The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1872-03-30

selves to the political fortunes of the |
enemy of their people.
This call for Convention is made |
in no strict party spirit, nor to main
tain or advocate the ascendency of po-
litical craftsmanship. AT a time when
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
&esolating Legislation of the past few
Years, when the poor man and the rich
man are alike made the victims of Leg
islative and Executive spoliation, when
the absorbing question is that of taxa
ton, and the universal cry of the peo-
pie in Immediate redemption from local
and State misgovernmeni. the duty of
patriotic citizenship is to silence the
voice of mere party warfare. The
Democratic party being composed of
those whose material interests are
deeply and directly affected by misgov-
eminent is by the very fact of its exist
ence party Of reform. Its aim. its
purpose, it. spirit, its cardinal princi
pie, its platform, is reform. The vigor
of Its unceasing attacks againts corrup-
ton is the moving principle of its pO-
litical action. and il will mete out its
stern rebuke to all corrupt officials
whether they be Republicans or faith
less democrats. Its powerful organi-
cation can be efficiently used as an
agency to accomplish reform. 1t has
now vast political machinery. which
set in motion, will, as IL has done be-
fore. strike terror in the midst of the
present supporters IF a corrupt gov
eminent, and it comprises the active,
earnest, working and voting classes of
our people. The name in the ap-
preaching contest will be a mere sym
boil, its rullying cry and political motto
will he reform. for though the Demo
cratic party cherishes its time honured
princies and will pay due heed to 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, subordinsting Federal politics to
the redemption of our oppressed State
from local misrule. The necessity for
unity and harmony was never more i'm
perative than at this time. The Dem
ocratic party conscious Of its political
power and determined not to relinuuish
its responsible mission TO restore to
vhe people their rights of self govern
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 from 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 ascsr-
tnin the result. Every candidate,
Democratic or Republican, White or
colored. is entitle to the office 20 which
he has been elected by the p.opls.
Any section of the election law which
lsaTes to the discretion of board of in
diTiduals the power 20 change that re-
suit is revolutionary Units design, fts
operations and its purpose, and must
be treated by the people a, not upon
the statute book. II the Legislature
were TO pass = law that th.r. should be
no registration, no election. and that a
board of fire persons wa. appointed to
select your Governor, Representatives
and other officers, the people wsuld
hold an election and install their officers,
if need be by force, and their action
would be clearly legal. The same du-
~ devolves upon them now and they
will perform it. If Congress were to
pass law creating partisan Board to
throw out Of the count Presidential
Electors, would the people of the Unit
ed States permit that Board 20 exercise
its revolutionary functions Can a
Board or individual partisan discretion
supercede the constitution. tho people,
the State! This is not a question to
be determined by the court, but by the
people in the interest of popular liberty
and Republican government, otherwise
this corrupt government can perpetu-
ale itself in defiance of popular con
! demnation at the polls. This issue We
sought by our previous efforts to avert.
1t is now forced upon US and we 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 interests of the
State and the destiny of our people will
be deliberated upon and drcide ed and
the Convention will be charged with
inuagurating campaign upon whose
issue will depend the rescue If our lib
critics and the preservation of our pros.
iperity, the honor and pride Of our
State. We feel an abiding confidence
that the people will make a proper re-
Spouse and discharge this gh trust
with hdelity to their true interests.
Ii. ID. OGDEN.
l'res. Dem. State Central Committee
| THOMAS SrCEr