The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1871-04-01
"GASTRONOMICAL" DEMOCRACY.

Some time ago we reproduced, as an
tenn Of news, a communication to the \
New Orleans Bulletin descriptive of
some of the guests at q dinner given 4
during the winter, at the st. CharIesA
Hotel, by one Mr.. Howard, at which,
were present, mingling together, a mum.
Der Of Radicals and Democrats. Our
contemporary, the Vernon Standard, de-
INJURED gently to this commingling of
discorlant spirits, and doubted its pro-
priety on the part Of the Democrats
present, some of them from this section
of the State. The Standards objections
are thus noticed by the Claiborne Adj
vocate:
Now we never could discover how
any particular harm can arise from a
friendly interchange Of civilities with a
political adversary, nor see any result
ing good from carrying into social life,
the antiquities ofpolitics.
In the matter of dining we should be
governed moro by astronomical consi-
deratiolls than by those of a political
character; and should feel much more
solicitous what our hosts knowledge of
the culinary arts than his political Or
thodoxy.
This is not our quarrel, nor do we
come in to aid our friend Kidd, of the
Standard, for he is able and no doubt
will handle it with gloves off. But as
journalists, feeling n deep interest in
the final triumph Of the Democratic
party, we take the liberty of dissenting
from the above mild defense of what
we deem a wrong in the leaders of our
party. If this was an ordinary fight
between two parties, both desiring tho
good Of tho country at large, we might
see things differently; but when we
know that the Radical party is no
friend to this country, and so denounced
by those very leaders of our party, we
cannot understand the good to result
from close intimacy with that enemy.
Must we kiss the rod that Smites us :?
These leaders have told us, time and
again, that these men, with whom they
are having such joyful festivities, are
the worst enemies Of our country, and
if let alone will very soon bring our
State to bankruptcy and ruin. How
does this conport with these social din
ner parties? How are we to see these
things? How can wc reconcile tho in
consistencies?
| Now, there may be nothing in din
ner, except the enjoyment of friends
with each other. But how camc these
gentlemen to be such intimate friends I?
AS conductors Of Democratic journal
we are at loss how to act. Wcdo not
know how to interpret these things.
Must we conclude that they mean
nothing? If so, it would be best for all
if nothing of the kind should be. five
must conclude it means anything, we
go further, and conclude it means too
much. The great mass Of our people
do not understand these things, and our
leaders should remember that they are
not acting for themselves but for the
people, and are considered as lights for
their guidance. These things unex-
planned veil the party in mystery, and
we become doubtful of our party lead
! erS.
| Our fight is a plain, honest and open
one; and every man should so act that
no doubt is left as to his position We
hope there is nothing in these little
things, but we beg our leading men to
remember one thing that will stand to
the end of time: GA man is known by
tho company he keeps"
We are far from maintaining that Il
political opponent, ordinarily, is an I'M
suitable companion, but we do MAIN
tain that there is Il wide and impossible
gulf separating the Southern gentleman
of Democratic faith from the nigger-
loving, plundering, dissolutc and aban-
doncd followers of the Radical party
Pass that gulf, and the debascd opprcs-
sor of our people is elevated, or in pass
ing over to him you are lowered. With
his pockets plethOric with money
wrung from the people, social position
is all that he Graves. With our view of
the situation, this is all that the people
have to give, and for what are they ex-
pected to give it? We may live too
! much in the passive may be imprac-
ticable-but we cannot consent to see
the adventures, gamblers and cOnvictS
| who have outraged the State, elevated
to an equality with those who have
kept their faith pure and their garments
| untarnished. We would infinitely pre-
fer the salt and bread crust of the poor
est man in the State, if he were only
honest and true. These communions
are demoralizing and of evil tendency.
l. n Il Il.