The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-10-02
THE CONFUSION CONVENTION.

last SATURDAY, WHICH WIS 10 nave DeeH
a fusion convention of Democrats and
white leaguers, etc, turned out to be a
convention, of confusion. We shall not
attempt to report or describe it. All the
shorthand and descriptive reporters in
the world could not do it justice. Babel
and Bedlam united, and on a spree,
might give some idea of this convention
representing the intelligence, refinement
and patriotism of St. Landry but it is
without a parallel in the history of the
parish, A gentleman, recently become
IL resident Of the parish, said he had seen
both the WarmOth and Kellogg legisla-
lures, but he never saw anything to
equal this convention. Yelling, scream
ing, laughter and profanity were the
order of the day. That class OF gentle
men in it, who had been accustomed to
attending dignifed conventions in other
days, showed supreme disgust in their
c~Ountenances, and expressed themselves
accordingly. A large number consid-
cred it a huge monkey show, admission
free, and they took part with q VIM
They are not done laughing over it yet.
We shall not repeat OF describe some of
the scenes that occurred. The dramdtis
persona are an essential part for q full
appreciation of this political comedy,
and we do not wish to be PERSONAL
Shakspear lived at the wrong time. He
lost an opportunity to make his name
more celebrated and immortal than it
is; and Il political heroes of st. Ian
dry have missed the only master artist
who could do full justice to their " fam
tastic tricks" on the political stage
But the delegates of course will recount
them to their constituents in the differ
ent parts Of the parish, and the outside
world had better not know them.
The battle battle between the two
contending factions, Democrats and
white leaguers, began in the morning,
when the first step was taken to organ
ize the convention, and ragged fereely
until near sundOwn3 without accom-
plishing a single object for which the
convention had been called. The Dem
Ocrats defeated their opponents on a
square vote for president; but this, in
stead of restoring quiettandr order, adj
ded fury to the contest The Democrats
gained another victory in the report of
the committee on credentials, embracing
several white leaguers; and this only
increased the vim and pluck of the
leagiers. They made a gallant fight,
with the majority against them. Finally,
towards the close of the day, the con-
tending factions separated, the Demo-
Gratis r~e-occupying their old station in
the lower story of the Courthouse, and
the white leaguers their old stand up
stairs. "5 u tG. $3.50 q
Before the division some of the dis
gusted delegates quit, and some went
home. After the division others did
likewise. The action Of the Democratic
wing will appear from the proceedings
which we publish. The white league
wing nominated for the legislature, E.
A. Carmouche, d. b. Tarlton, Laurent
Dupre and Yves Vidrine-though the
report was circulated that NJ. D. Kava-
naghwas nominated andnot Mr.. Vidrine,
and all have not yet got the correct re-
port. They nominated for Parish Judge,
Willis Prescott; for Police Jurors, Ho-
mer Durio, j. Stoddard Haw, 7. S. Fon-
tenot, VIM. Clayier and -- Guidry.
For Sheriff they made no nomination,
though, it was thought Mr.. Alc6e Dupr6
would have received it if one had been
made.e The elements on this point were
too diseordaHt to risk a nomination.
The f~ree-lancers who operated In and
between the two conventions, were one
of the peculiar features of this unpre-
cedented affair. Voting ip both was no
harm, as they had been delegated to the
whole. hi .Fai, aattif X. tyhf a
Viewing the whole affair, we are of
the same opinion expressed by n of
the delegates; nobody is bound by the
action of the convention as whole or
in parts. 1T was a failure all round. We
have always been opposed to conven-
tions; and this last, or two or three in
one day, has not changed u opinion.
Any spectator last Saturday, who did
not come to the conclusion that the pub
l~icinterests were subservientto personal
and party interests, mustibe u very poor
observer and have3'a very dull under
standing. We could publish things we
heard that would show this beyond all
doubt, and that would give a singular
back view to the faces. of some of the
patriots.