American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-04-24

oLHer duVeHCurefbs anu turning Out Leg
islatures with the bayonet, was an mex
cusable blunder. His opponents make
the charge and his partisans are forced
to admit it-and what makes the matter
more discouraging is that, as the Irib-
u,se says, if Grant were President again,
"there is no guarantee that his mistakes
would not be repeated. st. Louis Re-
publican.
An Unpledged Delegation the Demo.
cratic Watchw0rd.
There appears to be quite a movement
| in New Orleans in support of General
Hancock for the Democratic nominal
ton. This of itself is merely the exer-
else of the right of every Democrat to
ass ert his own preferences regarding
candidates, and SO far as he properly
may to seek to bring others to like
mind respecting his favprite. 1t is con-
jectured, however, that some of Gencr-
al Hancock friends in Louisiana may
be disposed, against the past usage and
obvious present policy of the Democrat
ic party, to seek the instruction of the
delegation from that State to vote in
the National Convention for some par
ticular candidate. General Hancock is
gallant soldier, and well earned the
gratitude of the people of Louisiana by
performing his duty when he was placed
in command over them. 1t 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 indie
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 strid-
ing, and the radical alteration of our
form of Government, which is rendered
certain, unless there be q change in the
political forces which control our desti-
ny. We need not step out of our way
to find vital issues upon which to stake
the battle of 1880, issues which involve
the existence of constitutional Govern
ment. without regard to the question
whether the strong man of to-day or
some other day in the near future be
the immediate instrument Of its virtual
destruction.
ALI Democrats agree upon the neces-
party councils should tend. It may be
fatal to all our prospects, If we permit
personal preferences to override the
the general Judgment, and now allow
the action of the National Convention
to be forestalled by any unreasonable
or unreasoning persistence on the part
of any State in urging its favorite, or
tying the hands Of its delegates. The
Democratic party is now, as it has been
in the past, rich in eminent men, who
are entitled to. and who enjoy the con-
fidence of the country. and any one of
whom the party will delight to honor.
It will be for the Convention to con-
slider fairly and freely the claims of all
these. Who of them is the strongest
and most available candidate, is ques-
ton addressed entirely to that body,
and upon its members will devolve
peculiar responsibility. In the coming
campaign we shall have to resist and
show the fallacy of the ''strong man.
cry-now for the first time in our his
tory, adopted as party watch-word.
Under whose leadership can this best
be donep What candidate, in such
conflict, best represents the thought
and wishes of the party, and can win
the support of those, who, while not
enrolled in the ranks, may be led to
support its nomineep Will the interest
of the party be best promoted by the
selection of a candidate from civil, or
from military life, in q contest prom
ising to turn upon the question whether
the people win take for their next Pres
ident, man stronger than the laws, or
a man obedient to them? These and
like questions will require the exercise
of the best Judgment of the delegates
from the several States after they have
h. 4 e..
careful consideration.
1t is not to the advocacy of the NOM
nation of Hancock or of any true
Democrat that we take exception. 1t
is only by such advocacy that the real
merits of leading candidates are brought
under discussion. But we protest against
the un-democratic system of sending
instructed delegates to convention,
the true theory of which is, that it is a
meeting of Democrats from all States
and sections, to deliberate as to the
men best fitted to achieve success, and
most truly represent the party creed.
We have had too much of putting on
the cast-of garments of the Repub-
ican party, to adopt now the Cameron
Conkling device of sending delegates,
charged with the mea9er duty of cast
ing pre-pledged votes. The custom of
Louisiana and of her sister Southern
States has been much nearer the true
conception of nominating convention
to send a delegation Of tried and
trusted men to represent the State,
who, in conference with tho other dele
gates, select those candidates whose
nomination seems most judicious.
We trust the Democrats of Louis
lana and of all the States will
adhere to this custom. 1t is the
manifest duty and policy of our party,
at the present time, not to commit it.
self for or against any individual, but to
leave the selection to the deliberate
judgment of the delegates when assem-
bled in a free convention. Such con-
vention will be in marked and advan-
tageous contrast with the Republican
Convention, to which, from present APP
pearances, the delegates will go in
chain-gangs, duly labeled with the
name of the owner and contractor who's
has undertaken to deliver them. Sp OF
delegations must produce a Conve'ne ST
whose action will create discord-tion. 81
party, or result in a weak nc be I'M d.
Let the Democratic watchy' consulta- h
pledged delegations, frie'of the best
tions, and united sups who can De
and strongest candaedged represen-
selected, by able, in Convention as :,
tatives of the pa this result in the Sc
sembled. Sbfal Hancock, none will :,
lection of Cordially or with greater q
labor m6is success than the Post i
zeal fp6st.
Bosb - +
The New York Times humorist
,nresents the President as saying, I