The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-05-24
yOur marty in this State9

your party in this State?
ThatassumptlOni sineorrect. Political
a~ntagonisms are always unavoidable in
the distribution Of political patronage.
These are oeeasioned by the excess of
patriots over positions; and as each re-
CARDS himself as the pillar of the party.
disappointment excites opposition. The
scurrilOus and unfoTnded aspersions
heaped upon President Grant, we're at
tributable to this. cause. The people,
cOmprehendlng the occasion of it, an
sWered his maligners by a triumphant
re-electlon. The citizens, having no
political interests to subserve, only
desire protection in their business, puf-
suits, and so long as the" duties OF Ex-
ecutive of this State shall be discharged
by me, they cal confidently rely, here
after upon security from violence and
protection from plumber. Upon those
who provoke a conflict, let the respon-
sibility rest. ~ ...~tts ~.
13. Do you suppose that "the boyn
who shot at you had a deliberate prIr-
pose, and that he will get at you again,
and that others will try theirhands who
are better shots2 IL .. -. -. .@t@ p
The person who shot at me was not q
boy, but @ a who had an interest in
taking my life. I believe that | know
who he was, and who his aiders and
abettors we're. Any man may be.mur-
de@ed by al assassin who shoots at him
from behind. -... .s. ~. y
IA. Do you suppose that soldiers and
police can protect you from determined
men? s..
know that the military power of the
State and the peace officers will be able
to quell any riotous demonstrations. AS
sasslns are rarely determined men but
are towards. ..s ...
10. DO you know that there are many
desperate men in the city, who are ruin
ed by the last four years, or who will be
ruined it the current taxes are collected
and the same style of plundering and
extraVagant Radical government con-
tinues. = IT,. ... 49,.
/ am not responsible for the burden
some taxation imposed by the late cor
rupt and eXtrayagant administration.
1t the taxes are not reduced and the
burdens Of the people lighted, it will
not be my fault, but the fault of such
men as continue to embarrass my ad-
ministration by defying the law, assault
ing officers, and. organizing violence;
and the fault OF those who co%untenance
and LII some instances openly advise
and applaud such murderous, riotous
and unlawful acts.
16. Do you believe that the Republic
can party represents a majority OF the
voters of this State?
Unquestionably. Indeed, I am fully
convinced that they possess at least
twenty thousand majority if permitted
to enjoy an honest expression of their
views through the ballot box.
H., Then why do you deny it to the
people-and would you and your assO-
ciates favor under any circumstances
a new election? =. ..:.......
When the contest was being PROSE
cuted last winter, several members of
the Fusion Legislature having ascer-
tanned that nc objection would be inter-
posed by me to a new election, conduct
ed under such authority as wouldinsure
It's fairness, desired me to refuse my as
sent to it. They were opposed to anew
election then. because suppose they
thought Mr.. McEnery would be recog-
nized as Governor, and that they would
thus gain control of the State. If nv
personal feelings only were consulted, I
do not desire to be Governor of Louisi-
ana. But believing that I was legally
elected, it is nay duty to continue to ex-I
ercise the functions of Chief Magistrate
OF the State until the party that elected
me shall decide, or Congress determine
to have q new election. In such an,
event, their decision will be promptly
accepted and cheerfully acquiesced in
by me. In expressing this opinion lean
OF course give only my own views, and
not those OF my associates. - -.