The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-11-05
tn THE DEMOCRATIC CONSERVA-
TIVE VOTERS OF THE 18TH JU-
DICIAL DISTRICT.
ROOMS Dem. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OF RAP1DEs PARISH,
ALEXANDRIA, LA,

looms DEM. EXECUTIVE
OF RAP1DEs PARISH,
ALEXANDRIA, LA,
Nov. l, 1879.
AS the authorized and responsible
representatives of the Democratic
Party of Rapides Parish, we feel
called upon to respond to certain
charges and insinuations contained
IN tue card and protest emanatlns
from the Delegates of the Parish OF
to the District Conven'
ton, which convened at Alexandria,
on the 21st ult., by which they have
sought to justify their action and TO
their course. 1t is not our
purpose to c~riticise or to question
the honesty of their motives, or Inc
spirit which prompted them to take
issue with the majority of their par
tv friends in two Parishes. but as
individuals and as Democrats, speak
the sentiment Of our party IN
those Parishes, we are constrained
to assert our rights, and to repel as
unbecoming, unjust and wholly with
out foundation the assertion that
there was any manipulation or unfair
means used in behalf of any of the
candidates before the people. Well
indulge in no fecriminations which
are at variance with true Democratic
principles, and such as court a null
duplication of special pleas and WHY
subterfuges. TO correctly and i'm
partially interpret the influences by
which the action of the Delegates
from Rapides and Grant was so mys
terionsly directed and controlled, it is
only necessary to ascertain whether
or not those Delegates discharged
the trusts conided to them in accor
dance with the expressed wishes o
the people whom they were commits
stoned to represent. The ALLEGED
grievances are but the chickering's o
a discontinued minority, and a bar
statement of facts, we deem a sufi
cient answer to every charge OF un
fairness, to which we invite q dispas
sionate consideration.
At the opening of the canvass i
' this District the Democratic Execu
tive Committee of Avoyelles Paris
called a Mass Meeting to elect min
> Delegates to the District Judici:
Convention. The Delegates selecte
at that meeting were instructed I
! cast their votes for Arislides Barbi
{ for Judge of the Twelfth Judici'
District.
y A similar meeting was convened
Colfax, in Grant Parish, on Septeu
. Der 9th, and three Delegates We
: elected to represent. that Parish. \
% instructions were given them, butt
was ascertained by the vote at TIL
: meeting that a large majority of u
. Parish favored w. F. Blackman
} Judge, and Edwin G.. Hunter for Di
trict Attorney.
Rapides Parish was the last Pari
~ in the District to hold her Conve
= tion. A spirited and exciting &C
test, participated in by all the cs
didates, determined the fact that I
Democracy of Rapides, as represe
ed in the Parish Convention, and
= which the Delegates to the Distr
Convention were chosen, were a u
, in favor of Judge Blackman. l
vote of the same Convention for Q
trict Attorney, though divided, sh'
~ ed a decided majority in favor
Edwin G. Hunter, and when a I
ton was made that he be decla
the unanimous choice of Rapides
IRISH, it was carried without q diss
~ ting voice. Such are the facts pl
~, to the assembling of the Dist
;tI Convention.
We fail of a correct appreciat
of the situation, unless we consi
,;s. that Judge Blackman and Mr.. Il
y, ter were tried officers Of toe
we'll known to the public thtough
- Rapides and Grant Parishes, wi
pv they had faithfully served. The
Nv
ont nomination of one only would
~ been construed as q condemnatio
the other. Under such a stat
be things, is it strange or surpri
this that so strong a sentiment was Z
lon' Tested?
bv The direct action of a large nj
ity of the people had virtually
r. ded in favor of the ticket which
nominated in Convention, and "
ave gard it as our solemn duty to
hree upon the Democratic. Conserv'
yea. voters throughout the Twelfth /.