Year: 1879




After receiving kilograms from the
chairman OF the Democratic Executive
Committee of Ohio, and the chairman OF
the National Democratic COMMITTEE
concerning the effect of the Reputation
of any part of tie State debt by the
Constitutional Convention, we were not
wholly unprepared for a movement OH
the part of the Republicans OF Louisiana,
which would be calculated to contribute
to bringing disastrous results TO the
Democratic party of this State and to
the National Democracy.


When, therefore, the representatives
of the administration at Washington
were discovered to be actively engaged
in cnticiny Republican delegates into
the adoption of a seperate Republican
programme, it became quite evident
that the " fine Italian hand" Of John
Sherman has been brought into play,
with IL view of precipitating such action
by the Convention as will place the
Democracy at Il disadvantage.


Fortunately Delegate Robertson
quickly detected the game, and, to the
credit of the Democratic members Of
the Convention be it said that when
brought face to face with the cOnSo-
Qucnces Of injudicious action, they
promptly suspended the acrimonious
consideration OF this question, and have
sensibly and sobelly set at work to see
if disc0rdant views cannot be reconciled,
and a basis of adjustment agreed upon,
which will relieve the people and yet
preserve both the good name Of the
State and maintain the integity OF the
Democratic party.


No greater calamity could bcfali the
people than that the Democratic and
Conservative citizens Of this State, who
have been welded together by the try
ing struggles of 1872, 1874 and 1876, and
by whose cXeTtiOus taxation has been
gradually reduced, vast reforms inHugis-
rated, and high hopes for the future
raised, should stop short, with the good
work partially completed, and by q
blunder divide and Gisintegrate our
party.


Every Intelligent man knows that the
adoption Of such measures as may eX-
pose the party TO the charge of rcpu-
diation will array the Democratic and
Conservative citizens Of this State in
fierce strife, and cause Il read l-justnent
of political lines.


Thousands Of gentlemen who have in
the past been recognized is patriotic
leaders and lab0rers for the success of
the party, cannot be brought to the
support OF such Il proposition, because
they regard their party as pledged by
its own acts to a recognition OF the
debt, and whatever may have been
their opinions cOrcerning the creation
of the debt, they are unwilling to sup
port measures yiolAtiye of their con-
destructive Of the best interests of the
State.


Delegates should weigh carefully the
effect of continuing this question as a
political issue, and in this emergency
the patriotic course will be to take a
broad and statesmanlike view Of the
situation, and discarding local consid-
erations, they may rest assured that the
people will sustain any settlement of
this question which leaves the honor OF
Louisiana unimpaired, yields to the
creditor all that the people can pay, and
secures a simple, economical form Of
government, with taxation reduced
nearly one half its present rate.


We regret to observe a spirit prevail
ing on the part of some delegates calcu-
lated to prevent any fair settlement.
These men are ohstructioDists, and the
Convention should plainly indicate to
them that if they cannot rise about
their narrow views, OF it they are seek
ing to promote dangerous issues for the
purpose of advancing individual pre-
tensions, it is time they should be ig-
nored, and men come to the front who
are capable of patriotic impulses and
patriotic action. There should be a
yielding up Of extreme views, and such
action taken by the Democratic dele
gates as will etfectually thwart the
schemes of Mr.. John Sherman.