The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1880-06-02
orr CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION

horizons under the leadership VI ga"
didates for the Presidency OF the
United States, our local political H.
terests claim no less Importance anu
deserve to be thoroughly and serl
ously considered. In our State eiec-
tions errors have been commlV'eo
which cannot now be rectihed. In
some instances men have been put
into public positions by Democratic
voters who, in emergencies, proved
unworthy of the confidence OF
trusting constituency and incompe-
tent to perform intelligently the diff
icult duties attaching to their office.
The blunders and shortcomings OF
our State Legislators and State OIL
Gals are comparatively short-l lived,
however, and are remediable. They
do not materially impair the strength
of the Democratic party in the State
nor disparage its high prestige in
the estimation of the country at
large. But the same cannot be SAID
when defects of mind or morals char
acterize the representatives OF the
State in the National Congress-
There, they are tacitly supposed to
represent, in a peculiar way, more or
less, the political party to which they
belong. Their sayings and doings
are more or less identified with and
considered the offspring OF party
principles. Lack of mental ability
and of moral and political integrity,
therefore, in our representatives in
Congress, will not only damage their
constituents, but will bring into dis
repute and weaken the great polltiea
party upon whose strength the very
f life of our liberties depend. Th'
, Democratic party in this State shoulf
5 not be 80 imprudent as to place be
q fore the people candidate for an.
office, and particularly for Congress
j who is not, in every sense, suitable
The party, and particularly tn
South, may need the balance of pc"
er they now hold in the United State
Congress as a means of protectlo
against the abuses of hostile ad
u ministration, should we fail to cleo
u a Democratic President in Novem
. Der. Our Congressional elections
therefore, rank of more consequence
g to the people and the party than tn
election of State administrations
IL The Republican party in Congress
n. have, for years, almost invariabI
h been represented by the ablest deb'
I tiers and parliamentarians their rank
could furnish, as well as by the mo-
relentless prosecutors of the Sout
le They send to Congress their gian
- in talent, their skillful and expel
~ enced tacticians, and their leader
ne who are men of admitted Nation
Ill fame, have many times, in polite
IS manuevering, been more than
match for the finest inteilects TIL
have represented the Democrat
- party.
Louisiana has not been of Ia
ne
Il years particularly distinguished
80 the ability and influence of her
- representatives. in Congress. Ih
- have been faithful and industrio,
it is true, but the party has not,
all instances, selected the most su
est able representatives.
nto The positions to be filed in I
IN vember next should claim candida
ors of the highest ability, experie'
ur- and accomplishment. We sho
the have representatives who can ref
pa honor upon our State; who, whe
the party struggle is pending among
political gladiators in the halls
the National Congress, can rise
OF their strength and attract the att
.ad- ton and admiration of the wi
get country; whose power and influe
un- will be recognized by the ables
'ote our enemies.
'."' In this Congressional Dist
'o' there is material from which to
'"' lect Congressman who can prom
- Va ly take rank as the equal of the alb
N"'' statesmen that have ever sat in
august assembly. We have am
US, too, young men whose promi
' merits are fast attracting public
"' tention; whose ability, aided
we few years of practical experienc
Nv" the science of craftsmanship,
'A"' bring them to the front as cl
NC pions of our cherished party,
y "s win for them and the State rel
ans tioa and honor. Among this
'nl' of rising young lawyers and p
anus clans should be numbered our
Laan- -