Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1872-10-12
The Issue In Louisiana.

After long and persistent efforts on
part of the Democracy in this State to
mould all the political elements OPP
posed to Radical Republican rule into
such shape as would aid the return OF
Democratic party to power, the result
has been to make the issue in Louisi-
ana in the present political contest
another trial of strength between the
RepL blican and Democratic parties.
Shortly after the meeting OF the
Cincinnati convention, and the nomi-
nation of Greeley and Brown as the
standard bearers of new party that
stood pledged, if successful, to correct
the ill-use old parties had made OF
political power, the prospect of the
| new movement in Louisiana was GER
tainly bright. This work, commenced
by Republicans OF no doubtful charact-
er, was understood to be in the in-
terest of the people, and directly OPP
posed to the manner in which the old
parties used authority when clothed
with it. The new party adopted a
platform that no Republican could OBJ
ject to, and selected as its candidates
President and Vice President two
noted Republicans; and to make it
still more clear that the new move
ment was not in any manner connect
ed with either of the old parties, it
was named the Liberal Republican
party. With this understanding,
large number of Republicans in Louisi-
ana stood ready to aid in the forma-
ton of branch of that party in this
State, but they have been driven from
this purpose by the conduct of the
radical Democrats. A few of these
men, acting in thename of the Demo
cratic party, have contrived to blast
tho prospects of the Liberal Republi-
can party in this State, and upon its
ruins would reinstate in power the
very party that has been so often re-
pudiated by the people since 1860
e The-success that intrigue and trickery
't have given the Democratic party il
u nominating conventions and commit
Ii tees pretending to be authorized tt
speak for the people will be of M
'r service to anybody, while to many
he especially the unfortunate candidates
'r it will prove a dead loss in the end
" 1t requires no great amount of pene
Oh tration to interpret correctly tn
~ political signs in this State at thi
er time. The political situation is ad
us mitted to be most unfavoIable to til
IL Democratic party. The following al
es ticle upon this subject, taken from til
ell Lafeusche Times, is pretty fair vie
mt of how parties stand, and how til
III contest is likely to terniinate.-lN.
= Republicans.
W. At the present time there is apparently
ity ominuus lull on the political ocean. III
IN, in Louisiana theirraase is hopeless.
ost The straight-out Republicans, who ha
, fought the Customhonse, arc now prepari
l reserve force to help the Baton Rouge non
,ho nees, Kellogg and Antoine, that will on
day of election, surprise even the most uli
md of the former Customhouse supporters.
nc Old Democratic cO0ns, who have been
40 the dark, are now bent on dragging ih
tly political coffins to the front for the funeral
CO.. November Yet for all this everything
IVA pears quiet upon the surface, and the gu
ton, "What's the nevis" ELECTS no respo
!, from the politician.
the But underneath the seeming caet is a v
aon army of Republicans at work, and the st
of Louisiana is being politically honcy-coI
'e a ed for Republican Governor. Men '
plI;. doubted Mr.. Kclloggs fitness for the gut
national chair are now constrained to
he'd knowledge that the choice lies between
,,e, Kellogg, who is with the Republican pal
A'Ai and the Confederate officer McEnery, a hs
the shell repudiating Democrat. There can
no hesitation in tho choice. kellogg will
honestly, and Antoine can not go back u
t;on his color. McEnery and the Democratic b
can receive no vote that is Republican,
!, re- no one can stay. away from the polls who ]
N to good Republican.
In this case every Republican vote n
mo- be cast for Kellogg and Antoine, and aga
Co.. the rebel officer McEnery.
But there is yet another force working
o. der this apparent calm which has not yet
~ - taken into account. We allnde to the {
'A"' talists and land holders. This large class
ltire aware that McEnery represents the Boul
Co. Democratic white mans class which is aly
iol trying to get up fuss. They know that
erlff Democrats; are opposed to railroads and
e.,,, posed to introduction of that labor con
iun with intelligence which enriehes and bull
the State. And they understand equally
that under the governorship of William
az Kellogg commerce would receive a new
) bar petus, labor would be paid, and peace
osed self Protection must vote for Grant and
logg: They mnst politically defeat the d
Gratis, and thus we find tina. although the
only an apparent quiet on thf surface, the
-, work underneath. Republicans never {
,ano0 They are not shouting out their affairs,
eace, understand that Louisiana must be ca