The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1878-03-22

party In the hour of success, causes us
to measure their present conduct by
their past. How these men got into
Office Is mystery to us, but it is fact
that the offices of the State are filled
and tho councils of the party Influenced
to q great extent by such men. During
the seventeen long and " cary years of
conflict they were unknown, either on
the field OF battle or in the political
arena. Their arms were never raised
to strike, their voices were never heard
in council, in the conflicts of war and
politics through which we have passed,
and can only conjecture that when
our success became assured these men
worked for Office while other men
worked for the cause, and rode into
Office with the triumph of the cause.
Nor would their presence and influence
in the councils Of the party now be
worthy of notice, except that a skulker
once is skulker always. The selfish
timidity which has characterized the
conduct of these men for SO many years
still marks it, and if unchecked may
cause us to lose the fruits of our hard
won victory.
do not know that a mans conduct
during a war which ended twelve
years ago should be a matter Of any
consequence, except in so far as it is an
index to his character, but it is fact
which we all recognize and admit that
the war offered the best standard which
this country has ever had by which to
measure mems characters, and if one
did not do his duty then he is not
likely to do it hereafter. 1t is the
timid, selfish, vacilIating character of
such men which makes them danger
Gus in the councils of a party.
1t is true that there appeared to be
in 1876 a demand for men who had or
were supposed to have influence with
Republicans and negroes, as if it were
possible, with our representative in
situations, for honest men to have in
fiuence with thieves, or for men of
culture and refinement to represent
ignorant and debased constituents, but
as all know very well that, although
some timid and selfish men turned
this idiosyncracy to their advantage,
our success was due altogether to our
own courage and determination.
Our duty to ourselves and to the
State is to maintain the ascenlency Of
the white race, and while securing to
the negroes the full enjoyment Of all
their rights of person and property, to
! protect ourselves and them from the
evils which are sure to attend Il debas-
! ed suffrage. In doing this we have to
guard carefully against the designs of
selfish and intriguing politicians, and
the efforts of demagogues, whether
Democrats or Republicans. I feel no
hesitancy in saying that these are the
influences which have predominated ut
the late session of the General Assem-
bly,, and that such influences, if I'M
checked, well sooner or later cause US
to lose tho fruits of our victory by the
substitution of one class of denagogues
for another.
In ordinary times the ways of pro-
fessional politicians would afford
amusement to the philosophical Oh
server, but in these times, with a pop
uiation ever ready to fall a prey to
their designs, they are fraught with
danger, and it is our duty to guard
ourselves carefully against the intrigues
of money sharks and tho timidity and
| vacillation of skulkers. 1t behooves us
to see that the next Legislature is COM
posed of men true and tried, with the
ability to comprehend and the courage
to execute the wishes of their constit-
| uents. Your obedient servant,
WADE II. YOUNG.
| M 90 I AN ACT