Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1853-10-15

mocratic Convention of this Parish are referred
to the following announcement which appear
ed months previous to its taking place." &C.
He then published the announcement of my
name subject to the decision of the Conven-
ton, then the card dated 2sth May, and after
wards the announcement of my name as an in
dependent candidate, and remarks, "By the
above it will be seen that Mr.. Erwin is running
as an independent candidate against the regu-
lar nominee of his party, Mr.. ArceHeaux, who
received the support of SO out of the 40 dele
gates in the Convention"
Mr.. Briols says my name was retained by my
Crosse Tete friends who voted for me in the
Convention. 1t is true the Crosse T6te and
Grand River delegates voted for me, but they
knew before they went into that Convention
that my lame would be withdrawn. The sim.
pie fact of their voting for me did not retain
my name
l addressed the following identical letter to
the delegates composing the Parish Conven-
ton which assembled in P%laquemine on the
End July.
"To the Delegates composing this Conven-
ton:
Gentlemen, l respectfully decline having my
name brought before this convention as a can
didate for any office in the parish.
Jos. H. ERWIN"
July End, 1853.
The above letter, explicit enough, was read
in a distinct and audible voice before any bal
lot was taken for the candidates for Sheriff, in
open Convention, and was heard by proba~
bly, one hundred persons.
My name was therefore regularly and pub
licly withdrawn from that Convention--all the
evidence which Messrs. Jennings and Briois
have published or may hereafter publish to the
contrary notwithstanding.
A few more words and | have done. This
publication is already too lengthy; but it
would reach to a far greater length even to
mention the mass of ungentlemanly and scan
dalous assertions which continue to emanate,
week after week, from that boosted sheet call
ed the "IberuM Gazette" conducted by an ed
itor who assumes the paternity of articles
which have given it the foul reputation it has
among considerate and honorable men. Those
writers may continue to call me "a traitor,"" "a
renegade" "hypocrite," "%felon," %"Iiar," "a tool
in the hands of the Wings" ia skeleton of a
Democrat" or any other vile epithet suitable
to their fertile imaginations. They are aware
of the shield that protects them from harm!
What l have written, | have written impul-
but truthfully. l have not weighed my
nor measured my sentences--or caicu.
lated the effect they might have upon the minds
of my fellow-citizen-.
This is my defence. 1t is the only mode of
defence allowed me under the many CALLING
caIumnies, insults and opprobiums which have
been heaped upon me through the Democratic
organ of this parish, and from the pens of
hose who rank themselves among the leaders
If the Democratic party here. Will the De-
be ruled by such a clique ?--or will
they condemn the right which a citizen has, Of
offering himself as a free and independent cam
lidate for a local office?
have nothing to conceal. am an indepen-
lent candidate because the manner in which |
treated by those previously alluded to
who wish to have every thing their own Way
induced me to withhold my name from a Con-
Vention which, in the incipient proceedings re-
alive to its organization, evinced its bitter op-
to me-. Twas a marked man from the
very commencement of the ward meetings. I
could not be moulded to the wishes of those
alluded to in the foregoing, and whose
genius and influence was evidenced in other
ward meetings than the one held in Plaque.
and therefore l must fall. But, fellow
their decision is not yet rati6ed--yours
s the final judgment. If defeated, I shall
lot complain of you. If elected, l can only
rive the simple promise which might be ex-
'ected from an honorable man: the duties of
ny Office will be discharged to the best of my
'bility, while having in view the interest of
10th the citizen and the State.
JOS. H. ERWIN.
P~LAQUEMIvE, October 18th, 1853.