The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1881-08-31
A TIMELY WARNING.

orally engaged in the discussion of
the political aspect of affairs in Lou
isiana, and the time is opportune for
that purpose. There being no cleo.
tion this year and consequently no
candidates, what may be aaid on that
subject is, of course, intended for
general application, and can not be
presumed to have for its purpose the
advancement of any particular indi
vidual, nor as a barsh criticism on
another. Perhaps the unsayory con-
dition to which machine politics"
has brought the City of New Or
leans, and the formation of vigilance
com N ittees there to correct abuses,
is right now the exciting cause Of
the discussion.
Politics in Louisiana has degene-
rated into disgraceful scramble for
office. The professional politician
has been taught that it is easier to
scheme for, trade for aud buy an Of
fee with good salary, than it is to
make an honest living in some of
1.-The more honorable walks Of life,
and it is so easy to do nothing, give
nothing in return, and to draw from
the public crib, and they have been
so successful at it In the past, that
they have come to regard the public
Offices as their private property. II
this game of theirs they have here
tofore counted upon and have beer
aided by the Indifference of the peo
pie to their real interests. The PEG
pie are honest and would do what il
right if left to themselves, but they
have seen their will thwarted so of
ten by means of packed executive
: committees, packed mass meeting'
t and packed conventions, that the,
r are ready to co1elude that it is al
r most useless to res:st. Right her
8 they make the mistake epon whicl
0 the success of the political trlcAster
. depends. Instead Of abandoning tn
: party machinery to them and thei
claquers, they should take posses
= SION of it and teach those who cour
n upon their Indifference or trade upo
d their ignorance, that they will n
o longer submit to such things.
j. When q mass meeting is called
o appoint an executive committee II
2 2 the people, the real people, who hay
TT no exes to grind, attend and Il
r. their Voice be heard. When the pr
j. mary election OF delegates to the |
c. cal conventions are ordered, /
< every man who has the interest
at the country at heart, attend promp
I'd ly at the time and place, and let dc
to egates be selected who are pledg'
rs to no man or set of men. VIII
~ commissioners of election are to
10 appointed let them see that they a
A good and true men who viii! see til
at there is a "free ballot and a ia
a. count" When the conventions me
is let the voice of the people be hea
in and not that of clique of Office h'
IN ders or office seekers. Then VIII
a. the people have chosen and elect
g their officers, let them hold them
a strict and rigid accountability.
an Let the laws be enforced and let
y man or set of men be above the la
- The past is behind US, let it re-
The present and the future is GU
and it is our duty to redeem I
pledges we made in good faith.
e. Louisiana is to build up her was
MT places by means of foreign immigl
ut tion and the Importation of forei
e. capital, we must turn over a NJ
ar leaf in our politics. The laws mt
" be enforced and they never will
H. by men who use the Offices to secu
W a reelection. Capital must be pl
- tected, and life and liberty scruE
lis lousy guarded, and these ends
We never be accomplished while polit
e- is trade and the officers whose du
he it is to enforce the laws owe th
IL places to tricks and bargains.
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