The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1872-04-06
''PeOple's Reform'' Party.
New ORLEANS, March 26, 1877


The Picayune ask the Bee if the Demo-
cratic leaders in this State mediate an
eventual coalition with Governor War
moth, and in this mornings issue it
upbraids the Bee for its inability to
give information concerning the silent
metlitations of the Democratic party.
I can say that no coalition, of any kind
whatever, has been proposed by Gov.
WarmOth to either the State Central
or Parish Committee. They are prop
erly regarded as the authorized and
recognized the Democratic leaders, and
consequently, the question put by the
Picayune must be answered in the
negative.
And now, having gratitied the Curl
osity of your inquisitive contemporary, I
would respectfully request that journal
as the organ of the Reform party, to
answer the following interrogatories:
l. Do not the RefOrmers mediate a
collation. with the Custom House fac
ton of the Republican party?
,. Did not Mr.. I. N. Marks, (Who
the Picayune styles the acknowledged
champion and exponent of the Reform
doctrines) when he declared his will
ingness to vote for Grant, echo the SEN
timents of his own party, and also
those Of the Presidents brother-in-law
Casey.
3. Have not propositions and over
lures OF compromise been exchanged
between the Custom House faction and
the Reformers.
Now, Mr.. Editor, I do not put these
questions in any malicious fault-finding
spirit, but the motives which prompt
ed some of the Jealous reforrners to
desert the Democratic army while pre-
fp,. h0x
suspected by many of our most thought
full and intelligent citizens. Indeed
their ill-timed movement looks very
much like q covert attempt to divide
the Democratic party on the eve of
great national election, and betray their
unsuspecting followers into the support
of Grant and the Custom House faction.
The declaration of principles put for
ward by the Reform Central Committee
is susceptible Of no other Interpretation.
1. While the Reform party advocates
the ignoring of Federal politics it's ac-
knowledged champions pledge them
selves to the support of Grant.
.. The earnest solicitude and love for
the colored man and brother, which
has so suddenly taken possession OF the
hearts and souls of the Reformers.
3. The equal division of the Offices
between the white and colored Reform
erS.
4. The fact that all the colored men
who have been invited to join in this
movement belong exclusively to the
Custom House faction, although a very
large number of their race are the firm
supporters of Gov. Warmoth.
The above reasons are sufficient to
arouse our suspicious and create vio-
lent presumption that the so-called
Reform movement is nothing more
than q clandestiac attempt by tho
friends Of Packard, Casey and Others
to foster treason in the Democratic
ranks and mislead some of our inexpe-
rienced young men into the support Of
Grant and social equality. l was told
by a prominent mclnbrr Of the Custom
House party, but q few days ago, that
the RefOrmerS were about to effect q
fusion with them, and that at the next
election all the members of the Reform
party would vote their ticket from
Grant down to Constable. He also stated
that the sentiments expressed by Mr..
Marks at the Third Ward Club were in
perfect harmony with the principles of
the Republican party, and that they
would cheerfully support MIR. Marks
for Office on their ticket. While Il large
majority Of the Reformers are no doubt
sincere in their convictions, we would
caution them to watch the movements
of some of their most earnest advocates.
Why was the day fixed for the as
sembling Of their State Convention
postponed: Was it not because they
wished to see what the Republicans
would do and shape their action accord
ing1y. Other reasons may be assigned,
but was not this the controlling motive.
Those who are familiar with the in
side workings Of political parties know
that the more skillful and experienced
politicians frequently form rings i'll
their party, whose object is to control
and direct the policy of the organiza-
ton. We every day witness new cvi-
dcnces that such Il ring is now nanipu-
Iating the affairs Of the Rcformers
unknown to many of their active sup
portcrs.
"NIadam,' said Il husband to his
young wife in Il little alteration which
will spring up in the bcst-regulated
families, "whcn a man and his wife
have Quarrclcd and each considers the
other at fault, which of the two ought
to advance toward Il reconciliation ?''
''The bcst-naturcd and wisest Of the
two," said the wife, putting up her