The south-western., 1870-10-19
1ndependent Candidates Again.

INDEPENDENT Candidates Again.
There doubtless be these who think 1t not properly
within our province take note of the action OF men
or parties outside parish 1t isnot our dispo
sition to detate-tar very far from it. Nor are we
firm believer in our own nfallibty, and hence ever
cheeruy accede to others the privilege of acting and
thinking for themselves. But if word of warning
from one who has watched closely-for his heart was
in the vgl-the of the Radical party IN this
State and throughout the South since the close OF the
war; can avail ought in defeating the designs OF that
nm scruplous orpanization VIC would deem ourselves
recreant to our trust as public journalists and false to
all the instincts of Southern gentleman, did we with
hold that word of warning for pocys sake or foF lear
of woundng the feelings of even personal Ifleho'
We are the organ of man nor OF any party except
40 far as that party is true to what we conceive 10
be-mistakenly mayhap-the true Interests OF the
South Did we believe that drop of blood coursed
our veins that was not eal to the land OF our birth
and of our love would head in saekcioth
and 90 from the presence of men, feeling ourselves
lust object of and loathing to every true ana
honest Southern gentleman Time-servers may scout
such views as those of an mpracticable visionary !;
those who have axes to grind at the Radical grndsone
may scof, but the dsapprobation of such men is
robe of honor and their reyings source of selgratu
ation.
We have been betrayed into this TRADE by two
causes. In the first place we learn that our remarks
in previous issues touching the politics OF Bossier were
not entirely approved of by "a few-and we are glad
to know only few-of our good friends in that
parish. In the second place, intend to say some
~ and Ue hone
remarks will be an apology for the past and expana
ton Of the future
There lies before us address to the voters OF the
Senatorial District composed Of the parishes OF Bossier
Claiborne and Bienvile, written by Mr.. John W. Todd
who therein announces himself an independent cand
date for the State Senate in said district in opposition
to Capt s. NJ Thomas, who was fairly and unanimously
and when we say unanimously we mean it literally
nominated by regular Democratic convention, in
which the three parishes fully represented In
this address no doubt is expressed of the peculiar fit
ness of Captain Thomas for the position-nor with
truth could there be- No reflection is cast upon bis
private character or political record-nor with truth
could there be- But the fimsy justification for this
act of dsorganzaton at time when the interests of
the State are stake s torsooth the groundess as
sumption that Capt Thomas would favor the closing of
Willow Chute and thereby injure the navigation of
Lake Bisteneau This is the sole ground for his oppo
sition-the only plank in his platform And this plank
is cruelty knocked from under him by Capt. Thomas
by reply in which the following paragraphs:
At the time of my nomination proposals for bids had
been accepted and the work adjudcaed to P. j. Ken
nedv large levee contractor of the State. will
here say my convection with Willow Chute has arisen
from little pleasantly used to neighbor who is much
interested in the matter, and that in no manner
personally or pecunarlly benefited by its being closed
and that majority Of those citizens of Bossier parish
who urged my nomination are Indifferent, if not op-
posed, to the closing of said bayou.
The closing of it is work of the " Board of Public
Works" for which cannot be expected to be respon-
sible; and my power to close or prevent its being
closed is no greater than Mr.. Todds as it will be done
before the meeting of the next Legislature. do not
pretend to say that it will will not iDjure the navi-
CATION of Lake Bisteneau; but do sag that am not
pledged to- interested in the closing thereof any
statement to the contrary Notwithstanding.
We are not personally acquainted with Mr.. Todd,
but know him by repute to be gentleman of unques
tionabe integrity and connected by marriage with some
of the best and truest families in North Louisiana
And we can but believe that after this explanation
from the regular nominee of the party, he will with
draw from a contest that can in wise reflect credit
upon himself and may leopard the success of the party
of which he, by inference, claims to be member
He SAYS in his address that he is reluctant to be con
sdered disorganzer The sincerity of this assertion
will be tested by his future action. Captain Thomas
says: " If be true, certain Radical influences
had more to do with his candidacy than his assumption
that was in favor of closing Willow Chute"
For Mr. Todds sake and for the sake of his friends
we hope not for political afation with Lang Lewis
would damn saint.