The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1880-09-29
THE ISSUES OF THE CANVASS.

NE lCCUEO Vt uL ShNu HDCs
The canvass thus far in Louisiana
be ars a marked contrast with every
other that has preceded 1T, both be-
fore and since the war. Save the
voice of The press, that potent engine
in modern politics, there has been no
sound TO proclaim the magnitude of
the contest which is now being waged
and which, let US hope, ise 70 be
peacefully decided by the ballots of
freemen on the second of November.
Tie issues of The canvass are but
few, and the one which ovel shadows
all others is whether or not there
shall he an ol,li,e,aIion Of 'be >er
lionai feeling ana prejudices OF 'he
war. and a restoration Of kindly rela-
tions between the people of the North
and South. This, iruIy, is tie only
practical question which the voters
OF The land will be called upon to de
eide. Fifteen years Of Republican
rule, since the war, have utterly
failed to restore barmonv between
the sections or 10 win for he Nation
al government the confidence and re-
spect of patl lotto citizens. In the
Southern States where, for eight
years, the people had experien' ed at
the hands of their carpet bag rulers
every spc les of tyranny and oppres
sion which their devilish ingenuity
could invent; and where blight aud
desoa alton had settled down as q
consequence, there has been reviv-
al, withia The past three years, under
the rightful and lawful governments
controlled by Democrats, that is al
most beyond parallel.
The conflict of races which the Re
publicans sought to precipitate is DO
longer head Of, and the distrust and
anxieties crested by political asita-
tors has given place 10 The conf
dence and kindly feelings begotten of
common interests which have been
but lately understood. In Louisiana
and South Carolina there is not an
intelligent colored voter among those
who have been the most ardent Re-
publicans who, to day, would ex-
change their Democratic State gov
ernments for the best That Mr.. Blaine
and his stalwart adherents could
provide.
The prosperity of the South and
her rapid increase in population have
excited The alarm of he extremists,
who read in it the doom Of that par
ty who have so long triumphed by
the agitation of sectional issues.
General Hancock, though the candi-
date of the Democratic party, is The
candidate of every citizen of The Re-
public who estecms stainless rec
ord, devotion 10 principle and the
love of country, as the highest attri-
butes of a chief magistrate.
We have an abiding faith in The
returning good sense of the people of
the North, we believe the time is
near at hand when they will speak
to the political demagogues in tones
that cannot be. mistaken, and that
under the executive who vii! occupy
the White House after the fourth of
next Marcil, There Will tie Union In
fact as we'll as in name.
An enlightened and liberal states
manship would soon blot out the last
bitter memories of the late civil war,
and direct the energies of The gov
ern ment 10 the development of the
vast resources of our great country.
Shall the wicked and selfish meas
ures and designs of violent and mali
cious politicians give place to poll
cy founded'on an unbiased consider
alton of The real welfare of the whole
country, is the question every voter
should PROFOUND TO himself before
he deposits his ballot in The coming
nlec, ion