The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1868-02-01
Organization Ofshe Dem Ocratic
Party.

We have received a copy of a circu
lar issued by the Democratic State Cen
trial Committee, and addressed to the
anti-radical people of Louisiana. The.
circular advises the a%nti-radical voters OF
the State to organize Immediately in op-
position to radicalism, and concisely
states the reasons which exists for con-
centyating the political strength OF the
white people within the Democratic Or
gauization. Indeed, the mere statement
| of the situation insures conviction on this
point. Elaborate argument is entirely
| supcrhuous to show that the Democratic
party of the country is the only organiza-
ton capable of competing with the Re-
publican party, and in fact the only or.
ranization adverse to radicalism that will
: j.. hrrawn in the contest. 1t must be
.~y:,I,,t to all that we of the South are
utterly " wrrlpss in this strife, except as
allies Of that great and generous party
: which is G,hting our battles in tho dom
;,1aut ), ctl,m and against the dominant
jar,i,n. \ decent sense of self respect
rrgnis.s If us a continued protest against
.;h,- Il, bjt'ary and despot;c legislation OF
Ron2~csss against the sche"e of preten-
Fdcd RECONSTRUCTION, by which these States
are to be forced into utilization with a par
ty which they detest ; against the uncon-
stiturional acts by which the plalnest
principles Of public liberty have been
subverte1 against the violation Of orr
rights. and the reckless destruction of
our material interests against the infa
nous attempt, for partisan purposes, to
establish negro supremacy m tue South
ern States. A passive acquiescence IN
these hagitious assaults upon constltu-
tional liberty would show us to be un-
worthy of the rights which re claim; but
the passive resistance, involved i II a per-
sistent refusal to accept the radical pro-
g,amme, will stregthen the hands of our
friends at the North, and tend to thwart
the designs of the Congressional ~revolu-
t%ionists. Beyond this, We are devoid Of
power. We can do no more. but eNpe-
diency ana principal combine to dictate
that We shall do as much. 1t will not
become us to dictate either the plan of
the campaign which is to be fought, or to
insist on coufering a name on the organ
ization which has assumed the duty aud
the task of defending u rights. If We
call on the Democratic Hercules of The
North for assistance, we have no right
TO ask that he change his name to sull
! our taste or caprice. When he ceases to
be Hercules he will cease to be strong.
Under the name of Democracy the De-
mocratic party has achieved many vic
tories and suffered a few DEFEATS, but
from all the defeats 1t has risen with re-
newed strength, and hopefnl of recurrent
triumph. lis policy is founded on its
principles, but its name is its religion,
70 that it clings with a tenaci'y which
may be superstitious, but which certain
ly is sincere. An attack on its name it
resents as if it were an assault on its prin
ciples. 1t has a traditional antagonism
to the word Conservative" although,
from the peculiarities of its position it
is now the conservative party Of the coun-
try The conservatives of the South, and
of the North, likewise We may say, have
no time to cavil about names They have,
great doctrines, essential rights, impor-
taut interests to preserve. 10 the De-
mocratic party they look for the pres,
servation of those doctrines, those rights,
and those interests.
With the Democratic party they agree
on every importan. issue before the,coun-
try. With the Democratic party they
will, probably, agree on the the plan byI
which the Union is to be finally restored
on constitutional principles; by which
the rights of the States are to be revived
by which the liberty>of the citizen is to
be regained. If they desire to eo-ope-
rate effectively, now, and hereafter, in
his momemtous work, they must ally
themselves, 18th in fact and in name,
with the "a ocracy of the country.
1t is, ffore, with reason, that the
State Cl# Committee call on the anti
'adiez louisiana to- organize under
shez the. great Democratic party
Of States. There is yot much
to- o., a'gu9&alt,5d 1anse we
the 9 zee for aIl
n e orgez