The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1880-10-30


The Democratic conservative meeting
st Phoenix Hall last Saturday afternoon
was fairly attended, consideringithe busy
season, the audience consisting Of about
100 persons, nearly half of whom were
Republicans. Mr.. J. Aristide Landry
was chosen chairman and Dr. A. e. Love
secretary. Speeches were made by Hons.
J.H. Acklen, Jno. s. Billiu and R. n.
Sims. and resolution introduced by the
latter gentleman, indorsing Hancock,
English and Billiu, was adopted without
opposition. We have no space for any
thing like full synopsis Of the remarks
made by the speakers. Suffice it to say
they were appropriate to the cause and
occasion which called them forth, and
shat all the speakers sought to assure
their Republican friends, and especially
the colored people, that the Democracy
intended no encroachment upon their
rights and privileges. Mr.. Acklen spoke
OF Gen. Garfield as one of the ab!est, best
and purest men in Congress, q man who
could only be objected to on party
grounds. The same speaker also inge-
niously endeavored to convince his hear
ers that the Republican party was not
entitled to the credit of maintaining the
protective tariff on imported sugar, and
that the "tariff for revenue only" advo-
o.ted by the Democratic platform meant
essentially the same thing as the pro-
tective tariff plank Of the Republican
platform. We can not say that we ad-
mired Mr.. Billiu's address. He spoke in
: facstious and humorous strain that
provoked frequent laughter, and we GER
tainly enjoyed his drolleries and witt
cisms, but his speech was rambling dis
course, . bid for Republican support, and
certainly not such an effort as was to be
expected from candidate aspiring to
represent. the people and the important
interests Of this district in Congress. His
assurances that, if elected, his first care
should lie to swap votes with other mem
bers so % to get a. much Of Uncle Sans
money for this district and as high a
tariff on sugar as possible, struck US as
rather wanting in dignity and decidedly
lacking in elevated principle. He de-
clared himself on the tariff question as a
Ger, stabilized solidity - a petrified So
Hdityn to which the "Solid South" was
no comparison, and said that when il
came to fixing protective tariffs, he
would "always take sugar in his'n.'
Gon. Billiu amused his audience, but il
his remarks influenced any votes, we
venture to say the change was not in his
favor. Judge Sims spoke briefly, but
with his usual force and eloquence. He
eulopized Hancock as . soldier and 3
statesman, and characterized the Repub-
lican candidate for Congress rs man
whose "eight long and weary years" OF
service in that body had been productive
only of scheme to close Bayou La
fourche at Donaldsonv1lle, and who
eopld exercise no influence to stop re-
lentlcss warfare upon . worthy class OF
citizens engaged in the timber trade in
Calcasien. Gen. Allen Thomas, Ascen-
sion's most gifted orator, was called up
on for a speech, but was compelled to
excuse himself as he had just recovered
from an attack Of fever. Gen. Joseph L.
Brent was aleo called for, but gracefully
declined in favor Of Judge Sims. After
the adoption of the resolution ENDORSING
the candidates, the meeting adjourned.
The independent Brass Band furnished
rood music for the occasion. 1t was
originally intended to have barbecue
in connection with the meeting, but the
time wss nnfavorable for securing a
large attendance Of voters, so the project
was abandoned. Gen. Billin and Mr..
Acklon loft for Napoleonville shortly
after the adjournment OF the meeting.