The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1868-02-08
Address Of the Democratic Stat
Cezatn..a; 60 Rl2ikattce.

central COzRaahkssscC
To the People @Me State of Louisla
G Tae Cen,ral State Commit e., app
ted tor Initiating a permanent organ
ton of the Demolatic party of the st
have directed us to set forth the grou
for this movement, and the motives
asking your Immediate, active and I
GUS cooperation.
The political struggles which
been so long c~onvulsing the cou
are Lurrying to a crisis: fron
quarters the din of preparation is
for the conflict which is to decideA
haps beyond reversal, certainly toy e
erations, themomeptous question, VI,
er the rule of constitutional law
prevail or anarchy shall triumph-k
violent change OF Il government IA
the consent of the governed.
For a dreary period the passi
gendered by a terrible civil W" "
not permitted to die out with its5ael
They were wickedly fomented, any
to inaugurate that, undo
guise of securing the fruits OF a W
to the nation, were meant to alte
whole political system of the col
for the benefit of a faction in power
The cruel necessities of war unsfa
some of the f-mest pillars Cot the 81
ture of government. When peace l 81
ambition and revenge, and baser 6
conspired to proven: the re@storatld
even after t6ss 1diifssssaatthhrr a efame
weakness, in the Southern theory ]
parts, had been completely elisnia
THE war of arms was over; but
nlaca Las fallezaa q Sas 3 plant
selves irremoyably in authority.
For two years their success wa
fect-so long as their selfish legis4
fell only on the Southern States]
bitter memories of the war, and the
discipline of party sustained them \
the mass of the Northern voters. I
many to whose judgment their act
were repugnant, shrunk from oppo
the tide OF popular prejudice, and
silent when they could not approve.
acquiescent because they dared not
sist. Encouraged by these success
the arrogance of the leaders rose to a
sumptuous height, and a course. of Il
lation ensued under which a powt
reaction has commenced.
The multitudes who make up pa
are slow to renounce errors that
been sanctioned to them by the tie
ings of leaders in whom they have
fidence, and that are associated J
political triumphs ver which they
exulted. r.t .'-s "s y * .a..a
But the limit to whichthis indulge
could be extended has pm 9ly been 70
The frenzy of faction has wertasked
patience ofthe people. Iekas ava.
ed their Judgment and ala0med
- aoznces to the enormity Of the
i"ses pefpetratea "a their name, NanC
1ne further crimes that are me-
and audaciously proclaimed as AL
'esSities Tor the new straits of par|
nhey have sem a rising of alaA
millions IN the South-dreading FL
version, to their ruin, Of a constl
which they loved-put down viii
J armies, at enormous :!
the result Of all thief sacrifteso
the rising up amidst themselves. II
vast conspiracy to throwr the 81,
constitution, and ton tilate and H.
distracted theV he Un;on far .
of which they had sol !,
ishly poured out blood and treasure.
,lhey have Seen ten States. with
a'''''ss've people striving to get with
.as protecting folds of tlls Constitn,ia
t1'chTn rom -.~H.- ar NO o.~rws
son than that they were anxious tS.S;
port that Constitution in all the SECS
U which the war had decideaacant,
heir earlier convictions, proceeding
n Congress they hadsthpmselves, as
md the remaininale purposes of the
0 thrust out sassailing the executive
9 oostsof the Government, s:rp-
iaJ2 w 81 every function that could Dc
by law, and many that the Con
tuition should protect, only 10 put the
esideat GU: of the path Of their des-
lie will and now, assailing the gu
sme Court, and attempting to. throttle
Judges, in order to stife the utter
CO Of the judgment Of condemnation
" know their acts would receive from
d independent judiciary.
Il would not b. just to charge-'hat
Is solely because thesessssresolu.lonary
g have begun to toHcll3 IN ! their, con
4 the material interests OF the
opls Of the represented States. bril-
!, .noverty and distress on mnlt,tudss'
II there is the tremendous reaction
ainst the authors which every utter