The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1883-08-15
hon, JAMES JEFFRIEs.
EDITOR DEMOCRAT

The many friends of the distin-
yuished gentleman named above have
noticed with great pleasure your able
and cordial endorsement Of his
claims and merits as the most sn'ta-
Bile candidate for nomination for Gov
eruor by the Democratic nominating
Convention, for, as we take 1t, nom
instion will be equivalent to cleo.
ton. II purity Of morals and great
ability contribute peculiar fitness,
the highest degree Of integrity both
in private and public life constitute
claims for such distinction, then can
we proudly point to NJ. Jeffries as
illustrating and combining all these
in his own person.
To very extensive requirements in
law and the varied walks of life, he
is possessed Of that practical knowl-
edge worth all the theory of books.
He has had large public experience
and is the exponent of administrative
ability of the very highest order. and
as the capstone Of all his uncompro-
missing integrity and innate modesty
may be cited as amongst his chief
recommendations. Without friends
or sycophauts to be rewarded for
their support, or enemies to punish,
he would carry with him into office
both clean hands and conscience, a
Iiberality combined With the strict
est and most unswerving justice that
would insure his dealing with all,
not 10 partisan light, hut upon the
closest scrutiny Of merit and qualifi
cation for all offices within the gift
Of the Executive. Scorning connec-
ton with all cliques. rings or fac
lions he can neither claim or desire
aid from such. While equally re-.
gardful Of the most minute interest
Of the State he would be the special
guardian of its agricultural, and
there are but few il any willing to
deny its paramount Importance
The country, as we consider in con-
tradistinction TO New Orleans, Is en-
titled this time At least to the choice
for Governor, though as ne 6rmly
believe our candidate will receive a
hearty support from the city, where
he - 80 we'll known and highly ap
preciated. FROM New Orleans came
the last Governor elect, as did his
predecessor. Then both the Sena.
tors, at least two members Of Con-
gress and many high State officials
already represent it. Mr.. Jef1ries'
fame, however, is by no means local.
He has rendered essential service to
the State, and his character for in.
tegrity and honesty, not less than
rare talent and capacity, is cocks
tent Herewith, and We much mistake
the signs Of the times If on the as
sembling Of the nominating conven,
ton he is not the choice of a large
majority Of every section. We have
heard it objected by some, profess
ing to hs his friends, that efforts now
10 bis behalf are prem ature; that the
time has not yet arrived to canvass
his merits for the nomination. We
do not subscribe to such opinion, bot
believe now to be the proper time.
No truly honest and capable candi.
date for nomination to any Office can
suffer by having his qualifications
discussed and thoroughly canvassed.
nay scrutinized and sifted if you will,
by those whose suffrage must elect
or defeat him. 1t is only the dema-
gogue, the persistant Office seeker
who can dread Investigation into his
past acts, but so firmly do we know
our candidate to be entrenchcd in
the panoply of truth, honor and hon
esty, 80 superior his claims by rea
son of great ability and experience
in statecraft, so highly do we believe
his past services, both to his party
and State to be appreci ted and
gratefully remembered, that his
friends will gladly court the very
closest scrutiny into all bis actions,
with the proud consciousness that
the severer the test the purer will
the gem issue from the crucible. We
say what we believe, that now is the
time to put the ball in motion. Let
his name be proclaimed from the
house tops, from city to town and
hamlet, from palace hall to the
woodsman's humble cottage, let the
name of Jeffries he our watchword,
from now till the nominating day,
and our word for it the people will
respond with loud Amen! We oh.
serve the claims of other candidates
are already put forth in elaborate ed
itorials from some Of the city press;
why should we of the country be de.