Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1853-10-15
PLAQUEANE PARISH OF IBERVIII.E, OCTOBER 1853

candidate Tor Sher1f was given TO MIN Tor pup
LEGATION by a friend of mine, the same which
now appears in the Gazette. He at first refus-
ed positively to insert it, knowing, probably
that by inserting it, he would be incurrng the
dispeasure-the fearful frown-of the tew in
diriduals who threaten and rule him. AS soon
as ascertaned that he was unwilling to an
nounce me in his paper, inquired the cause of
his refusal. He replied. for excuse, that the
announcement did not come directly from me,
and that on account of my previously published
card, be had therefore declined inserting it; that
my friend had carried away the announcement
| sent hin,--but if would write another, he
would publish it in his paper. I wrote and
handed him the following, as being more ap-
proprate than the previous announcement:
"PLAQUEMINE, July sth 1853.
"T'o the Editor Of the IberriNe Gazette:
"Sir: Through the urgent solicitations of
| numerous friends irrespective of party, have
consented to become a candidate for Sheriff,
and intend to be announced as such. As this
course might be deemed inconsistent with
card preyiousl y published in your paper, will
merely state that circumstances which have
transpired since the publication of that card,
and which caused me to withdraw my name
| from the Convention, fully exonerate me, in the
opinion of my friends from any obligation ars-
| ing out of the declaration contained in said card
JOS H. ERWIN"
1lr. Jennings, after having read the above
remarked that it was entirely too long; would
occupy too much space-that the matter intend
ed for that number of the Gazette, was then
ready for the press-that it was impossible for
him to insert the announcement, &c. l. how
ever persisted in being announced, stated that
in becoming a candidate, made no political
sacrifices whatever; that if he gained anything
personally by the election of my opponent, he
certainly would not lose anything were sue
cessful--that thought it would be friendly
contest between Mr.. Arceneaux and myself, es>
peciaIIy as we were both Democrats--that as
the organ Of the party, did not anticipate any,
thing else than that he would oppose me; but
expected he would do so honorablv, truth
fully and fairly. Mr.. Jennings, at length per-
ceiying perhaps my determination, seemed puz-
Zled and walked out of the room. The COM
positor then produced the first announcement
ofmy name that had been sent in, and which
Mr.. Jennings said my "friend had carried away"
That announcement was rolled into a small
paper pellet and when undone it was perceived
to be torn. However, it was inserted in place of
the one wished, although it was not probably
four lines shorter But in the same issue of
the Gazette there were editorial remarks sever
al times the length Of the announcement which
he refused in consequence of its length, and
proved upon its face 10 have been written since,
as it commented upon the announcement which
he inserted, thus proving that the reason which
he gave for not inserting my last written an
nouncement was a direct lie! That last an
nouncement alluded to my having withheld my
name from the Convention and referred like
wise to the card which he weekly displays in
large italic capitals, to draw forth the condem-
nation fthose who are only informed Of local |
political matters through the columns Of his |
paper; and it made known too, the fact as sta
ted, that my name did not 60 before the Con-
vention, although "the clerks neglected ii, so lille
important did 1t seem "--and which he never
degned to notice, as it might cause check to
that avalanche offeeling which it was thought
the articles of The teU individuals who threaten
ed him, would spread far and wide against me.
And now for very important cause of my
falling under the condemnation of that clique
who are moving heaven and earth to defeat
ne.
In the spring of the year 1852 (as near as l
IAN recollect0 happened to meet with several
Democrats, among whom were the principal
mes of the clique alIude to, who invited me
o aid them in forming a Democratic Club. |
onsented, and attended the first meeting, held
n the upper story of a certain dry goods store
n this town. Before the meeting dispersed,
ne of the members proposed that each one of {
IS should sign written pledge binding himself
o vote for Democrats for all Offices indscrilni-
ately. 1t was written out by the Secretary, 8
nd all, with the exception of myself, signed it.
stated my reasons-tbat l thought such
curse would be highly wrong, and that there
'as great difference between local and politi- {
al candidates. Failing to get my signature,
'as requested to keep the meeting secret. |
romised would not be the first to speak of
and had some of those sgners done the
anne thing, it would not have been made pub J
C. And here, it seems, acting from eenscien- l
Gus motives, hurt or injured my prospects, )
Of with the Democratic party hope-but a
th the clique alluded to, for some of them as
erted that my refusal to sign the pledge, sacri-
cling honor and principle, was among other |
bjeetions they bad against me as a candidate
" Sheriff, and publicly declared that in case c
+ r