Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1875-10-09
Packard Leonard Correspond
enrf.

The correspondence being toe
lengthy for us to publish in full we
copy below an editorial of the Shreve-
port Times, of the End inst, Oh the
subject. We agree with the Times
in placing no confidence in any Of the
Professions or oiled yes Of Mr. Packard
or any of his crew, We think that Mr..
Leonard gives expression 20 the same
sentiment in his reply 10 Packard
Z e object of lackard's letter and hi,
pariy's declaration Of principles was
evidently to z er into he Radical
Tod tie unsophis icaicd who still have
a Lingering antipa;hv of the name of
Democrat; but Mr.. Leonard shows
10 disposition to be- caught with such
light chali He is too sensible man
to be spft-soldercd in such manner,
we think. Here is what the Tiluco
-ays about the correspondence:
\ dispatch from New Orleans
" s'crday morning contained extracts
from a correspondence between 5. Il.
Packard, Chairman of he Radical
State Central Committee, and Hon
\. III. Leonard, Of this city. The
dispatch refers to Mr.. Leonard as
che editor of the Shreveport Times. "
7. This is an error. The names Of the
editors of the Shreveport Tlres, who
control its policy and politics, will be
found ut the head Of its editorial
columns, and they alone speak for it
Tie whole Of the correspondence
from which the extracts were taken
we print this morning at The request
of Mr.. Leonard himself. Iu brief. it
seems 10 Us to amount to about this.
Packard proposes TO reform, purify,
make honest the Radical party Of
Louisiana, and through its holy
mlniStrations reform the abuses which
curse the State and Cypress the people.
and invites men of Mr.. Lconard's
liberal views to join him in this
ben, licent work Mr.. Leonard replies
in substance that if this publication
is ACCOMPLISHED and the Radical party
shall undertake to repeal the registra-
ton and election laws and other
vicious legislation and enact measures
of relief demanded by the Stale, he
will cooperate with them in the good
work-as he will cooperate with all
parties aud persons who will lend
their exertionS to the redemption of
Louisiana. He further expresses the
hope that Packard himself will waive
all mere partisan considerations and
cooperate with those " no at the next
session of the Legislature will assured
ly work for the good of the State
This is hope we may all venture to
indulge without treason to the State
or recreancy 10 our records.
This seems to us to be about the
sum and substance Of the correspop.
dence so far. Mr.. Leonard informs US
that Packard has not yet replied to
his letter. Will he do so And
will be pledge the Radical Senate to
the repeal of the registration and
election laws and to the enactment of
other relief Legislation Mr.. l.. refers
to?
In bis letter Packard virtually con-
fesscs what the people of Louisiana
have charged for years-tLat his
party is utterly unf, to govern the
State; that it is corrupt, ignorant and
unworthy, and processes a desire 10
reform, and through it, repair the evil
1t has wrought. A talented and
influential leader among US steps
promptly to the front and offers to co.
operate with MIR. Packard and all
other men in the redemption of the
State, and suggests, as a beginning of
the good work, certain specific legisia-
ton at the assembling of the next
Legislature, necessary to freedom of
elections in, and the general prosperity
of the State.
MIR. Packard now must specifically
consent to repeal of the election and
registration laws and to the enactment
of other Legislation demanded by our
people or stand convicted Of false
professions.
What will Mr.. Packard do about
it i! For our part, we have no faith
in him nor bis party. We believe
that both are corrupt beyond redemp-
ton. And even were The impossibie
reformation accomplished, we should
still he against Mr. Packard and his
party, though we are free to say we
should then be ready to deal with
them as we would with any other
legitimate political opponents. How
ever, we are no believers in the re-.
formation of the Radical party, and
the course of the Shreveport Times
shall be toward it in the future lust
what it has been in the past.