The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1872-07-06
We Protest
From the Iberrille South. !

From the Iberyille south.I
There never was time when the
property holders and taxpayers of this
State were more divided upon political
questions than the present. The action
Of both the Democratic and Reform Con-
ventiOns in New Orleans is to be deplor-
ed by the patriotic and uon- -office-seek
ing people of the State, and we regret
that the differences between these two
parties could not have been amieably
adjusted and unity of action had in
the coming election. From the birth of
the Reform party we saw that breach
had been made in the ranks of the white
people, which we always hoped was
only temporary, and we are free to ac-
knowledge that it was our firm cOnvic-
ton, that when the two Conventions
would assemble that mutual concessions
would be made and harmony and con-
cord would be the guiding spirits of
their deliberations. In that we have
been sadly disappointed. The end
reached being widening of the breach
aud the creation of q chasm over which
neither party can leap, and we believe
now that neither party viii attempt to
bridge Or use any effort to cross. The
suicidal course pursued by the old
stagers and whippers-in of the Demo
cratic party, to force nominations at a
time when so much discOrd and diVis-
ion prevailed, is deserving of a Fem0n-
STRANGE and d protest from those who
are wearied and sick of "dying in the
last ditch" And having been for TWEEN.
ty odd years a worker i'll the Democratic
party, and never having sought or ac-
cepted office at the hands of that organ
ization, laboring always with fealty and
obedience to the leaders and managers,
always sacrificing our private interests
to friends in the ranks of the party, and
yielding to party discipline, we have
then an undispnted right to enter our
protest against the action of the Demo-
cratic Convention.
That the nomination of a ticket at
this time was injudiciOus and unwise,
does not admit of u doubt, from the
fact that no platform was adopted and
no resolutions passed expressive of the
principles, objects, or intentions of the
party. The old rule that actuated the
Democracy in times past" principles,
not men, has been east aside and men
alone have been offered for the suffrage
of Democrats. As regards the gentle
men who compose the ticket we viii
say that one or two command our per-
sonal friendship and upon that score we
may perhaps vote for them, otherwise
We cannot give orr support to the
ticket.
Let it not be supposed that we have
deserted the Democratic ship and that
we intend to let her go down without
making an effort to save her. Gun
| Democracy is of too old a birth to be
weakened by the action of the weak
kneed and tender footed Democracy
of the present day. Place before us
platform of principles as are expressed
In the inaugural address of Thomas
Jefferson, and we viii take our position
in the front ranks and battle for the
cause. But when the words erpedieRcy
policy, and availability are the only
| WatchWords and principles that are tC
| guide our course of action, then we beg
leave to have our own views and eX-
very dangerous dog1nas of political
faith. 1t having been conceded thai
the Democratic party In this State eoulG
| not win by a straight out Democratic
fight, it was supposed as the part ol
q wise policy for us to unite first witt
| the Ref0rmers and secondly, with ont
/ or the othersof the Republican parties
for the purpose of obtaining an homes
| administration of State affairs, by thC
election OF pure men to Office -reseTy
ing to ourselves the right of supporting
the nominees of the Baltimore COnven
ton, which lis to assemble in July next
The Democratic and Reform COnven
tiOns assembled, no coalition was made
The Democratic Convention has mad,
nominations, adopted no platform
presented no fixed principles for us II
adyocate--in fact made a eomplet
failure. We demand q new deal.