Le Louisianais. [volume] (Convent, La.) 1865-1883, 1878-10-19
DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL EX.
ECUTIvE COMMITTEE.
PARISH OF ST. JAMES, La,
Spntember 3Otl,. 1878.

IARlSH OT ICl. VI AIA.9 Fl
September 3Otl,, 1873.
To the Democratic voters of st.
james Parish:
The coming November Elections
will he Of the greatest Importance
in their result. The complexion of
the next House OF Representatives
in Congress will he a virtual decis-
ion of the Presidential election in
1880; and will thus shape the policy-
of the Government for many years,
and in a measure fix the destiny of
the Southern States of the Union.
Louisiana, having been tor eight
years the special victim OF radical
misrule, now awaits the verdict OF
the nation for the future genera
lions.
Can Louisianians remain indiffcr-
cnt when their State is undergoing
suchan ordeal
In obedience to a solemn duty
imposed on the undersigned by the
Contra, Committee Of the Democrat
ic party Of st. James, VIC come for
ward and appeal to all good citizens
to do their duty during this mo-
mrntouS struggle.
The right to vote and to chose
his own ruler is a priceless boon to
every true freeman shall it be said
that st. James has sons who do no
deserve that privilege, : Or who
thoughtlcsS'y spnrn the exercise OF
that valued franchise!
We confidently hope not for we
know that the memory of the un-
bearable..cvils which we suffered for
eight years will be an incentive for
every citizen to come forward and
avert a repetition of the same, by
registering and voting for honest
and faithful candidates for office.
For eight years we were ground
down with taxes and imposts Dor.
dcring on appropriations; we paid
taxes for the maintenance OF public
schools, and We had none. We
have had home rule for one Short
year. aud sixteen schools were at
once opened and maintained Will.
out interruption.
W. paid taxes for the support OF
the Parish Government. and sc,
with ignorant and corrupt officer.
in power, our parish became involv
cd IN countless debts, and the cred
it of the Parish, absolutely destroy
ed. Our Court House bonds re
manned unpaid and our money wa,
! plllage,l and Sqllnndcred.
Within one year OF home govern
: mcut, taxes were reduced 10y on,
third, the current expenses Of til,
Parish paid. the past indebtedness:
Of the PARISH reduced 10y one half
the credit Of our parish restored
and confidence h $ taken the l,Iac,
+, Of aiStrU>t and financial despair.
Daring the wears lSGS. 1869
1870, down t" 1876, our citizen
were deprived OF their most sacrr,
rights, midnight robbers in;imiAn
ted the honest property holder VIII
submitted tamtIy to he robbed: OF
S'i'iI'u 'H'iidiiS ny htiS
crennts and towards who rrlnlitp,
in the ear styling themselves ii.
"Loursiana Militia" parAdrl on
. public roads. rode over o1,y citizens
invaded their homes at night, III
rested and dragged away inoi1elsiv
citizens on t,l,mped MP charge,
and kept them rs prisoners. INT;
the people rose in their majesty an
[ demanded their release.
! This and many mo!e evils lav
we cen and suffered. until the yer
e foundations OF society We're shake,
Who gave us courage to resist ma,
fully and who rescued us from pt
; litical death and social degradation
! We answer boldly that it was tn
Democratic Party and its press an
2 its leaders.
J.. Another effort and we shall rea
the full reward of our suffering
l and Of II struggle. Who shall b
indifferent: None but corrupt, c
bad men orcowar,lS can refuse the
help IN the work OF redemption.
l FL POCIIE,
j. \. DRUILHET,
j. GENTIL,
, COmmittpp on nn0~istratinn an