The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-09-27
PARTIES AID PARTY LINES.

mas Deen cnaTacLefistiC vi ali IuIHh-
ing men in free countries, where the
greas questions that divide the pee
pie are arbitrated at the ballot box.
III al the States Of the North there
are bat two, the Democratic and Re.
publican parties, aud the gigantic
struggle now going on there is being
foaght between these two.
In Louisiana, since the war, We
have had e variety of parties in OPP
position to radicalism,, which has
been uniformly the same, and has
always presented to US an unchanged
front and little diversity Of principles
or practices. The Reform, Liberal
White Mans and Conservative par
lies have each had its day and run
its short course. With q commend
able discretion and wisdom, worthy
of all applause, the State Central
Committee, in it5 call for the Con-
sention at Baton Rouge in 1874.
made it embrace "all the elements Of
ths people opposed 10 the corrupt
rule Of Radicalisw III Louisiana"
and all these elements we're repre-
scented shers. Patriotism and an
honest desire to subserve the best
interests OF our downtrodden State
were the prevailing sentiments there,
and the result vas that all those
conflicting elements we're cemented
sogethes and chrystalize6 into one
solid, compact party, with the name
Democratic Conservative, " h ie b
achieved more OF success than has
been our portion since reconstfuc-
! Sion.
The late State Convention vas
called undes the same auspices and
gave as confessedly the best State
ticket we have had since We COM
menced the struggle for the regenet-
alton Of Louisiana and the purifica-
tion Of he's public affairs, and We are
surprised and ehagrined that the
success of that ticket should be irn-
periied by the lust and greed fos the
spoils Of office chat have shown
themselves not only in this, hat in
other Parishes o. this State. The
party and its interests--the State
and her sacred cause. have both been
ignored and recklessly disregafded
in 3 disgraceful, shameful and un-
manly scramble for Office. Our New
Orleans exchanges last week gave us
the details Of the grab game being
played there for the Parish offices;
in St. Landry is to be seen the same
state of affairs and in the Florida
Parishes we learn chat the iadepend.
enr fever has broken out with some
virulence. We are in Rapldes suffer.
ing from All epideu.ic Of independent
and endorsed candidates for office,
bus il fortunately happens for as
that shey nave only che power to
sfaughte, themselves and shas they
strengthen rather shap weaken, our
regular sicket. Ous success in 1874
developed shis greed and brought
ous in full force shis army Of camp
followers who we're not then 10 the
fight, bus who cow rush 10 The front
where the plundes 10.
The safe, conservative and wise
maxim shaa the 'toffice should seek
the man, and Aot the mar she office
has been cost sighs OF sot this once.
but anless we are more mistaken
than We have ever been, the people
will semembes IL whea hhey come
agair TO select sheir standard beas-
ers, and they will give the iadepend.
ent ones such proof OF theis indig
nation this time, that they will Hai,
another time for an invitation.
This Office fever, il not properly
treated at the start, will finally at.
tack the vital organs of our party
and turn ous beloved State, q help
less victim. over tc the tender mer.
cies of radicalism. It strikes at the
very life blood Of the party and che
party must in self defense draw close
its lines and leave all those outside
who do not choose to come within
and avail! themselves of its protec
ton and support. Its leaders are a
the head of it's columns and all who
fight its leaders fight it. 1t make:
but little difference whether the 70,
wears the uniform and fights unde
the flag of its sworn enemy or bush
whacks between t he lines. Thu
bushwhackers and the enemy have /.
common purpose, our defeat, and by