The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1872-03-16

Democratic constituencies, allied them
selves to the political fortunes of the
enemy of their people.
This call for Convention is made
in no strict party spirit, nor 10 main
tain or advocate the sscendencysgfpo -
litical partisanship. AT timed wien |
the material interests of the State have |
been made the object Of Legislature
and Executive robbery, when every |
household in the State is afflicted by |
the ruin which has resulted from the |
desOlating Legislation of the past few
years, when the poor man and tn, rich |
man are alike made the victims OF Leg
is!ative end Executive spoliation. when |
the absorbing question i that of taxa
ton, and the universal cry of thu peo-
pie in immediate redemption from local
and State misgovernment, the duty of
patriotic citizenship is 10 silence. the
voice of mere party warfare The
Democratic party being composed of
those whose material interests are
deeply and directly affected by nlisgov-
eminent is by the very tact of its exist
ence party of reform. Its aim, its
purpose, its spirit, its cardinal princi
pie, its platform, is reform. The yigor
of It's unceasing attacks againts eorrup-
ton is the moving principle of It's po-
litical action. and it will mete out its
stern rebuke to all corrupt officials
whether they be Republicans OF faith
less democrats. Its powerful organi-
cation can be efficiently used as an
agency to accomplish reform. Ii has
now vast political machinery. which
set in motion, will. as it has done be.
fore, strike terror in tho midst of the
present supporters of a corrupt gov
ernment, and il comprises the active,
earnest, working and voting Glasses of
our people. The name in the ap
preaching contest will be mers sym
boil, its rallying cry and political motto
will he reform, for though the Demo
cratic party cherishes its time honored
Princles and will pay due heed 10 ma
tional politics, it will appreciate its
duty to the people by urging them to
consider as the dominant issue the
overthrow of the present State govern
ment, subordinating Federal politics to
the redemption of our oppressed State
from local misrule. The necessity for
unity and harmony was never Irore i'm
perative than at this time. The Dem
ocratic party Conscious Of its political
power and determined not To rel.nuuish
its responsible mission to restore to
the people their rights of self-;;oyrrn-
ment will not hastily involve itself in
sudden or i'll advised political expert
ments, nor will the people accept the
suggestion of its dissolution rom a
party whose only record is its ill-timed
birth.
Upon one question of vital interest
to the people the Democratic party
will take & determined stand. After
registration and upon the casting of
votes, means will be adopted TO ascer-
trin the result. Every candidate,
Democratic or Republican, white or
colored, is entitle 10 the Office % which
ne has been elected by the people.
Any section of the election Law which
leaves 10 the discretion of board of in
dividuals the power to change that re-
suit ID revolutionary in its des On, its
operations and its purpose, and must
be treated by the people as not ucOn
the statute book. If tde Legislature
were to pass law that there should be
no registration, no election, an thai
board of i've persons was appointed to
select your Governor, Repres- atatives
and other officers, the people would
hold MI election and install their officers,
if need be by force, and their action
would be- clearly legal. The same du-
ty deyolves upon them now ard they
will perform it. If Congress were u
pass a law creating partisan 3oard to
throw out of the count Presidential
Electors, would the people of toe Unit
ed States permit that Board TO exercise
its revolutionary functions Can a
Board or individual partisan discretion
supercede the constitution. the people,
the State! This is not cue, zion to
be determined by the court, but By the
people in the interest of popula- liberty
and Republican government, Otherwise
this corrupt government can perpetu-
ale itself in defiance If popu ar CON
domination at the polls. This ssu. we
sought by our previous efforts 20 avert.
tits now forced upon Us and VS. accept
it.
We cannot too earnestly appeal to
the people TO send to the Convention
the best representatives they can Sc
lect. Questions of deep moment. af-
! fecting the material interest. of the
State and the destiny of our people will
be deliberated upon ard decided and
the Convention will b. charged with
inusguraiings campaign upon whose
issue will depend the rescue 81 our lib
critics and the preservation of cur pros.
perity, the b ,nor and pride of our
State. We feel an abiding CO 1fidence
that the people will make proper re-
Spouse aud discharge this high trust