The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-06-07
E
The Battle Over.
From the Crescent CitY.l

WIDE difference between an honest and
a dishonest man. That difference it is
our purpose to recognize, and under all
circumstances to give a warm and effec-
tive support to the honest man by what
ever name he is known. IT the hearts
Of the people could be carefully
searched, such would be found to be
the condition of the public mind.
For nearly one year this State has
management of men who live by the
trade Of politics. To gain and keep
| control of the public mind, has been
with them the objective point, and all
appliances that the wisdom of serpents
could invent to work up the public
pulse to fever heat, have been freely
used. We speak OF politicians on both
sides of the matters lately and still in
controversy. They have all courted ex-
element and tumult, and all are res
pOnsible in a greater or less degree for
the, rOWdyism, robbery and murder
which blackens the escutcheon of the
State.
Looking at events from a standpoint
of political isolation, where neither pre-
JUDGE nor passion have entered to
blind the eyes of judgement, we have
not been disposed to regard Mr.. Nc
Emery, who, for the nonce, is styled
Governor, as personally disposed to do
aught that would be calculated to dam
age his own fame, the fame Of the State,
or the commercial welfare Of the peO-
pie. A plain man, of fair ability, with
rural virtues, he is like the man who
went down to Damascus and fell among
the thieves. The truth is, he fell into
the hands of incompetent and corrupt
advisers, and through them, what might
have been a winning cause, if managed
with skill and foresight, has been ire
trievably lost. The policy Of lofty and
dignifed protest, and of earnest, con-
scientious and truthful appeal to the
Just judgment of the people and Con-
gress, has, under the management of
mere dwellings, been allowed to de-
generate into personal vituperation,
street riots, the robbery of private
property, attempted assassination of
political opponents, and the wholesale
massacre of citizens who, however
wrong they may have been in their con-
duct, were certainly actuated by as
honest and honorable motives as their
opponents. The Attakapas uprising
what was it? 1t originated in the
most shallow conception of the evil
complained against, and of the proper
remedies to be adOpted to cure that
evil. It was in keeping with the Grant
parish massacre, the sacking of stores
and the ATTEMPTED assassination of
Kellogg. All Of these measures of law
less resistance have. recOiled upon their
have been successfully used by interes-
ted politicians at the North to stamp
Louisiana as being in a condition re-
curing the strong arm of the nation to
preserve the public peace, and prevent
her people from OverthfOWing, not the
forms, but the underlying principles of
government. -
The rapid spread of this sentiment
at the North is not only manifested by
the tone of the Northern press, but it is
demonstrated in private correspondence
received in this city. Letters have
been shown to the writer of this from
individuals residing at the North, ex-
pressing great alarm for the personal
safety of their friends residing in this
city. What a reputation is that for a
city to have abroad; and how can we
expect to prosper politically, or COM
mercially, under such circumstances?
To prove the absolute truth of these
assertions it is Onlyanecessary to cite
the proclamation of the President COM
1mandfng the peopleof this State to alb
stain from violence and to return to
their homes and peaceful avocations.
1t is, not possible that the President
would have issued such a proclamation
as that, unless he believed the condition
of affairs In this State required it; nor
would he have done SO unless he be-
lieved the great aggregate fthe nation
agreed with him in that opinion. @
We have been led into the indulgence
of these remarks by the statement,
which seems to be well authenticated,
that Governor McEnery has at last seen
through the shabby tricks of the blund-I
iering iugglers who have surrounded
him and given direction to his course,
and resolved to give over the contest
into which he has been misled. It is
now understood that he will return to
the practice of his profession in the
parish of Ouaehta where he has been
SO long, SO well, and so fayOrably
known as a citizen and a lawyer. This
practically ends the contest between
him and Mr.. Kellogg as to which is the
actual Or4de fGctO Governor of the State,
md RENTS the whole question to the
halls of Congress. This course of Gov
ernorM cEnery, if carried into execution,
and there seems to he no doubt but that !
it will be, is founded in good Judgment
and q patriotic regard for public tran
guilty, in which he will be supported
BY all non-partizans and right thinking
men.
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