The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1874-08-15

From this date, the control of the editoria
columns of the COURIER passes into the hand
Of the White League. The business depart
ment remains under my control
Opelousas, May 25th, 1874.
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We endorse entirely the address of the Com
mittee of Seventy, which will be found in an
other column, and hope that the people o
every Parish will assemble in mass meetings
TO send delegates to the Baton Rouge Conven
tion. Though called by the Democratic State
Committee as Democratic Convention if the
people of the different Parishes avail them
gelves of the comprehensive invitation extend
ed to them by the State Committee and re-
commended by the Committee of Seventy, it
will be peoples Convention, fully entitled to
represent their wishes in the campaign, and il
such be the character of the Convention, we
shall abide by its action and heartily support
whatever name or policy it may adopt.
We do not think the battle can he won Oh
old party lines and under old party names, but
II the Convention should decide otherwise we
shall feel it duty to yield our Judgment IN
the matter. In all the calls we have seen in
other Parishes, all conservative voters with
out reference to past party affiliations have
been urged to participate in tho election of
delegates to this Convention, and fair oppor-
tunity given for free, full and fair expression
of opinion.
In this Parish, however, different course
has been pursued, and according to the terms
Al, -, "
mittee, none are invited except democrats.
No mass meeting has been called at all, but q
Convention of delegates elected By ward meet
ings in which none but democrats have been
invited to participate.
We regret exceedingly that the Parish Com
mittee did not pursue the same catholic course
as that adopted in other Parishes.
The White League, though not invited by
the Parish Committee, consider themselves in
vited by the State Committee, and they have
called a White League Convention for the
same day selected by the Democratic Com
mittee for their Convention, to-wit: the 18th
inst, said Convention to decide for tho White
League what it shall do. They will doubtless
propose to join the Democratic Convention in
the election Of delegates, and if this be reject
ed, they will in our Judgment send delegates
for themselves.
Tho Baton Rouge Convention was designed
By tho State Committee to represent all con-
servatiVes in the State without regard to party
affiliations, and we have no fear but that our
voice will be heard in the Convention even if
we should be forced to send q separate dele
CATION. We sincerely deprecate such con-
hngency, and hope that the tive Conventions
Willharmonize in this important matter. After
oil, We are inclined to think that the two Con
ventions could best harmoaize by declining to
send delegates, and instead thereof, issue a
joint call for mass meeting inviting all in
accordance with the terms Of the Democratic
State Committee for the purpose Of selecting
Che delegates. The time would be short, but
still sufficient, if the proper effort be made, to
assemble representative body.
We would urge upon the people the neces-
sity of attending the meeting to-day at the
Court House. The matters to be discussed
vitality affect every man, woman and child in
the parish. We have already called the at
tention Of the people to some of the obnoxious
features of the new registration law lately
promulgated by our Illinois despot, Mr.. Kel-
logg. 1t will not do for Hberty-loving peo-
Pic to say that they can do nothing. Cowards !:
Will do nothing, but brave men do not fear to
40 and dare many things in defense of their :
rights. This law is designed as an instrument
q fraud from beginning to end, and we all
know enough of our Radical rulers to be GER
tain that they will use this law to perpetuate
sheir power, right or wrong, unless the peo-
pie come together and make some effort to :
prevent it. This law and the election laws !
Will be fully explained on that occasion by !
competent speakers, and all are earnestly in
yited to come. Measures will be proposed
Tor their adoption, which, it is hoped, will &C.
cure q fair registration and election.
Again we urge the people to come and let US
eonsult together ON this important subject.
sM~~
There will be White League meeting at !
Vile Plate on Thursday, August Goth; at
Chataignier at T. S. Fontenot's store ON the
29d; at Trahan's store on the 22d; Grand CO.
teau on the 29th, and Atchafalaya on the Goth
inst. Speakers win be present at each of these
place8 TO aNQFesS tn6 people III beAhA VI INC
White League, in both languages if needed
The Radical Convention recently in session
In New Orleans has made the following nomi-
natioHs: For State Treasurer, A. Dubuclct;
For Congress-lst District, j. II. Sypher; ID
Dist, II. C. Dibble; Sd Dist, c. B. Darrali;
fth Dist, Geo. L. Smith; 5th Dist, Frank
EOrey: 9Th Dist C. r. Nash
special meeting of the Opelousas White
League Club viii take place this evening at u
o'clock. A full attendance desired for the dis
laech Of important business. EFT LEWIS,
President
HhG Call for tine Alexandria
Convention Withdrawn.
AcEIoE OF THE COMMITTEES OF SEVENTY.
shreveport Times, August ~
i y lmsonday We received dispatch from New
80 ssslsaAss which was accideptly omitted in our
1u1teFHAy'g iEstIa stating that the lfmncrs- !