The Opelousas courier., 1872-05-04
The Shaping of the Contest.
[FrOm the y. 0. Bec.1

The contest for the administration of
the State Government for the next four
years begins to take shape. The devel-
opments made in the Democratic State
Convention which adjourned last Satur-
day, show the existence of a faction with
in the ranks Of the Democratic party,
whose object is to combine with Gov.
WarmOth and the sO-called Liberal Re
publicans in an attempt to carry the
election in November next. OF course
this means the perpet,ntion of Gov.
Warmoth'S power, and as a necessary
result the creation of a new party in
Louisiana, for we assume that Il large
majority of the Democratic party will
refuse to follow the triTnphal car of
that common enemy of our people. For
upwards of twelve months we have been
cognizant that this scheme was in pro-
cess of execution. Citizens, who have in
former times possessed the confidence
and aided in shaping the policy Of the
Democratic party of this State, have for
more than a year been industriously
engaged in educating the public mind to
the acceptance Of Gov. Warmoth as It's
future leader, and we now find the same
persons boldly proposing that he be nom
mated by che June convention as his
own successor. "
The argument employed by those men
in behalf of Gov. Warmoth is to our
minds of one very little force, but we
regret to say thatin some Of the country
parishes it has been more successful than
it oughl to have been. It is this that
as Gcv. Warmoth had the machinery of
the government in his hands, the appoint
ment of the Registrars and Commissioners
of Election and the counting of the votes,
it was useless to resist his power. We
were told that the Governor could be
"utilized"-that he was willing to exer-
else his power in such a way as to give
the white people of the State the control
Of their affairs and keep the colored pop
ulation in the back ground-that as fast
as vacancies occurred in the different
offices throughout the State he wonld
appoint those persons who might be
recommended to him by the individuals
who were willing to unite with him in
his plan. Undoubtedly this was tempt
ing offer, and in the circumstances in
which the people of this State were
placed it is not to be wondered at that
some honest, although unrehecting, citi-
zens were weak enough to take the bait
thus offered. But we have right to be
surprised that old and, as we believed,
staunch Democrats should have been will
ling to entertain the proposals and trust
to the promises of the man who is so un-
trustworthy and who has done so much
to impoverish the State and debauch her
citizens. We are told that the bargain
has been made and that if it be inexpe-
dient to place Gov. Warmoth at the head
of the ticket, he will be sent to the Sen
ate of the United States and a Warmoth
Democrat nominated for Governor 10
his stead. We are told that it is useless
to resist this combination and that if we
shall be audacious enough to attempt it.
we shall be 'crushed.' Well, we shall
oppose with all our might and main this
wicked scheme and comfort ourselves
with the thought that threatened people
live long" 1t will perhaps be advisable
for those who make such threats to look
we'll to their own conduct for we are sat
isfed that association with Warmoth is
certain to damn any man in the estima-
tion of the people of Louisiana, however
distinguished he may be, who shall be
reckless enough to form AN alliance with
him. The individuals in New Orleans
who have taken up Gov. Warmoth as
thier. candidate for Governor, each and
all have a selfish end in view. They are
either holders of State securities, oceu-
pants of State offices, lessees of State
property or have some other method of
living upon the public. Such people are
always on the side of power. 1t may
become necessary to name the parties
who would thus betray into the hands
of most insatiate speculator and ad-
venturer the dearest rights and interests
of our population. We shall watch with
unceasing vigilance the progress of this
deeply laid plot.