The Caucasian. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1874-1875, 1874-07-25
The Attitude Of tho PaIishea

article on the latitude Of the Par.
ishes." The Pic has stated the ques-
ton plainly and truthfully, and the
sooner the New Orleans Democracy,
consider the question and rectify the
error made, the better, for the people
Of the country will not unite with
them, as matters now stand.
The question for New Orleans politicians
to consider now, appears to be something
like this: Can we save Louisiana without
the cooperation Of the parishes, or shall
we concede little to them and their
plainly expressed desires 1t has come to
this. There is no room for doubt that the
city and the country are, under existing
circumstances, utterly at variance with
each other, And the city must saddle;its
scheme of operations with the problem
here set forth.
We have watched the movements of the
parishes very closely from the first, land
the result which has at last revealed it.
self is only what might have reasonably
been expected. Had tho name of the DEM
ocratic party retained it's ancient magic
and the influence Of its leaders kept its
former strength; had it been possible to
to mass our armies by the Democratic call,
and lead them to battle under the Demo-
cratic banner; the White Leagues would
n yer have been formed. That organiza-
ton, inconsiderable here, perhaps, but
stern and powerful and resolute through
ont the country, is the practical expression
Of the peoples dlscontent and distrust. 1t
has sprung up from the ashes-not of the
party, perhaps, but Of its follies and its
failuress s. it demands another system of
control, a wiser theory OF action And the
logic Of events hasobrought about this
question which, as we have already said,
the politicians of New Orleans must now
consider.
The parishes demand hearing in the
councils Of Louisiana, and their demand
has SO far assumed the following shape:
]. We want Convention to assemble
outside Of New Orleans.
2. We want that Convention to be limi-
ted in numbers, SO that its personnel may
be select.
8. We want the country to enjoy an op-
portunity of making itself heard.
q We want the name and the policy of
the white mans party for the present cam
paign to be decided by tho Convention
thus assembled.
In other words-let those words seem
harsh and ungrateful if need be-the par
ishes are not willing to accept any plat
form in whose construction they have had
no part; they decline to adopt any leader
ship as to which they have not been con-
suited +; they have lost confidence in the
New Orleans Democracy as now represent
ed, and, to use popular vulgarism, they
want an'entirely new deal all around. In
stead ola convention called and controlled
by the Democracy, they ask for conven-
ton which shall decide whether the Dem
ocracy is to be an important or unimpor-
tant adjunct Of the common scheme. In |
stead of going as recruits to the Democrat
ic nucleus, they propose to meet as indie
pendent equals the recruits of other armies |
aud in council with them confer the name |
and shape the policy Of the conflict. |
There must be no foregone conclusions, no
cut and dried plans y; the campaign must
take Its RI SO under their auspices. and The |
cause OF sill the people go forth with the
peoples direct and legitimate benediction
1t were We most objectionable folly to
gnore all this. No one who views the
in focns one whit larger than
VIII hold bis own ward club can fail to
'ecognlze the immincnce and the solemn
" OF the crisis. The Democratic address
las evoked no response beyond the limits
II the city. The utterances of the conn
'ry press and people plainly indicate that
t will not, cannot evoke one. With one
hundred thousand white voters protesting
% cherish the same desire; with people
'ednced to snch straits of poverty and dis
that material relief has
ooned into grim and awful necessity !;
With hearts that beat in solemn nnison,
Ind hands that ask nothing but to be di
ected honestly and loyalty; with the SUI
IRENE moment of our destiny arrived. and
he perfection of our ruin awaiting us
beyond, we find ourselves dismembered
md dissevered-void of that identity Of
purpose and concentration of endeavor
without which no benefit can be attained,
10 step toward the light achieved AS
matters stand, there is widening breach
between those who should be shoulder to
heulder in the line. Something blinds
's, something dims the truth. and folly
freaks our efforts into fruitless parallels.
We are bowling briskly along that we'll
worm road which passes through the do
main Of dissension. and has its inevitable
erminus in defeat. We have travelled it
'efore. we recognize it's ancient and ia
niliar landmarks, and the foretaste of the
nd salutes us as we 60.
This question of the parishes is before
ou, gentlemen.
liver, WEATHER AND CROPS.
OscillatiOn..39.O 6.