The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1870-11-05


LOSE OF TINE CANvASS-.-FINAL AP.
PEAL.
We are rejoiced to know that the
in. this State is SO near it's close.
Let the result ON Monday be as it may,
we do not think that if the twenty-four
hours yet intervening were prolonged
to so many weeks, there would be,
without change of incidents and facts,
any alteration in that result. And
whatever may be the fate of the day, if
fairly brought about, we are prepared
to say in advance, we will faithfully
abide by it. Would that we could hope
for as much from our Radical opponents.
But 1t is one of the evils they have f,as-
tened upon our elective system, that
the ballot-box, once the final arbiter
between political parties, is no longer
decisive in it's judgments and sacred in
its expression of the popular will. 1t
is now only the gateway to contests and
to unjustiflable partisan outrages upon
the elective franchise.
1t is to be lamented that the canvass
about closing has been conducted with
so little spirit ON the part of the Democ-
racy. In nearly every portion of the
State, stupor appears to have held
our friends down and prevented that
active exertion 50 eloquently demanded
by the best interests Of both State and
people. We have had continually be-
fore our eyes noble Incentives to action,
in the wrongful acts and profligate mis-
management of our Radical rulers, and
we have had rendered us the opportu-
nifty of removing the political and
social curses saddled upon us by these
bad men. Two years we have felt and
carried their CALLING yoke, harrassed in
our political rights and rendered inse-
cure in the enjoyment of our homes and
firesides. The aspiration for a whole
some reform has been felt in the breast
of every honest, patriotic citizen in the
State. And yet, the only means of re-
form, the ballot-box, we have, we fear,
sadly neglected. .''...
But before the closing of the polls on
Monday, q thousand voters at least will
have read this article. We cannot re-
frain from appealing to them, at this
last moment in the canvass, as we have
done from its incipiepcy, to exert them.
selves manfully and untiringly, in the
few hours remaining, for the cause of q
redeemed State. There is q class Of
politicians in this State who have nc
interest in common with the people
In fact, all the interest, promptings and
ambition they possess, are in hostility
to the peoples welfare. They are me1
without habitations and without any re
spect for public opinion ;careless of thei1
most solemn obligations and as vindic
tive as serpents. 1t is this class of mel
who arc aspiring to rule over us during
the next two years, and against whom
we are to contend oh Monday. And
the contest, let it he remembered, is not
simply for two years. control of the
State, but it is also for an indefinite
lease of power. Give the leaders of the
Radical party the next two years in
which to shape the legislation of tho
State, and their removal from place
and power cannot be effected without Il
revolution. At the expiration of that
time, the people of the State will be
utterly powerless to effect reform, and
they may then see the stupendous folly
of inactivity in this important crisis.
We shudler to think Of such II result
as that Of two years more Of Radical
rule. It is tantamount to the suppress.
sion, during an ordinary lifetime, o.
every fond hope for the State, and tho
extinction of every aspiration for oul
political prosperity. It portentis the
waste of desert and the depretlations
of wild Bedouins. 1t signifies unjust
laws, oppressive taxation, a hostile
government, political serfdom, extin.
guishment of State pride, war upon pri.
vate property, decentralization in socie-
ty, crowded jails, enormous bills for
criminal expenses, official insolencC
and incompetency, and, in short, such
a long train of evils as will build up
a pandemOnium, a palpable hell, all
over our State.
Against this possible doom, we appeal
to the people, to fight with an energy
irresistible. Let them lay aside their
private concerns for one day, shut out
all of the past that may incline them
to indifference, and give to the great