Thibodaux minerva., 1853-10-29
i" For US and our tragedy
Wa her a hearing natieptl,


But my friends like the morning dew, which
disappears SO soon as the sun dispenses his
morning rays over the eastern horizon, have
left me, and from some cause or other seen pro-
per to cast their influence in behalf of my COM
petitor, leaving me to fight my own battle singiy
and alone To this course of theirs humbly bow
in silent submission, leaving them free to sup
port the man of their choice, without murmur
or regret.
I claim the vote of no one as an act of re-
ciprocity; all ask is to give me fair field
and no undermining or undue influence. Op-
pose me on open and tangible grounds, and seek
not to bias the people against me by appealing
to national or sectional prejudices-as has al
ready been the case. tits true that there courses
in my veins Anglo-Saxon blood, whilst in that Of
my opponent flows the Gallic. But would ask,
are we not both Americans? and am simply
because my ancestors happened to be of Angli-
can descent, to be debarred from holding office
at the gift of the people? ask my fellow-citi-
zens, if such, of necessity, must be? 1t is for
them to decide.
The next objection urged to me, is my con-
nection with the Independent Order Of Odd
Fellows, which order, it is alleged, opposes all
forms of religion, and more particularly the
Roman Catholic l am well aware that the
Catholic Church is opposed to Secret Orders,
such as the Carbonaris, Free Masons Odd Eel
lows, &c., but at the same time, | am fully
aware that considerable number Of the Cath
olic priesthood are not personally opposed to the
Institutions of Masonry and Odd Fellowship.
though their duty to their church compels them
to discountenance them in the ministry. Odd
Fellowship, says the world, is q brotherhood
support, defend and protect one another. TO
this asseveration, knowing as we do how far it
corroborates with the facts in the premises, l
shall not, nor do think it proper to answer
If there be truth in it, would respectfully call
upon all such brothers as are now using their
influence in promoting the election of my oppo-
nent to stay their course, and pronounce them
selves in my favor, who, according to the world s
knowledge of Odd Fellowship, they are in duty
bound to support, and protect, in preference to
all others. The truth is this: either the world
must be wrongly informed Of our duties to one
another as brothers and members Of the same
order, or, that the brothers here have trans
gressed their obligations and are pursuing a
course in direct conflict with our laws. l love
the institution Of Odd Fellowship above party or
Office, nor would relnquish my rights to it for
the sake Of either. But as my object is not to
discuss the advantages or disadvantages of Odd
Fellowship, but to refute the objections being
urged against me as a candidate for the Recor-
dership, shall resume my task.
Having met and refuted the first and second
objections made to me- l shall now take up the
third, under the head of LAz1NEss. This is an
old charge, and 1 have often been jestingly
accused of it, by those who have pretended to
be my friends. It would be, / presume, a
fruitless task to controvert successfully this ac
cusation, and bring about different mode Of
thinking in the minds of any considerable por-
ton of the community. Be the task, however,
as gigantic MS it may, / shall undertake it, and
endeavor in as few words as possible give the
reasons that have chiefly brought about this con-
clusion. In my business relations I confess,
seldom, if ever, exact the full penalty of the
"bond," and, frequently, when shift can be
made in some other quarter, rather than to in
convenience "Antonio," I have given him
back his bond and taken his note payable at
convenience" rather than distress him. In
plain and in Ineligible language 1 am no
Shylock. This is styled laziness by many, but
the definition does not correspond with that
given in "Webster's Quarto." I would not
wish my debtors to be apprized Of the fact-but
I would give away debt in preference to
be compelled to sue for its recovery. This
as general thing, may not be good policy, but
such is my nature, and I shall not at this age
attempt to change or even modify it. If any
intend to vote against me, merely because am
accused Of being indolent, would respectfully
refer them to Messrs. M. II. Daunis and John
Collins, for whom done business for some time,
as accountant and book-keeper. .s.
would now ask the question Of my readers
whether. have not displayed industry and
energy in my capacity as conductor Of this jour
nal. Had been lacking in pride and in the good
opinions Of my patrons, might have managed
the Minerva simply with aviewt to my pecuniary
advantages regardless Of its influence in all other
respects. ,Is there > country newspaper in, the
state, which presents ! better appearance in
every respect thandoes the Minerva: Though
/ say it myself, there is not
Let me now take up charge No. 4. And in
what, think you, does it consist Why, simply
in the mere fact Of having seen proper to visit
the people in company with friend, and . strong
supporter Of mine, Jno. G. Raglan. who is, him
self, candidate for the Legislature. This
course is pursued BY others and ! see no reason
Why should not b privileged to pursue .
similar one. As zee no means Of clearing my
skirts Of this sin, "stsnd committed" and
appeal TO the clemency ef the court.
have now arrived ct charge No. 5, which
consists In my having saidin : heated moment,
no doubt, that / would sooner vote for dog
than democrat will not pretend to deny
the crave chArpA ,that NV c0YnnAfitOr has raked