The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1874-07-22
THE DEMOCRATIC ADDRESS.

tne DemOcTaI, mas Deeu SeAelally
read aud commented ON by our peo.
pie in various localities, and by q
few of the country Press, which has
reached US, and in almost every in.
stance, we regret exceedingly to
learn and perceive the earnest and
deep seated opposition to the place OF
holding such a Convention. There
is no Disgusting the fact, however
backing and approving the motives
of the Democratic Committee for
good and patriotic motives, that the
pressure and dissent are such, that
as we stated last week, the people of
four-ffths of the country P rishes
will not send delegates to New Or.
leans and are not going there. No
opinion of ours however favorable or
leaning to that Democratic Commit
tee, nor any of our Democratic i'm
pulses can have much weight against
this fact, nor is it necessary to en-
quire into or dilate upon the causes.
They exist, are brandished forth loud
and clear, and the people in their SOW
ereign will must be needed and lis
tened to; this is Democracy, our De-
mocracy, and for the moment we
must wait for the proper expression
of the proper will. The Mass Meet
ing on the 4th of August, will tell
the tale and tall for Rapides; that is
home rule, democratic States Rights
doctrine, and we must abide by it
and act accordingly. " Fl"
The Shreveport Times, sound and
orthodox Journal, and one which has
and is doing yeoman service for our
canse and its best success, in its is
sue of the 18th, is particularly severe
and plainly outspoken against the
,uhole action Of the Committee and
does not mince its words in giving
full expression to its feelings Of OPP
position, and winds up by ''emphati-
cally and promptly repudiating the
action of the Committee" and lays
this appeal before it's constituencies,
embracing the white people of a ma
jority Of the Parishes of North Lou
isiana. And in it's bill Of indict-
ments it is severely hard on the De-
mocracy of New Orleans and charges
them with many ugly things, in
this we do not, and cannot agree with
our contemporary, But on the contra
ry, must put in good word for New
Orleans, her white masses and her
democracy; and sincerely trust our
good opinion will never be forfeited.
The people of New Orleans have GER
tainly a big interest in the stake at
issue, have q clear majority of at
least $4,000 white voters, are taxed
proportionately three times as much
as the country people, have certainly
been oppressed little more, always
foot nearly all the bills of campaign
expenses, did more than ten times
their share of duty in the Colfax af-
fair, and are entitled to nearly one
fifth of the Legislature, which is a
big item in our having majority
therein, and last and though not
least, her merchants have always
come to the help and monied succor
of our planters and farmers. These
little "put ms" for New Orleans and
her democracy, for her whole white
population acknowledge fealty to that
National party, at this moment and
whilst we are consulting with our
Shreveport ally, should be duly con-
sidered and not passed over, and
above all should dull the point of
criticism against her. r;a
Our Shreveport contemporary fl
nally suggests ''that a State Conven
ton Of the white people of Louisiana
be held at Alexandria, in Rapides
parish, on the LIST day of September,
1874, for the purpose Of nominating
q candidate for State Treasurer, and
candidates for Congress, and for, the
more thorough and complete organi
cation of the people in this move
ment to redeem the State.'' The
Mass Meeting, called for the 4th Of
August in our Town, by and for the
white people of the Parish Of Ra-
pides, who are opposed to the present
and usurping dynasty of our State,
will be our answer to the last, for
among other important affairs they
will send delegates to State Con
vention, authorized to act for the
conservative masses opposed to Rad
ica1iSm