Hsnaock's frientls 70 Louisiana may be-
disposed. against tbs, past usage and OBJ
vions present policy Of The DemccTallc J,
party, 20 seek the Instruction. Of the del
erats6a ffota tflak SsAa4 e vsfp n the.
national convention for some particular
candidate. Gen. Hancock - gallanta
soldier, and well earned The gratitude .
Of the people of Louisiana By perform
ing his duty when be was placed IN
command over them. K was time
of much abuse Of power, when not only
military, but civil rulers forgot that one
grievance set forth in the Declaration
Of Independence was that George III.
affected to render the military inde-
pendent Of and superior to the civil
power" The recent decisions of the,
Supreme Court OF the United States
have plainly marked the path of cen-,
tralization, along which we are stridihg,
and the radical alteration Of our form Of
government, hICh is rendered ceFiain,
unless there Is . change in the political
/ forces which control our destiny. We
need not step out of our way to find vi
tai issues upon which 10 stake the bait
tie of 1880, issues which iRvoive the ex-
lstence Of constitutional government,
without regard to the question whether
the strong man OF to-day or some other
day in the near future be the immedi-
ate instrument Of ats virtual deetruc-
| ton.
All Democrats agree upon the neces-
s:ty for success. To that end, all our
party councils should tend. u may be
fatal TO all our prospects, f We permit
personal preferences to override the
general judgment, and allow the action
Of the National Convention 10 be fore
stalled by any unreasonable or unreason-
ing persistence on the part OF any State
in urging its favorite or tying the hands
Of its delegates.
! The Democratic party is now, as !.
has been in the past, rich in eminent
men, who are entitled 10, and who en-
Joy the confidence Of the country, and
any one Of whom the party will delight
to honor. II will be for the Conven-
ton to consider fairly and freely the
claims cf al these. Who ofthem Is the
strongest and most available candidate,
is question addressed entirely to that
BODY, and upon its members will de-
volve a peculiar responsibility. In the
coming campaign We shall have 10 re-
sist and show the fallacy Of the "strong
man" cry-now for the FIRST time IN our
history adopted as party watchword.
Under whose leadership can this best
be done What candidate, in such q
conflict, best represents the thought and
wishes Of the party, aud can win the
support Of those, who, while not enroll
ed in its ranks. may be led 10 support
lts nominees! Will the interests Of the
party be best promoted by the selection
Of acandidate from civil, or from mill
tarv life, in contest promising 20 tuFn
upon she question whether the people
will take for their next President man
stronger than the laws, or a man obe-
dent 10 theml These and like ques-
tions will require the exercIse Of the
best judgment Of the delegates from The
several States after they have had an op-
portuniiy for conference and careful
consideration.
II Is not to the advocacy Of the uom.-
instion Of Hancock or OF any true Dem
. ocrat, that We take the exception. II
is only By such advocacy that the real
merits OF The leading candidates are
brought under discussion. But We pro-
; test against the undemocratic system Of
, sending instructed delegates 10 con-
venlion, the trne theory Of which II,
! that IL is meeting Of Democrats from
| all States aud sections, 10 deliberate as
10 the men best fitted TO achieye'suc-
cess, and most truly represent the par
: ty creed. We have had too much Of
! putting on the cast-of garments OF the
: Republican, party, TO adopt now the
} Cameron-C ConkIing device Of sending
delegates, charged with the mesgJe duty
Of casting prepledged votes. The Gus
tom Of Louisiana and her sister South
, ern States has been much nearer th"
; true conception of nominating con-
1 vention-to send delegation Of tried
and trusted men TO represent the State,
/ who, in conference with the other del
egaies, select those candidates whose
nomination seems the most judicious.
> We trust the Democrats Of Louisiana
: and Of ali the States will adhere 10 this
: custom.
II is the manifest duty and policy ol
our party. az the present time, not &c
commit itself for or against any indTvId-
E uaI, kut 10 leave the selection 10 the de-
: liberate judgment Of the delegates when
: assembled in free convention. Such
a convention wiIl be in marked end ad.
vantageous contTast with the kepubll-
can Convention, to which, from present
appearances, the delegates will 60 ir
|. chaIn-gsngs, duly labelled with The
name OF the owner and contractor whC
has undertaken 10 deliver them. Suct
delegations must produce convention
9 whose action will create GiscoTd 10 th'
y party, or result in . weak nomination
= Let the Democratic watchword be un
pledged delegations, friendly consaita
tions. and united support OF the best anC
is strongest candidates who ean be selec
le fed. BY able, unpledged Representatives
of the party n convention isHoled