The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1880-06-23
HON. JAMES JEFFRlES FOR con-
GRESS.

OF the Fourth Congressional DisVf'cl
is fast drawing near. Allow me to
call the attention of our worthy and
efficient member, Colonel Wise, to
the importance Of being represented
by able and sound Democrats. In
my opinion, the best way to accom-
plish this end is to have Il larger ba.
sis and a proportionately smaller re,
presentation, and send only our best
meu--men of orthodox principles
Let us take the last general { the
Witty election and send half the
number on double the basis, { say ev'
cry 400 instead of every 2OO)--the
work would be done more quickly
and with less wrangling and more
satisfaction.
There are numerous candidates In
the field for preferment, and / am
glad to see a marked superiority in
point of ability and high standing,
characterizing the names of the gen
tlemen already mentioned. Iregret
to note, in the columns Of your able
journal, the withdrawal of the name
of our able and worthy fellow citi
zen, Judge Manning, from the candi
dacy of the District. The Fourth
Congressional District would feel
proud of such representative in
Congress, the peer of any man on
that floor, whether in oratory or in
a judicial point of view; for no man
ever left the Supreme bench with
more distinguished honor than our
Chiei,Juslice.
But, Mr.. Editor, the Withdrawal or
refusal of Judge Manning, while it is
to be regretted, does not, of a neces.
sity, deprive Rapides of her desire
nor her right to claim the candidate
for Congress. North Louisiana has
worn the honors for the last fifty
years--DeSoto, Natchitoches, Caddo,
Claiborne, etc. General Overton was
the last Congressman Rapides had
the Lonor of sending, which was
nearly fifty years ago. Now, sir, am
/ unreasonable in claiming the honor
as a right? And in connection l
take great pleasure in suggesting the
name Of that able, but modest gen.
tlenan, James Jeffries. It is we'll
known fact that Mr.. Jeffries took the
field in Louisiana's darkest days,
when success was hopeless, times to
try mems political souls. But when
his party called him from his COM
Portable home, where he could have
remained in luxury and ease, and
with the additional excuse of ill.
health, lie laid aside all selfish con.
siderations, faced the (almost) Ger
Lainty of defeat, the hardships and
exposure of On arduous campaign,
and, with such wonderful energy and
suavity of manner, accompanied with
the highest order of ability, as to
carry by storm, TO the delight and
surprise of all, the full vote of the
now aroused and jubilant Democracy,
and large coored vote in addition,
and lifted Rapides from the lowest
depths of political woe to occupy
that place with her sister Democra-
tic Parishes which her grand and no.
bic victory entitled her to. But Mr..
Jetiries is not only the idol of his
own people, but by his conservative
course, his great ability and sound
Judgment, he has won the confidence
and admiration ofthe people through
out the State. His nomination would
give great satisfaction 10 the people
of the District, and | believe he
would poll a larger vote than any
other man whom we could select
Mr.. Jefiries has also the advantage
of large political experience. He is
an accomplished scholar, is possess.
ed of vast fund of information, hav.
ing travelled extensively and has the
advantage of being intimately ac-
quainted with many of the leading
members of Congress. In placing
the claims of Mr.. Jeffries before the
public, do not mean to detract from,
any other gentleman whose name has
appeared or may appear; for, We Ill
recognize the high qualities aud abl
ity of that young and rising member
of the Shreveport bar, Newton c.
Blanchard. We recognize in him
talents of the highest order, recorf
pure and unsullied, and devotion te
the cause deserving of reward; ant
next to our own Jefries, would
prefer to see him elevated TO thai
high aud responsible position. Blu,
apart from the right that Rapide:
has to the position, Mr.. Jeffrie:
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