The American patriot., 1855-09-15

0ATURDAXs SEPT. 1os 1SoOs
The Judicial Election East and West
FelicianA.
The Feliciana Democrat, hard run for copy,
says:
1.-THE value of Know-nothing arithmetic can
be seen by examining the returns OF the
Judges election"
Il again says 1.-THE vote was nearly full
vote ofthe parish" and that ''the election was
contested actively on both Sides"
In the "matter" Of the Democrat, IS well as
'.manners" on this subject, we acknowledge
great disappointment. And our own can only
be accounted for in the fact that there was q
far greater disappointment on the other side.
Not 30 much in the result, as in the summing
up." We return therefore the 'chalice to their
own lips"
If there is anything in Agures-and they do
not 'lie"-all agree that Ratliff was elected,
because he received 78 votes more than Smith
in East and in West Feliciana.
The vote cast in East Feliciana for Judge,
was, for Ratlif, $50; for Smith, so7 majority
7S-total 6s7. Now, by what arithmetic" is
it that this is NEARLY the full vote Of the par
ish." Ours puts it down at 800; less Ratliff's
vote $50, leaves majority Of 40 against the
democratic party. t
Again. Ratliff . vote was $50. Deduct at
least 20 who not only demurred, but went a
point beyond it, and you have Ratliff's legiti-
mate vote, 36O-not unit more. And if you
double this you have 72O. Now, our friends
know that this is mach short of the Parish
vote.
One other "arithmetical calculation sug-
gests ITSELF On the day Of the election the
side vote given for local nominations was: for
Clerk-Patterson, $40; for Assessor-Drawdy,
$780,, for Coroner-McGhee S79; and as the
Democrat" says, was actirely contested, yet
it falls short of one half of the parish vote.
It may be asked us why we did not do bet
teri We might in reply ask, why the COM
plexion of the West Feliciana vote-one ma
jority for Ratlif'? Any disappointment there,
good friends
The Democratic party hereabouts, we mean
particularly those who assume to act as 'spe-
cial committee men," know, or ought to know,
for they have had experience herein, that the
old motto Sin union there is strength" is
sometimes disregarded, and nothing SO quick
ly hastens return to it as defeat. For in the
history Of party transaction there are always
occurring events which temporarily depress
the spirits and tend for the time being to wea.
ken the bonds which bind together. The re-
suit is often present defeat.
May this not have been the case in our re-
cent Judicial election, And probably none
know it better than those who, for purpose
give other and different version to the story o.
our defeat.
If in that election there were elements o.
discord and opposition, which ought not tc
have existed, and which, if time had permitted
might have been controlled and counteracted
they will teach lessons for the future.
There are many, and the writer of this is
one, who has always been opposed to loca
nominations The tendency is generally inju
rious to more leading political interests. Al
aspirants for Office have their friends, ,oorkin,
friends. and it too often happens that in thei
personal zeal, they overlook what stares others
and ought to stare them in the face.
We will not here particularizc, or give any
precise opinion as to the causes of defeat, they
may have been one or more. It is for tn,
present sufficient to say that result has beer
arrived at, which places Mr.. Ratlif on tn
bench. And we might intimate, adpisedly
that We as party have less cause for com
plant, and the Democratic party less cause 70,
graduation than is usual on exciting occa
sions of this sort. We are free and indepen
dent people, able and willing to do as we choose
nothing in our several obligations, binding u
to do otherwise, than as we choose. Else W,
might be subject to certain charges, ofte,
made against us, as an "Oath bound, darl
lanter clan." As free and independent Citizen
then, under the circumstances, free to choose
each according to bis several and distinctiv
views of public duty.
A Judge has been elected We will not sui
fer ourselves to speak of him, as was NOR
than intimated in certain quarters, and assert
ed in certain newspapers in reference to, AM
about the "Chief Justice" We are willing t,
admit that Mr.. Ratliff may make good judge
and can readily discriminate between 'Joh'
Doe" and "Richard Roe," and that from hi
past life, the public service will be intentional
ly attended to.
In taking retrospect of the late election, al