St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-11
Work for "a Representative
Convention.
Picayune.

| i . &
AS we said yesterday, it is not too
soon to agitate these questions, relating
| to men and measures, which are to enter
into the approaching important political
campaign. In a very short time the
State Democratic Central Committee
| will hold meeting to concert the plan
of the campaign. Within less than six
months the State Convention itself will
probably be held and the ticket placed
| in the field.
! tits time, therefore, to agitate. The
people have been lulled into the belief
| that it is too early to commence talking
about the conduct of a campaign so far
ahead. But, ON investigation, it will be
discovered that this cry comes from
those who were already at work and
was raised in order to lull the uncor
rupted masses into a fatal apathy. The
men who raised it are at work.
We make this extract from an edito
rial which originally appeared in the
Shreveport Standard, and which was
republished by the Alexandria Democrat
with the comment that it "justly con-
veys the sentiments of nearly every man
living ia the Red River Valley" 1t is
matter for congratulation with all the
friends OF reform that advice so timely
and so sagacious is heartily approved by
so large and intelligent part of the
Democratic party of this State. It the
whole party is equally aroused to sense
Of the necessity OF immediate activity
and constant vigilance there is no reas-
on to fear the result of the contest
which is so soon to be begun.
We have before called attention to
the fact that as rule heretofore the
delegations of the country parishes to
the State Convention have been selected
with too little care, and have been too
frequently virtually self-appointed.
The fact has been denied, it is true;
but we believe that our statement is in
accord with the candid Judgment of
observant men throughout the State.
1t would hardly be going too far to say
that the people occasionally vote, but
never nominate. A few leading men,
who have achieved certain prominence
because they havetaken more active
interest in party management than their
neighbors have, get together and send
themselves to the State Convention.
The body Of the voters through indiffer-
ence, Incidence, or false modesty, keep
away from the Parochial Convention
and permit these leaders to represent or
misrepresent them, as the case may be.
Sometimes, perhaps, it is taken for
granted that they will use their best en-
deayors to secure proper ticket.
Sometimes the siothfnl and neglectful
citizen excuses his own inaction on the
doubtful ground that Democratic con-
.yention on the whole is likely to be
representative body, and that the unto
ward predictions of the delegation
from his particular parish will be over
ruled by the good sense and patriotism
of the majority. But very often he has
no better defense than that he is very
busy, and that his whole mind is given
to his crop. If you expostulate with
him, he will probably close the discus
sion by informing you that he is no
politician"
This disregard of public duty becomes
habit which it is difficult to break.
The man who has for many years sys-
tematically surrendered his right to |
raise voice and exert an influence in
politics begins to feel that he has lost
that right. Heis afraid that it would
be considered presumptuous in him to
speak out boldly upon public occasions,
and he finds that he has not the nerve
to claim the floor when his parochial
convention is in session. So it happens
that even when he is convinced that at
fairs have fallen into bad hands he con-
fines his protest to a private grnmble,
or attempts to shoulder off the RESPONSE
bility on those who do his voting, if not
his thinking, for him.
It is easy to see how all this tends to
foster the growth of local rings. The
little clique, finding itself in undistnrbed
possession OF the party management In
it's parish, is not slow to discover that it
can use its power for its own advance
ment and emolument. 1t will claim all
the pap and patronage that should 60
to that parish, and the Calm will be con-
ceded in return for political support.
The next step is tie combination Of that
ring with other local rings, and the pro
cess is con tinued until they form togetfl-
er one great clSim which it is almostI
to break. We have already
come to that pass in Louisiana. The
politicians in the State UNI