The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1859-10-12
THE ALEXANDRIA BARBECUE.

Our Democratic Barbecue at Alexan
dria ON Saturday last was emineDtly sat
isfatory in everything except the absence
of the opposition speakers. The earl,
morning was not promising and some
rain fell but the clouds soon cleared away
and bright October sun poured it,
genial beams over river wood and field
an emblem of the sun of Democracy which
will cheer the state on theseventh Of mex
month.
|. "A large intelligent and attentive as
sembly of auditors were addressed in turf
by the Hon. Pliny D. Hardy candidate 70,
Secretary of State, Hon. I. J. Semmes
candidate for Attorney General, Hon. B
L. Defreese candidate for State Treasurer
and Hon. Henry NJ. Hyams candidate fol-
Lieutenant Governor
Mr.. Hardy was not expected and took
his Democratic friends agreeably by sur
prise. He delivered short address con.
ceiyed in most appropriate terms and pro.
nounced in the style Of finished orator.
Mr. Semmes discussed topics of ma
tional and state politics with great ability,
lie illustrated and defined his views upon
the territorial question very perspicuously,
throwing more light upon that leading
question in few brief but compact and
logical sentences than can often be gath.
cred from long drawn speeches and pom
derous essays. He yindicated the admin
istration and the party against the
charges made by our antagonists, showed
the immense benefits which Democratic
measures have conferred, proved that all
which we boast of as nation is preserved
by Democratic principles and eulogized it
as the only national party. On personal,
local and State matters he was equally
happy in style. His appeal in favor ofor-
ganization and discipline was eloquent
and powerful and in dealing with our I'M
opponents the slight mingling of
quiet and genteel sarcasm gave edge and
pungency to his argument. He made out
a very clear case of "Sham" against the
getters-up of the Opposition State Ticket
and denounced their platform as un-
patriotic, deceptive and cowardly. The
speech of Mr. Semmes was the subject Of
universal appreciation. Itwas indeed one
of the ablest we ever listened to.
AT the close of Mr.. Semmes' speech Mr..
Defreese made few cursory remarks
which he said he intended merely to fill
up the time until the call to dinner which
was shortly to be served He explained
his motives in Becoming a candidate for
Treasurer and in entering industriously
upon the canvass. He had proceeded but
a few minutes when it was announced
that the tables were spread. The auditors
took their seats and did ample justice to
the solids and fluids with which the ad-
mirably arranged board was abundantly
supplied.
Mr.. Hyams arrived soon after dinner
and in spite Of the fatigue of a stage ride
of twenty hours duration he responded to
the call Of his fellow Democrats, mounted
the platform, and made very effective
speech in which the Know Nothings were
duly castigated for their follies and
vagaries.
All the speakers we're disappointed by the
absence opposition argument. The Know
Nothings had proclaimed exultingly that
T. j. Durant and ex-senator Soule would
be present, but although the invitation to
rec discussion had been published for two
months nearly, they did not see fit to take.
up the glove which was thrown before
them. There was nobody present to abuse
Mr.. Slidell, to denounce Mr.. Buchanan's
Administration, to ridicule Democracy to
curse conventions or to Whitewash the ras-
,ality of New Orleans Samuelites. Mr..
soule addressing crowd Of Democrats
n support Of the Know Nnothing party
Ind in his rich and musical French brogue
would have been a feature Of interest in
,ur barbecue rarely paralleled.
my An anonymous writer who signs
. Vindex to his communication in the,
American propounds questions upon po..