The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-10-18
DISTINCTION WITHOUT A DIFF
FERENCE.

We have last word to say to the
gentlemen who have professedly as
sumed an independent candidacy for
office, but who have in reality lent
their names and whatever influence
they may possess to the aid and as
sistance of the radical party in this
parish, and if hereafter we speak Of
them as our duty may prompt us to
do, it will not be our fault. What
we say now is meant in kindness.
Their names have now for some
weeks been published on the regular
republican ticket in the republican
organ. It's columns have been devo-
ted to their praise and almost exclu
sively to the advocacy Of their cleo
ton; and when George Kelso comes
up and "sends out couriers to every
nook and corner of this parish'' to
distribute radical tickets, we presume
that their names will be on them also.
In all candor and soberness Of
Thought we ask them what return
they are making or are to make to
that party for all this display of in
terest in their behalf2 Is that party
doing all this for you gratuitously
and without hope of reward? Have
they set the festive board and given
you the places Of honor at the feast
for no other reason than to have the
pleasure of your company? Do you
grace their table as invited guests, or
has the fatted calf been killed in
welcome to the prodigal son?
An independent who fills the va
cant place of party nominee, an in
dependent who is to derive his
strength exclusively from one party,
an independent whose only opponent
is the regular nominee of another
party, is an anomoly, a paradox and
an impossibility. An independent
who is endorsed by one party in its
J, Conventions and is opposed by the
other party at the ballot box, loses
his independence, and to ask the
people to believe that he is independ-
ent, and not Of the party that adopts
, him as their own, is to ask them to
make distinction without differ
ence. The Bible tells US that where
a mans treasure is there also will be
his heart. The encouragement ex-
tended by the one side and the oppo-
!, sition made by the other will neces-
sarily enlist their feelings and SYM
pathies with the side to which they
must look for success, and be they
? ever SO ardent supporters Of our
, National and State tickets, they will
cease to regard their defeat as Ca
lamity, and will find it difficult to sup
press their satisfaction at the success
of the whole ticket upon which they
were elected, if they should be. Nor
will either Tilden or Nichols be
gratitied at the support of those who
have aided in the defeat of the local
candidates upon the ticket with
them.
The most that can be said for
them is that they are in bad compa.
ny, and as the world judges man
by the company he keeps, and is apt
to think that he is no better than his
associates, upon the strength of the
maxim that "Pares comparibus con
gregantur," they must expect no bet
ter treatment than was accorded poor
dog Tray, when he was found in bad
company. Should their fellow citi
1 zens hereafter remember their pres
ent attitude toward them and pass
! the judgment upon them that theil
greed for Office ran away with theil
patriotism and consumed their desire
. for the respectful consideration Of
> their neighbors and friends, it vii
F. not be for want of d timely warning
on our part.
--~~~-.~1~..~~~-~~
The Radicals here may as vel
s know that we are cognizant Of ou
I. rights and our voting strength, ant
s we mean to exercise them to the very
i letter Of the law. We feel equal tt
r the task Of maintaining them, ant
t all their buster, lies and contempt
}. BILE lodges don't scare us a continen
l. tai persimmon. We are wide awak
I, to all their bloated schemes, are hour
r. ly posted and are ready for the fight
J We have the numbers, we have th
h will, and intend to defeat thei
i jambaiaya ticket from top to bot
D tom by round majority and def
b them and their Cheating Board t
Z. once more swindle Ms. We are /