The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1880-06-16
THE CONGRESSIONAL N0MINA-
TI0N.

the Shreveport standard relative 10
the nomination of Judge I. Z. Man
ming for Congress from this District
to express our concurrence In tue
sentiments contained in that article,
as to the eminent fitness OF that gen
tleman for the position. In the same
issue of our paper we published q
card from Judge Manning, in which,
on account Of his professional en-
gagements, be declines positively to
have his name used in connection
with the nomination. We regret ex
ceedingly that the circumstances
should be such as to bring about such
determination, and we feel con-
yinced that a similar regret will be
felt throughout the District among
the many friends and admirers of our
distinguished fellow-citizen. While
we confess very natural disappoint-
ment In the decision, which deprives
US of the services of gentleman,
who, we repeat, would have been our
first ch Dice, it is proper, in view OF
its importance, that public attention
should again be called to the ques-
tion, with view of selecting and
centering upon some gentleman who
will worthily lead our party Ia the
coming contest. In the discharge of
this duty, we are materially assisted
by the unanimity with which public
opinion, through the press, has as
ISOLATED, in connection with this
nomination the names of some of
the prominent citizens of this Dis
trict, and among the many who have
been mentioned, it would be idle for
any one to deny the peculiar merit
and eminence of those who have been
named from the Parish of Rapides.
OF these the names Of Judge T. c.
Manning and the Hon. James Jeffries
have been prominent, and while we do
not desire to detract from the merits
of any of the gentlemen, who have
been named from other Parishes, we
do not hesitate to assert, that wheth
er we consider their experience in
public affairs, or their abilities, no
names, either in the District or State
could command greater respect than
those of the two gentlemen referred
to. So long as there was hope that
Judge Manning would be able to &C
cept this nomination, we confess that
we favored the candidacy of that
gentleman. 1t has, however, all
along been known, that Mr.. Jeffries
did not desire to accept candidacy
which would involve a contest with
fellow-parishioners; but now that
Judge Manning has publicly declar-
ed that he cannot allow his name to
be used In connection with this nom.
ination, Mr.. Jeffries has yielded to
the solicitations of friends through
out the Parish and District, and will
permit his name to be brought for
ward as candidate for the Congress
sional nomination. We must ex
press our hearty satisfaction that
such q conclusion has been reached,
feeling as we do that the interests of
the Fourth Congressional District
could not be placed in worthier hands
than in those of our honored fellow
parishioner. 1t would be quite un-
necessary for US at this time to enter
into q detailed statement of the pub
lie services which have been render
ed by Mr.. Jeffries, or of the many
admirable qualities which distin-
tguished his character. Twice he has
been the unanimous choice of his
party for the House of Representa-
tives, and in each body he was an &C,
knowledged leader among the repre-.
sentative men of the State. In the
general Convention of the Democra.
tic party recently held at New Or
leans, he was called upon with an
unanimity most fattering to preside
over its deliberations, and the adj
mirable manner in which he per.
formed the delicate and important
duties imposed upon him by this
choice, has secured for him the party
commentator of the press through.
out the State.
A lawyer by training, scholarly in
his culture, fluent and pleasing
public speaker, combined with an
admirable tact and wonderful as.
siduity in tie discharge of public
duties, Mr.. Jeffries presents an unu,
suai combination of strong qualities,
and which mark him as peculiarly
worthy of political preferment. We
confidently, therefore, present bis
name, and urge his nomination, as 8