The Opelousas courier., 1874-08-08


The following extract from tho Alexandria
Democrat, an old and consistent Democratic
journal, shows clearly the feeling of the peo-
pie In that section about the recent action of
the Democratic State Central Committee, in
calling Convention to meet in s,ew Orleans.
We know the editor personally, and can say
that we have never known him to be anything
but Democrat after the straightest sect.
When Democrats like him utter such senti-
ments as the following, other Democrats hav-
ing no better record should not treat them
with the contempt we occasionally see mani
tested by those who apparently want no vic
tory for the white people unless it be Demo
cratic victory.
Sound Democrats like the editor of the Dem
oerat readily see that victery for the white
people OF the State, under any name, is sub
stantially Democratic victory, aud that that
party would reap it's fruits.
There are periods in the history of every
people, when the necessities Of the State
should override all party ties and all personal
! considerations. Such crisis has undoubtedly
been reached in the history Of Louisiana.
Seven years of radical misrule have completed
the work of a devastating war; and to-day
il the bitter auimosities OF race, the suprema
cy of ignorance and corruption, and the con-
sequent subsection OF the honesty and intelli
gence of the country, we witness condition
of things as appalling as they must be repul-
sive to every true SON OF Louisiana.
! The aims of our adversaries cannot be mis-
/ taken, and unless checked by an united and
! determined opposition, must result in the
ruin and degradation of the white race Of
! Louisiana, by the establishment for all time
of negro supremacy. Appreciating the grayi-
ty OF the situation, and seeking only to arrest
so diretul fate, we, the undersigned citizens
of the Parish of Rapides, identified in the past
! with the movements of the Democratic Party,
and acknowledging still our allegiance to that
Party in all its natiouai and legitimate issues,
earnestly invite the cooperation of the con-
seryative classes throughout louisiana, III an
effort to overthrow the corrupt government,
| which now Oppresses our State.
| Believing that this can only be effected by
the harmonious and united action of all those
OF our people, who favor the rule of honesty
and intelligence, as opposed to that OF Igno-
rancea and corruption and believing further
that this union can only be secured by the
abandonment of old party lines, We demand
that the contest upon which we are about to
enter, shall be ina9gurated under a name as
broad and liberal as the cause it represents.
I The issues at stake are of far higher and
hOlier character than the success or triumph
| of any mere political organization. We are
!
| avert fate more dreadful than ever bcfell
q proud and high-spirited race, and in the
struggle which mnst follow, we ask that it be
made under banner beneath whose broad
folds, Democrats, independents, Liberals,
Conservatives, all alike may rally.
In a contest so holy and sacred, we cannot
afford to imperil its success by the introduc-
ton of any disorganizing elements. With
the experience of the past before us, it is i'm.
possible to ignore the serious dissensiens
| which would arise, if the contest was made
only under the Democratic banner, and by the
Democratic Party.
Believing this we deplore the recent action
I of the Central Committee of the Democratic
Party, in convoking State Convention of the
Democracy at New Orleans for the fourth
Monday Of August as most unfortunate, inju
dicious and ill-timed; and we depreeate fur
I ther their failure or refusal to recognize the
almost unanimous wish of the Country Pa
rishes, as expressed through their Press, te
/ hold the next Convention at some point out
side of and more central than New Orleans, az
an act of injustice to these Parishes, and Ont
not calculated to promote that harmony ana
good feeling absolutely necessary to success.