The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1870-10-08
MASS THE DEMOCRATS ON the
LEGISLATURES!

LEGISLATURE!
The advice we have given our Dem
ocratic friends, namely, to give their
earnest attention to the selection of
good men for the legislature, cannot
be repeated too often, nor too strongly
enforced upon the public mind. 1t is
to the legislature we are to look for that
measure Of relief and.reEorm which has
become essential to the salvation of the
credit and the good name of the State.
The past two years of Radical rule have
been fruitful in excuses, diabolisms,
and intolerable wrongs upon the peo-
pie. The public interests have either
languished from lack Of attention, or
what is worse, been partially resusci-
tated here and there with the deadly
poison of Radical proAigacy and lust.
The atmosphere in which we move has
been made foul and offensive with the
moral stencil of bribery, perjury, en-
bezzlement, murder and treason to the
State. A Governor has been found
who chooses for his companions outlaws
of society, peddles out patronage as one
would merchandise, and prostitutes his
high Office to the most ignoble purposes.
Grave judges fill our benches who be-
drabble the sacred ermine in wrangling
political orgies held ut midnight, and
whose administration of the law calls
forth daily the censure of the bar, the
press and the people. Legislators help
to frame our laws, who, beside being
totally ignorant of their duties, are fit
only to be the occupants of some moral
penthouse or Jail, for the remainder of
their natural lives. What wonder is it,
then, with leaders such as these, that
the people should be growing lax in
morals, Indifferent to progress, intent
upon selfish schemes and careless of
the State? Let the reader reflect a
moment, and point us, if he can, to a
single virtuous public servant, of all
those thrust into place by the party in
power, who is honestly intent upon
leading the people, by his example, in
to the paths frequented only by the
patriotic, the honest and the good. Let
him show us one office-holder, of that
class of such mould, and we will off
set his good example by hundred bad
ones.
At the ensuing election the Demo-
Gratis will have IL chance, and their last
one, to reform these abuses, and we
urge them to make use of it. After the
7th of November, we may look for a
remedy, but, should we fail to carry the
State upon that day, remedy will not
be found. The Radicals, emboldened
by victory and urged on by sordid pas
sions, will make carnival of the next
two years, and leave the people strug
Cling in their shackles. Shall we be
told that this is visionary, and that the
people are not in imminent danger?
Incredulous, foolish man, consult your
own experience, and learn there the
folly of trusting the Radicals. Bad
men control that party-men of dishon-
est antecedents~ and of dishonest pur-
poses. Trust them for nothing! Look
to it nor that your next representative,
or senator, is good man. Consult with
your friends, and among you agree to
support and elect such man. If need
be, let the Democrats of the several
parishes concentrate every effort upon
the election of members of the legisla-
ture, giving to the other positions
secondary place. If we can succeed in
carrying the legislature, let it be known
that everything else can be made to
follow. That point gained, the people
are safe; but if lost, all is lost, without
recourse or even the hope of recovery.
Our prominent men should take this
matter in hand, and ventilate it thor
oughly for the edification and benefit
of the masses. Valuable time should
not be frittered away in electioneering
for sheriffs, judges, or even State Off
Gals, when not every Office of this class
in the whole State is so important as u
Democratic majority Of one in the
legislature.
Democrats, Wake Up!