The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-05-18
LETTER FROM NEW ORLEANS.
New ORLEANS, May 9TH 1870.
To the Editor ofthe Democrat:

New ORLEANS, May 9TH l67U.
To the Editor Of the Democrat:
You will have learned ere this, that
editors representing an even degree Of
self-styled conservative journals Of
Louisiana, have again met in conven-
ton, and after mature reflection, dne
dcliheration and grave consideration
arrived at the previously determined
conclusion that third political organi-
cation is imperativ-ly demanded by
impossible exigencies. And they as
sigu as reasons for this very sage con-
ci,isipn:
LIST. That the Democratic and Radi
cal parties have .'lecOaIe so cOmpIica-
ted with the existing condition of at-
fairs "a to prevent that corporation Of
the people which is essential t. our
safety THAT is to the wrestling of pm
litical power out Of the hands of those
now welding to outrage, Cypress and
plumber the people
2nd. Because 5" the fragrant abuses of
power and tile corrupt atlanInist ration
of trust which, has recently pervaded
every department Of the State and City
Government, without respect to the
political party represented therein,
alike threatens the tights. and demands
the censure Of every citizen,"
These are eOgent reasons in favor of
the organization Of u third party, and
II they are sustained by the facts they
afford convincing pr,~f that the move
ment set on foot by the Conservative
Editors is not only dictated by wisdom.
bat demanded by necessity.
IL il true the Adventures and rene.
gadrs have abused the political power
they gained in this Stat. through con-
gressiOnal occupation, military inter-
ference, fraad and corruption. 1t is
equally trne. that they have corrnptly
administered the trust imposed by the
acquisition of this power. But fur the
life Of me l cabuot discover in what
manner the Democratic party become
complicated with the condition OF af-
fairs resultimg from this abuse and cor
r"pti"n. s" far rs the State govern
nent is concerned, the Democrats have
been pow erless for veal or woe since
the officials elected by them were re-
moved by military satrap. True,
there were men in the late general as
sembly who were elected as Dem"-
Gratis, but they we're too few in number
tn exercise any influence for good OF
evil. They could only protest against
the wholesale corruption and wanton
nsurpation that characterized the leg.
i.lation ot the majority. Admitting
that some Of them were as corrupt as
tl,ose comprising the majority, the
Democratic party il not responsible.
tor their acts, AZ their votes were ut ~.
time necessary to the passage Of any
one of the money schemes If plnnsle,
that animated from that body. 1
brides were offered to any Of the mem
/, bers III the minority. il was not b.ca,,s,
their votes were necessary, to the ma
j"rity, hut that it might b. said, in cas-,
they were accepted, that Democrats ar,
as susceptible tn bribery aud c"rrup
ton AS kadicals, whether W.! ite q
black.
But admitting that members of tn,
Legislature elected "a Democrats Iii,
receive bribrs, and were Interested il
many or all raScally schemes If plan
der enncted " that body, whose entire
legislation was characterized by bribery
and corruption; it affords no proof tina
as a consequences the Democratic party
has lost any Of it's former prestige O
|, become M unpopular with tile peOpl,
that they will not cordially c0-Op-rat,
! with it in an effort to restore and per
p-tnate Republican government on thi.
continent. 1t would not lie the firs
, time that men alused the power an,
betrayed the trust reposed in them
Snci' thing might have happened ha,
the members constituting the minorit,
Of the vote s'-cailed Legislature beef
) elected by the peoples party. Part,
names Il" not make men honest VIII
r are naturally disposed to be otherwise
IT'S true, the men elected to office i
this city by Democratic votes did abus
, lie power conferred npon them and di
corrnptly administer the trust reposr
in them. For this The party is only t
blame to the extent Of neglected dnt
in not preventing the nomination !.
> smcl men. The Democrats had it il
their power to secure the nomination
; Of honest. capas1e and faithful men
, could sncli have been found who wer
!, willing to serve the public in an officia
: capacity, at the sacrifice Of their pri
vafe interests. That this was no
e done, was mainly owing to the lack q
D u proper organization of the party. A
it was the nominations were left to
few men in each ward, who made tl,er
wholly with view to subscribing tl,ei
| shx.ir nrr infor,Sf iuafnul rf tl,.~e., :.