The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-08-01


considering the circumstances, achieved great
victory. Judge Merrick is elected chief justice
of Louisiana by a large majority. Although
there were three candidates IN the field belong
ing to, and voted for, by the American party
capable, popular and deserving, and able, with
free field, to command large vote, and al
though, from the apathy and temporary dlscon-
tent in our ranks, we poled only about one
Elgee left here with 1873 majority, "Sam" had
stirred around in the country parishes so effec-
tually-and all within one short week of the
election-that the wave which bore the light
lugoer on its feeble crest, was swallowed up,
and the vessel wrecked by the tremendous
surge that rolled with resistless power from the
country, bearing triumpha1ntly upon its bosom
the American barque-a- Merrick- -on the deck
"a Merrick on the flag.
This election shows our strength, and with
what celerity the party can act Mr.. Lewis
who had an exalted reputation and was the
choice of many of the western, Ouachlta, and
other parishes, was nst known to be candi-
date by the parish convention IN New Orleans,
and was consequently not before it, was dropped
at once by the aforesaid parishes, because the
action was Immediately sent to them all, and it
mcndation was generally needed by the order
in the city, would have very potential voice
In MANY of these parishes Mr.. Merrick was not
known, but the endorsement, and the fact that
he was likely to get tie largest American vote
in the city. determined them to support him. If
few days more had been given, so that our
party and the candidates could have had a full
understanding, the vote Of the American party
would hardly have been split at all.
Under ali the circumstances, our triumph is
glorious one, and while it has Enlightened
the faces of the sons of "Sam, it has made the
allies quite gloomy We are sorry they take 1t
SO much to heart now, for our party is fully de-
termined to give them such drubbing in No
vembev, that proportionate dependency will
cause them to commit suicide.
/ One word more. Some are so unjust as TO
eensure Mr.. Lewis and Mr.. Elan for remaining
in the field, but this is simply absurd as will be
seen. We have known both these gentlemen
long and well, and there are no ADLER lawyers IN
! the State, and no men who would have made
better chief justices. And we are certain that
! if there had been anything like fair and au-
thoritative nomination by the order, they would
have retired, for there are no truer native
! Americans than they. No one thought the
mere recommendation of the New Orleans
parish convention binding on the order any
more than that of any other parish, and many
did not heed it at all At tallevents, the unani-
nous nomination Of Mr. Lewis by eight or ten
parishes was equally binding, if not more SO,
and gave that gentlemans friends the right to
consider him as much, If not more, the candl-
date Of the American party, than was Mr..
Merrck, who was nominated only by the parish
of Orleans and perhaps one or two others. This
fact togther with the fact that it was declared
in the convention that nominated Mr.. Merrick
that Mr. Lewis was not a candidate, induced
the latter gentleman's friends to insist that he
should remain in the field. The position Of
candidate was originally assumed with no alac-
ritv, and maintained with reluctance.
/ Under these circumstances the country was
not at all bound. Indeed any other parish had
as potential voice as New Orleans and it
could have been only from motives of expedi
ency that the country regarded the action of
the city.
We make this explanation because we are
unwilling that any such native American as
judge Lewis should be placed in false posi-
/ ton. Such as he are few. What we have let
us cherish.
In conclusion, we rejoice that this election
has shown the excellency and efficiency Of
| ''Sam's' arrangements throughout the state.
We know from our friends recently assembled
here in convention, that the cause is tlourishing g
and growing in strength in every part of the
state Amer. Exponent.
/ An act relative to Salvage