The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1870-03-12
The Press Convention.

The Press Convention.
Convened as the representatives Of
the Conservative newspapers of the
State, for the purpose Of combining on
| conservative platform and name, and
decls ring themselves independent of the
evil practices of both the existing par
ties, this body divided equally on the
very first test of the siacerity and con-
sistency of its movement. This was
simply the declaration of its ''independ-
ence of existing political parties These
words, contained in the first OF the reso-
luticns reported by the Committee on
Resolutions, were struck out, and all
that was left of this resolution was a
bare enuncia:ion of what it appears to
us to have been quite supertiuous tor the
gentlemen of the Press to assemble to
declare, to wit that the Press would
oppose all corruption and dishonesty in
public officials and poli,i al parties This
seems rather lame and impotcnt con
clu,ion, of meeting called with SO much
seriousness. The objections to the de-
claration of the Press independence OF
exis ing parties we're
|. That it was an attempt to create
new and third political party.
Q. That il looked like dictation on the
part of the Press.
2 That it casts an odium upon the
Democratic party.
These were the views of the represen-
tativrs of the Bee. La Renaissance. the
Ibe, willie South, the Bayou Sara Ledger
and the Opelousas Courier On the 9th
er side, the declaration of Independence
| of existing political parties was warmly
supported by the Sugar Planter. the
Planters Banner, the Morehouse Con
servative, Mr.. Burwel, of De Bows Re-
view, and the New Orleans lines, on
these grounds :
|. That it was no dictation to any
one. but a'duty Of the Conservative
Press, to declare its independence of po-
litical parties, which it believed had fail
ed, and would be certain further to fail,
in securing an honest government, and
tie defence Of the rights and liberties of
the people; and that the object of the
new movement was to combine all hon
est citizens, of every class and party, in
a new organization, opposed to the Ra'
dical party, and relieved of the burdens
and preiud,ccs, and embarrassments to
which the Democratic party was subjec'
ted.
2 That the call of the Convention
clearly indicated the organization Of a
new but not third party-a new par:
ty, which would absorb AID combine all
the elements (including the whole Dem,
cratic party and all other Conservatives :
arrayed against the unscrupul"us fac
ton which now hold power in this State
chiefly through the impracticable and
fu,ile eff,rts Of the so-called Democratic
party; that. so far from being intended
AZ a denunciation of or reflection upon
the Democratic party, the propositior
aimed at results in which the whole De
M cratic party were interested and trus
ted to accomplish, but could never ac
co,npIish in its present condition ant
under it's present organization.
| Some of tn Sc views, indeed the lead
| ing ones, app pIeared to command the ar
proval of a majority of the Convention
who were, however. restrained from vo
ting for the resolution from an aI,prshen
sion that it might be regarded as dicta
ton, or as slur upon the Democracy
This was the view Ut DR.. Ward, of the
| Ibcrvi 10 South, the President of the
Convention, who declared his desire and
willingness, to call peoples conven
tion, and to advocate such an organiza
ton as was contemplated Of all the anti
Radical elements. ...s..
Then, on the proposition to strike ou'
the words declaring the Independence o1
| the Conservative Press of existing po
| litical parties 10 the State, there was 6
| tie vote; which fact was regarded as ex
| hibiting a fatal division Of opinion upor
what was regarded as the cardinal prin
.ciple and policy Of the Conservative
movement.
i Iu the tie vote on this question tn
city Press stood as follows : For tn
| declaration OF independence of existing
political parties The Times, the Plea
yune and DeBow's Review; Against
I, The Bee and La Renaissance.
II After such vote, it became very OF
yious that the Convention had failed t
} accomplish what was regarded as 1t
main political object-N. O. Times.