The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1872-11-02
~C0NpusION IN CAN'T.

Even at this the eleventh hOur-when,
if euer, there should be union, at a meet
ing of the ReferrneFs in New Orleans on
the night Of the 25th Oct, changes
we're made n the ticket, and the name
Of Gen. Beauregard substituted for
that of Mr.. Burke the regular nominee
for Administrator of Improvements on
the Democratic and Liberal ticket.
But a few days remain before
the momentous decision of the ballot
box, and yet with full knowledge that
all these little splits only tend to swell
a Republican majority, confusion worse
COMPOUNDED prevails in the ranks.
Never was a campaign carried on an
der more discordant influences. The
loudest believers for Reform seem to
be those who throw most impediments
in its way. The most untiring seekers
who ferret out the " ways that are dark,
and tricks that are vain" of corrupt
politicians, and office-holders, seem to
urge remedial agents, whom the pOpu-
lar voice rejects and squabbles over,
and gets terribly wrathy. Popular
voice" then proposes some other candi-
date, which some other Popular voice
(for this same voice multiplies exceed
ingly over the sland) sends to Hades.
We are In the midst of a Babel of
opinions and utterances, where no man
seems to understand, or care to under
stand his fellow. Each urges his right
to be heard, and to reform ON his own
hook according to his prejudices. Each
one is Juggling along his own little pri-
waite plank of safety instead of helping
to build a bridge strong enough to open
the chasm. All this independent ex-
preston of opinion and action does ad-
mirably well i'll the beginning of 9
campaign. 1t sits the chaf from the
wheat and gives men time to weigh
carefully, andchOose deliberately. But
this blowing at ono from the foul
quarters of the horizon at the present
stage of proceedings, will be very apt t.
do immense injury to the interests o.
the people of the State. .,
It strikes us that if common Interests
had been made the point d'appui,'
instead of special ones, there would no
havebe such a divergence of opinions
When a majority agreed in the amour
and quality of injury done the Stats
within late years, it seems reasonable
to suppose that the work of Reform
would have brought about united effior
instead of deafening clamor in which
no two voices seem to agree. Som,
personal prejudices or partialities woult
be sacrificed in view of an impending
danger, and men would not question
their likes and dislikes for individuals
but simply their capacity for the emer
gency. But this has not been the case
Even when two men are equal,
fit, there has been squabbling withou
end over them.
When an army is drawn up in battl
line it does not seem like good general
ship that the rank and file should b
engaged in little private fights. Ye
this is what is going on while the fate
full days are speeding away. twill 500
be too late for redress, and the capri
eious jagitators who are working thi
mischief, if it is done, will cry out, "
told you so.n
Al Republican form of Government j
q monstrously sublime sort of Thin
i'm good times and at a fair distance
But during it's periodical frenzy It re
minds us Of the swine of the Gadarene
rushing down the nearest precipic
without thought of what lies beneath