The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1881-06-08

sented by General Brent, most zeal
Gus supporter of the administration of
John Quincy Adams. He was Mary.
lander, and in the district there were
many very substantial citizens from
that State, and all of these were the
friends and partisans of Brent, and fol-
lowed his fortunes. He was a bold and
chivalrous leader, and a man of much
decided convictions, and always open
in the expression of his views and
principles. Such character, when
connected with even ordinary abilities
wins upon the public confidence and
controls public opinion. Brent was
omnipotent in his district, though he
had, as such men always have, very
decided enemies, especially political
enemies. A strong opposition had been
organized against him and bitter con-
test was going on when General Brent
died. This was serious blow to the
Wing party. The Crcoles of the Prai-
rie Parishes were the controlling power
in the district; they had even almost en-
masse supported Brent; but they were
of French origin and true to French
instincts. They were fond OF glory
and almost worshipped a great military
man. General Jackson had saved from
destruction by ruthless foe, the city
of New Orleans and deserved as well
their gratitude as admiration. These
people at that time were exceedingly
illiterate, unambitious and honest, and
in every Parish and neighborhood fol-
lowed implicitly, the lead of some one
of their own people, especially in poll
tics. These leaders became divided in
sentiment subsequent to the death of
Brent, and many of them esponsed the
cause of General Jackson. This so
weakened the Wing party as to render
its success doubtful unless candidate
could be found amongst their own peo-
pie who could unite them. To effect
this Judge John Moore, of Opelousas,
was selected. He, had resided in St.
Landry since 1901, had married Gre
ole, spoke French as his mother tongue
land was an exceedingly good and
popular man. ~ ttiis q
VIM was not only eminently talen-
ted, but most energetic. He could not
speak French, andin this Moore had
him at advantage. The canvass was
a most bitter one. Winn pursued it
night and day; unaccustomed to expo
sure, the summer sun was exceedingly
oppressive upon him. Still he pursued
the canvass with zeal aud ability, but
unsuccessfully, and Moore was elected
by very email majority. The expo
sure and fatigue had told sadly upon
Vim, and he sickened and died in a
few weeks after the election. His
death brought to the front as leader
in the Parish of the Democratic party,
Brewer. So -, ! I. ,.Aaas n .ss
In the meantime there had come to
tho country, from Virginia, a young
man By the name of Richardson, ac-
companied by a sister, who was a no.
bic specimen Of Virginia woman.
Brewer was the prominent young man
of the country, for he was still young,
though he had been in tho State a
number of years; had accumulated
considerable means as we'll as fame.
He addressed and married this lady.
She was the especial ia vorite of Mrs.
OvertoD, and her daughter, Mrs. VIM,
was the pet of society. This marriage
brought Brewer more prominently in
to society, and his home was soon the
centre of the elite of the village and
Parish. He was elected to the Leeis.
lature, and in that body became prom
inent and influential. He was a zeal
GUS and some thought an INSCRIPTIONS
partisan. This zeal and devotion to
party, however, augmented his ipflu-
ence with his party, and now that was
in the ascendant, not only in the Red
River region, bat the entire State, and
Brewer was the rising man Of the party.
It was in the Legislature l first met
Brewer. We were political opponents,
and not unfrequently antagonized each
other in dispute. On one occasion this
antagonism warmed into anger. When
it escaped from Brewer that lie was a
Georgian, and in kindness said, "such
was bis attachment to the dear old
State, that her every son was a broth
en-" amity was at once restored, and
We became intimate, when learned
that in early life he had emigrated
from Ogletl,orpe County to Arkansas,
whittier he had been followed BY his
brother, who was still in that State, a
practioipg lawyer. | had been pretty
we'll acquainted in Oglethorpe in my
younger days, but had known no fami-
ly there by the name of Brewer. This