The New Orleans Democrat

THE CANDIDACY.
The Picayune Sunday morning contained an article on the approaching campaign, in which occurs the following paragraph:
It would be premature to speak at this time of the multitudinous candidates for Governor on the Conservative side: particularly so, as they will probably narrow down to a small numerical force when the time of actual hostilities shall have drawn near. There seems, however, to be an almost general understanding, even in the country, that to the city this time is due the honor of nominating a candidate for Governor, and the country members of the late Legislature signified their entire agreement in the proposition. The city will, then, probably nominate the Governor, and on this belief many of the election calculations are now being made.
Surely the Picayune is very much mistaken in claiming that the gubernatorial nomination is claimed by the city.
We are entirely satisfied that the masses of the Democrats and Conservatives in the city and country care little or nothing about the locality from which the candidate for Governor may be selected. The only point in which the people feel an interest is the character of the candidate. If he should be a weak man or a demagogue, he will give no satisfaction and will certainly be defeated. If, on the other hand, he is a man of high character and patriotic purposes, neither the country nor the city people will attach any importance to the place of his residence, and they will give him a cordial support whether he be a country man or a resident of New Orleans.
The locality from which the candidate may be selected is probably a very important matter with the politicians—the office-seekers—for, as is frequently the case, what is of least importance to the public good is of most importance to them. It is generally conceded, however, that, in the selection of the next ticket, the purpose should be to consult the interests of the State, and not the wishes of the demagogues, whose resolves, if encouraged, will lose us the fight. What the people want is a man of the highest character; a man who can command the confidence and arouse the enthusiasm of the people; a man whose election will be a guarantee of retrenchment and reform. If such a man is put at the head of the ticket, we know that the country people will not hesitate a moment to give him their support, even if he should be a city man; and we feel equally certain that the Democrats of New Orleans will rally to his support, even if he should be a country man. A number of gentlemen, in city and country, have been mentioned in connection with the nomination. But, if in a struggle literally of life and death, the people of this State are so vain and silly as to raise an issue among themselves over city and country men, we think that if they are defeated they will receive little sympathy from the balance of the country.
In his last official acts Gov. Ames showed great resignation.