The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-01-09

distress claim every cline for their
home and every people for their kin
dred; and when persecution has
reared its hydra head high beyond
the lowering clouds, and lifted its
unruly cry above the roar of storms
and the din of mighty battles; when
the enemies of the Church have
massed their forces in martial array
and seek now as they often sought
before, to crush her out of existence
or to cripple her usefulness, then it
is time to draw closer the bonds that
bind church people together, and to
forge with hooks of steel the tie that
links the Congregation to its Pastor,
the Bishop and the Head of the
Church Militant, who sick and aftlic-
ted, still commands the respect and
admiration of the world. You are
with US Right Rev. Bishop at time
when we most need you to counsel
and sustain us, and while we prom
Use obedience and support, we shall
look to you for such kind offices as 1t
may be in your power to extend to US.
When we last gathered around
your immediate predecessor, Bishop
Martin, and listened to the tender
words of advice and admonition,
coming from generous heart we
knew to be full Of paternal love for
US as the flock under his care, and
overlooking with good will to all in
the broad world around us, and as we
watched his tottering steps at the
altar, and saw the silver hairs that
marked bis advanced age, we prayed
that be might be spared to US yet
many years Of usefulness and work
in the vineyard so much in need of
such holy laborers as he. When
"He who doeth all things wisely and
welp' called him from US, we mourn,
ed his loss, but felt that God who
does not permit even a sparrow to
fall unnoticed, would in his own good
time provide for our necessities as
He saw was best. Acting through
his Vice Regent on Earth, he has
sent you to supply his place and in
pursuance of the authority delegated
Ito me by these true anil faithful
Catholics In whose name and on
whose behalf I speak, I bid you vel
come! Welcome to our Church edi
fee as its spiritual ruler and guide!
Welcome to our hearts as worthy OF
the reverence and love that shall he
yours! And welcome to our homes
as the guest to whom it shall be our
pleasure and delight to pay homage
and respect.
| Bishop Leray responded briefly,
promising his best efforts for the
good Of the people in his charge, and
thanking the congregation for the
welcome extended to him. He then
again gave them his blessing, after
which numerous introductions were
made to him. and every mark Of res.
pect and esteem shown him. 1t was
no doubt pleasant and agreeable to
him to find that his reputation as an
eloquent and faithful Priest had pre-
coded bis appointment as Bishop,
and we are sure it gave great pleas.
ure to the congregation here to testi.
fly to their glad acceptance of his
elevation.
Il >~~~>>~-~-~A.~~~~~~-
| DEMOCRACY IN CADDo.-The true
and undismayed Democracy of old
Caddo is once more tt. the front, and
victory once more graces her upliited
banner. We cannot forego announ
cling it officially from a special of
Rapides' true and gallant son, N. C.
Blanchard, to our New Orleans name
sake:
SHREVEPORT, Jan. Nv. H. Wise,
the regular Democratic nominee for
Representative to I'll the vacancy in
the Legislature from this Parish has
260 majority over R. j. Looney, the
regular Republican nominee. The
Democrats carried every precinct in
the Parish. The day was perfect
Waterloo for the Radicals. Leonard
Harper and their faction made des-
perate fight, and are overwhelmed by
the defeat.
Set Caddo down in the future for
the Democracy. Radicalism and its
twin brother independently are
crushed out. The magnitude of the
victory Of yesterday will be better
understood when it is remembered
that in all elections of 1876 there was
a colored majority on registration in