The Opelousas courier., 1870-08-06


his political friends is his testimony the
more conclusive of the truth of what we
have said. In bis letter dated June 22,
1870, and addressed to Mr.. j. 8. Soude,
speaking of the Radical leaders i'm this
State, he says:
"There must be an absolute separation
from the dishonest and incompetent men
who have ruled since 1867 I"
This is strong language, yet it is sur
passed in severity by Republican ad-
dress just issued with the endorsement of
the Republican State Central Committee.
That address says:
"Citizens and Republicans AFTER an
experience oftwo ears, under the leader
ship of the most dishonest dnd corrupt set
cfpotiticians that hare erer disgraced the
political history O any Of the States Of this
glorious Union, you are now called upon
to rescue tire State from the hands of the
political adventurers uAo hare brought ii
on the rerge Of bankruptcy -
Thus it la seen that our. verdict is ap-
proved by leading men of the Republican
party; and yet in the same breath in
which they write down the infamy of
their own party, they solicita continu-
ance of the support of the people under
the pretence that honest men are to be
mt forward in the future. If the sal
vation OF the party depends on that test,
it must inevitably share the fate of the
CITIES Of the plains, and it's requiem will
be sung in November next. But this is
not only eur own, but the verdict Of all
good men, endorsed by Mr.. Durant him
self, who realizes how muc: better it is
for his ignoble party to be defeated than
survive longer under the leadership OF
such corrupt political adventurers" as
now af1ict our beloved State.
The pernicious consequences of the
acts Of the Radical party throughout the
State have been severely felt by all
classes, white and colored, native and
foreign born All have been pluDdered,
deceived, oppressed, and restricted in
the enjoyment of rights guaranteed by
every law. human and divine. In order
therefore to redeem our State, and re-
lease ourselves from the grasp Of ineffi-
cient and corrupt men, it becomes Us to
unite az one man. without regard to race,
color or previous condition, and hurl
them from place and power, and fill the
Offices with honest men and patriots.
The interests of both white, and black
men are identical in this struggle.
Whatever rights and privileges either
enjoy under the Constitution are sacred,
and it is the duty of every citizen to ace
that they are maintained. The Demo
cratic party has always upheld and de-
Tended the Constitution of the country,
and will now, as eyer ip the past, pro-
tect and defend every citizen in the full
and free exercise Of oil rights guaranteed
by that instrument. At the last election
in New York, 50 triumphant for the
Democracy, the only charge brought
against the party was, that it favored
the colored citizens in their constltn-
tional privileges. The colored people
of this State, therefore. may be assured
that the Democracy will ever continue
to live up to the grand principles that
have soslong characterized IT,
As the greater part Of our n,isfortnnes
are clareeable to the last Legislature.
it 10 in the power Of the people to remedy
mach Of the mischief by the election OF
true and tried men to the coming Leg
islatare, the members of which are to
be chosen in Novembnr next. In this
way we may yet save tho State from fur
ther financial and political ruin. ,Eo
that end let the Democratic and Conser-
vative voters put in nomination their
best men for the Legislature and use all
laudabie and honorable efforts to secure
their election.
Besides Legislature, a State Auditor
and Treasurer ars also to be elected.
dur platform is retrenchhsnt and re-
form to rid the State of its enormous
debt reduee taxation have cur levees
rebuilt; restore confidence and promote
harmony between capital and labor be-
tween the eolored man and the planter ;
between the latter and the merchant
to induce immigrssioB, and to develop
the vast agricultural wealth Of the State
For The Aceonpishmsht Of these pur.
poses we ask the cooperation OF all good
citizens, under whatever name associa;
ted We believe . great triNmph II
within our reach, Republicapism has
produced its. bitter frnits, and in them il
written its own condemnatioBs Its days
are numbered in Louisiana! A party
that publicly pleads the cnnss Of corrup'
ton; that seeks to return 20 oiBce meI
who have earned an indelible infamy I
whose watchwords haverbeen fraud. dis
simulation and false premises to Q Gro
dulons consistency; who. ridicalo pri'
vats morality who publicly proclaim
that the ruling naotiyes pf their legislalsl
ton are spoliatiop and oppression, can,
not confront the voters ofJ.Quisiana and
successfully demand theie eanRPert. !.
We e1r1estlx. prge npoh Me- people
thronshaAs Tie SfsteS 20 orgsnfze for ths
49, nrs.N Mns,, mi kAnea n$ thu