The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-10-25
The Three Wise Men of Caddo.

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There have been SONS changes in
Caddo since Col williamson, some two
years ago, left there to seek exile from
the midst of friends who looked coldly
upon his apostacy to his people, and to
find in the tawdry glories of the Central
American Mission, a poor equivalent
for the services he gave the men and
the party he had formerly. SO vigorously
denounced. 81
We will not recount all the changes
Col. Williamson will meet in Caddo,
for the theme would not interest onr
readers in other sections of the State.
He will be most astonished, however,
we think, to find standing upon the
same platform with himself, Mr.. A. II.
Leonard, the Independent candidate for
the Legislature on the Radical. ticket,
and Mr.. Alec B0arman, the Radical
candidate for District Judge of the Cad
do District.
The meeting of these three gentle
men will be an interesting occasion,,
and doubtless the cities of Shreveport,
white and black who have known them
so many years, will contemplate the
tender and interesting reunion with con-
siderable amusement and curiosity.
These gentlemen have all been our
personal friends. When we first became
acquainted with them, we think there
tewere not three more; extreme men in
Louisiana; they were bitter, intolerant,
ferocious Democrats, hating Radicals
and Radicalism with a hatred that
surpassed understanding. Col. Will
Hanson was a member Of the Legisla-
ture in 1867, we believe, and voted
against the Fourteenth Amendment.
He was also the author Of the act ap-
prenticing negroes etc, at least he
voted for it. Indeed, lie was one of
the least reconstructed men in the
South. Mr. Leonard, the Independent
Radical candidate for the Legislature,
and Mr.. Boarman, the Radical candi->
date for Judge, were then younger aud
less conspicuous men. But what they
lacked in years and fame they made
up in ferocity. >,ay,.
Col. Williamson Topped in 1872.
Pacific Railroad attorneyships, United
States Scholarships, Gubernatorial
nominations, etc., were lying around
loose; and just at that time the Co.'s
onel Topped; became Grant man
got up in a Democratic meeting. and
proposed that the Caddo Democracy
should resolve that the National Dem-5
ocratic parry was dissolved. We all
thought up there, just then, that the
proposition was little cool and that
the enterprise was large one for the
parish of Caddo to undertake. Colo
mel Williamson thought differently,
and so withdrew from the party and
attempted to carry out the contract by
himself. He did not dissolve the Ma
tional Democratic party, but. he OBJ
tanned the appoIn .ment Of Minister to
the MOSQUITO bitten republics Of Gen.!
trail America, and that doubtless an
swered his purpose.
Messrs. Leonard and Boarman were
still savage in their Democracy, and
were largely instrumental in creating
so bitter feeling against Colonel Will
Hanson, that be seemed glad to escape
from Caddo and retire. to Central
America. 80 q - 3sN}N} IL
Our friend Boarman was the next
hero who struck his colors, bowed his
naughty crest and went over to the
enemy. "a
Mr.. Leonard held up tire banner of
savage patriotism longer than the
others. Indeed the ferocty of bis an
tagonism. to Radicalism increased in
intensity until he found himself III the
van of the famous campaign Of 1874.
4 There was a savageism in the .utteran-
ces of this gentleman in that canvass
which smote all timid hearts with con-
sternation. Even after the fury of the
contest had subsidized, he startled the
staid members of the Congressional
Committee out of their boots by the
aggressiveness of his views. A few
weeks and there came change. The
ardor of his temper seemed to suddenly
cool; "the flaming patriot who had late
~ scorched us in the meridian sank
temporarily to the West aud was
hardly felt as he descended" Mr.. A.
II Leonard became compromiser,
and now we find him an independent
Radical candidate for the Legislature
i And now these three gentlemen,
having Topped one by one, have met,
after years of separation, in Shreve-
. port, and are now all in harmony.
Yet, thank God, they have not, all Of
them combined, with their abilities,
personal popularity and prestige as
leaders, broken the solid line Of the
, Democracy Of old Caddo. They have
carried no following with them into
the camp Of the enemy 50
+ Z Three wise men of Gotham, IL.
, Went to sea in bowl, -,
If the bowl had been stronger
My tale had been longer. am