The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-07-24
TH1BODAUx La, July 18th, "A.
Editor Of Tlibodaux Sentinel:

that many friends have expressed to IN
the same wish and that | have declinet
so TODD. 1cOuld, under no circumstances
j become the candidate of the so-callet
Conservative Party for while | claim
to lie a conservative, in every DOlitica
sense of the word, my experience prove
to me that most Of those who proclaim
themselves such are radical in thei
wishes and ideas almost if not quite t,
the verge of being re~voluti0nists. Sucl
being my opinion, of the personnel o
the sO-called Conservative Party j
would be to say the least, highly indie
cOrOus to become the candidate of
party whose ideas | could not represen
and which OH the contrary ] shall OPP
pose at I'll times and in all places.
Permit me, Mr.. Editor, since you have
thus publicly called upon me, to trencl
upon your space and time so far as t.
express to my friends my firm deter
mipation to adhere to those politica
opinions which | have at all times OK.
pressed publicly and in private, since
have had anything to do with politics
The only change which has come oyel
me is as to the best method of carrying
out these ideas. 1t seems to me how,
ever, that others have changed and fOl
this change, though expecting none my.
self, | have the utmost charity. | grant
to all the fullest right to entertain such
opinions in public affairs us they think
will most cOnduce to the public welfare
and do not deem myself so perfect rs tC
be qualified to judge Of their motives
! much less to arrOgate to myself the po-
sitiOn of censor and denunciatOr. | be-
lieVe that alarge majority of our people
have really a sincere desire for the vel
fare not only of our State but of the whole
country, and that when differences exist
they arise from different views as to the
best al of securing this. My opin-
ions however, differ 30 widely, so radi-
cally from what | am given to under
friends, that | c0uld expect wen should
| desire to become q candidate, little
effective support from them. Not be-
ing a candidate now and believing that
there is little probability of my being SC
in the future, | desire to state how
| stand upon the political issues of the day
| do this with no vain idea of my per-
SOnal Importance nor OF the Importance
of these opinions but simply that my
friends ma know them and then relieve
me of any future opportunities to be-
come a candidate.
Were | elected to Congress | would
deem it My duty generally to support
the Administration of President Grant,
believing that by doing SO | could best
promote the interest of Louisiana and
the whole country. IcOuld be no blind
nor subservient supporter of any party
nor of any persons. Thus | would radi-
cally differ with the present administra-
ton upon it's financial policy-advOca-
ting expansion of the volume of curreD-
nv yra,rll a1cn o1rnoafn n pnriri1r nf
our tariff so as to do away with the pres
ent discrimination in faVorO of the manu-
facturer and against the producer, and
especially would urge legislation to pro-
tect the Sugar producing interest of
Louisiana.
| would urge the recognition of Cuban
independence, and if necessary to Sc
cure it, interference on the part of the
United States. I would advocate large
appropriations for Our Southern rivers
and especially for the Mississippi River,
it's mouths and levees. [ would persis-
tently urge, above all matters of this
kind, the Teparaticn by the United States
of the wrong done Our immediate neig-
bOrhood by theirOfficersi in destroyingthe
utility of the Bayou Lafourche and MAX
ing it, instead of a benefit, a source of
danger and destruction. e.
Believing that the general government
of the United States is the power. from
which we look for relief in all our trou-
bles and disasters Isll0uld advocate the
extension of the power OF Congress by
Constitutional amendment If need be.
I should if the question come up vote
for what is called the Civil Rights Bill.
cannot, Mr.. Editor, nor is there any
reason that l should now give my rea-
sons for the course | have thus marked
OUTPUT sufficient is said to show that,
not only would | not put myself in the
leading strings of the Democratic party,
but would in all things oppose its prin-
ciples if principles it have.
And here let me say Mr.. Editor that
it has always been a matter of surprise
to me, that Il people, with the political
sagacity which u people claim and are
possessed, should have chained itself as
q bondsman to a parry opposed to all of
the interests of our State and section.
With these expressions of sentiment
and opinion, which suppose may be
my political obituary, | believe
the present political contest to be on
Quoted by the real or self appointed
leaders of the people, trusting that like
most persons whose obituaries have been
written that may be lett in peace and
quiet for the future, promising however
that all of u e 1le shall at all times
have the beneht o. whatever abilities I
have, in whatever position they may
place me whichever I can SO serve them
without lowering me in my own opinion
and without being forced to advocate
or support parties which i
believe to be in opposition to all Of our
real interests.
With many thanks Mr.. Editor, for
your highly complimentary notice, and
the hope that / have not too far trespass-
edupon y0urspaeeand good Aatlre-Ire-
main. Very truly 3
Your obedient servant
TAYLOR BEATTIE.