The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1872-09-28
HON. B. r, CAN'T.

40 AO |N%AA OA+SS ~~
Democratic Reform ticket would give
him eight hundred votes, was erroneous.
VIZ beg leave to differ with Mr.. CAN'T
as to construction, but will change
the manner of putting it and say that
ace, not Mr.. CAN'T, estimate the strength
of the combined DemOcratic-RefOr
party i'll this parish at eight hundred
votes. And we make this estimate on
Mr.. Gantt's statement that the nominal
ton on their ticket would give him
eight hundred votes. We estimate the
strength of that party at the number
of votes that are pOlled for the entire
ticket, and not at the highest number
polled for individual candidates on it
who receive votes outside of the party
organization. No one belongs to the
party, whether they are Democrats in
to and recognize the authority of the
party organization, and who will not ac-
cept the ticket nominated by it in its
entirety and vote for each and every
candidate OF it. The number ofvOters,
each Individual of whom does this, con
stitutes the real numerical strength of
the party and if Mr.. CAN'T, being a
candidate nominated on that ticket, re-
ceives only eight hundred votes by vir-
tue Of that nomination, it can he truly
and justly said that he estimates the
strength of the party at eight hundred
votes, whether he was conscious or not
of making such estimate when he made
the statement.
We did not publish the matter to in
jure Mr.. CAN'T, and he ought to know
it. Mr.. CAN'T was hostile to the con-
ventiOn of 1870, and opposed to the con-
ventiOn being held that nominated him
at least he expressed himself that
way. And Judging him by his words,
we never imagined, dreaming or wax
ing, that he would take umbrage at any
thing we could publish that would ex-
pose the weakness of any party holding
a nominating convention in the parish
of St. Landry. We did not know that
he would object even to a little abuse of
such a party Or convention and we
were simply astounded when he in
formed us he did not like our cOnstruc-
ton and publication Of his estimate.
He said that he was opposed to the con-
vention and would not submit his name
to it; and further, that he would not
support the ticket even if he was nOmi-
mated on it. We understood that be
was outside the party, either by his own
v%OlitiOn, OF like one accommodated.
We are pretty certain that II of the
leaders of the party, who was defeated
in the convention for the place Mr..
CAN'T got, said that the latter had NO
right to it, for he was not a member
of the party, having bolted 1T the con-
yentiOn of 1870. In view Of these facts,
we repeat, we could not possibly sup
pose that MI. CAN'T would take excep-
tiOns to anything we might publish un-
favorable to any party holding a nomi.
mating convention in the parish of St
Landry.
In regard to Mr.. Gantt's name ap.
pearing in this paper, we wish to re,
mind him that it first appeared there
by his authority as a candidate, and il
will probably last appear there, while
this paper runs, when he ceases to bt
a candidate for the suffhrages of the PEG,
pie, and when he is not holding some
office as the servant of the people.
We have always treated Mr.. CAN'T
with the utmost Difference we have
never published anything intended tt
injure him politically or otherwise; but
publishers of newspapers have som,
privileges, and one of them is the liber.
ty to discuss public men and public
affairs. Mr.. CAN'T is a public man ant
the convention that nominated him wa
a public affair; we have the right t,
discuss both we did not discuss Mr.
CAN'T last Saturday, but merely men
toned his name incidentally, and h,
straightway asks us to publish a com
+ munication over his name, condemnins
+ us and ordering us to let the publication
of his name in our last issue be tn,
, first and last publication. If we ODE,
him, what will become Of his communi
cation? If we publish his communica
; ton, what shall we do with his name
Mr.. CAN'T ought to know that, bein,
a public man, he cannot keep his nam,
out Of the public press +; and still NOR,
ought he to know that if he could do il
a peremptory order is not the way b,
/ which it should be accomplished. I
he had made a simple request to tina
effect, without his censorious and die
tOrial communication, it would hav
afforded is much pleasure to gratif
I him. 3sa# ~
We stand ready to correct all errors
misrepresentation, and misstatement
: of facts; but If We were to exclude tn
! names of all people from our columns
we might just as well shut up shop, 70
newspapers are madeup almost entirel
of the names and actions of men an
) women and we do not know by wha
d right Mr.. CAN'T expects to be excuse
: from his share in making newspaper
= especially when 10 personalities are in
obliged in, and he does not suffer in tn
= loss of life, liberty or property,
Mr.. CAN'T is a public man; he lisa can
: didate for the Legislature, and no douf
Z expects to be elected but we sincerel
I hope that the congratulations of his M