The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-10-22
NATCHITOCHES La, OCTOBER 22 1881. NO, 81

under Democratic administration an(
Democratic promises of retrenchment and
reform. We cannot perceive in what way
an extra session can remedy the evil com
planned of, by heaping an extra load up
on the burden under which the State j,
staggering. Politicians may sanction and
applaud it, but we much doubt whethes
the people will.
The same journal thus comments on a
practice which all peaceable citizens
both deplore and abhor, i. e. carrying con
cealed weapons. 1t says:
The Baton Rouge Advocate has an abb,
editorial on the practice of carrying con.
cealed weapons which concludes by call
ing upon the press to organize publ,
opinion on this que stion.
The Guardian has waged war against
the pistol and knife h6m its birth up IL
date. Feeling that common decency, re,
ligiOn, morality and love Of peace and har.
mony should cause every good man to
take decided stand on this matter we
have never failed to cry aloud and spare
not. We have demanded in the interest
of law and order that there should be a
prohibition of the sale of pistols, for the
reason that they are good for nothing but
to kill human beings. Others agreed
with us and the better element of the com
munity endorsed all we said on the cues
ton, but the jurles are slow to convict
and fines are light, SO the practice con.
tlnues. The people are careless and indif.
ferent about this question. While cogni-
zant Of the necessity of stringent meas
rres are too apathetic.
If every man who knows that another
has carried concealed weapons; would re-
port it; if Grand Jurors would not carry
TO an extreme the idea that no notice
should be taken of petty offenses, CHASING
concealed weapons as petty Offense; il
petit jurors would cOnstrue strictly theil
oath, and Judges would impose severe
tines, we venture that pistols and knives
would soon be eaten by rust.
It'll matter Of general congratulation
that the Grand Juries of Natchit ,ches par
ish indict every man who can be proven
to carry or have carried concealed weap-
pms, no matter how high his position ip
life or how humble. It is another matter
Of sincere satisfaction that the guilty par
ties are punished not by fines, but by i'm
prisonment in the parish prison. It is to|
be hoped that the time will come when i'll
will be considered personal disgrace fo,
any man to he found carrying a deadl,
weapon in times of profound peace an,
among q law-abiding people. 1t is one o!
the habits Of bellum days which it SEEM
aAdificult to reach, as it is to eradicate
We trust that public condemnation will
st seal upon it and put stop to it.
The Bossier Banner has something tel
say upon subject which is attractin.
much attention, not among politicians,
but the majority Of the honest and com
mon sense voters. Here is what that ;onr
nal says:
Our government has drifted from it,
original bearing. At its foundation TIL,
government was one of the people, for til,
people, and by the people. Now it is
government Of the capitalist, for the CAPT
talist, by the capitalists. The wopl,
think they control this country. The,
don't. The capitalists do. The peopl,
think they elect the officers of the coun
try. They don't. The capitalists d.
First the people do not select their candi
dates. The politicians give the peopl
just two men, from which to select one. d
the capitalists do not select both of thes.
men, they flood the election with money |
and secure the man they want. Thes,
truths are becoming more and more APP
parent every year. Are the people help
lessi Are they conscious or unconscious
Of their dangeri
The impression has been gradually gain
ing strength among the people, particular.
y the Southern people, that keen and
scheming politicians have been playing
npon their prejhdices and passions; not fol
their good and relief; not to reduce thu
burdens Of debt and taxation; not to in-
crease the facilities to educate their child
rem; not to Danish the robbers and plum
derers from high places, but rather to USE
them as stepping stones to serve persona
ambition and personal aggrandisement
The people are neither helpless nor blind
The call for "a full vote, . fair count and
free ballot" means something more than d
mere surface agitation. The fierce con.
tests being waged In political circles
clearly indicate that the masses art
awakening to tho fact that they have
been bought and sold as mere political
chattels. The reputed utterances Of Jay
Gould, that it was castor to purchase legis]
lators, than it was to buy the election Of
bis supporters, to carry out his plans is suf
dciently significant to be remarkably sug
gestive. The fact that corruption, fraud
tleviltry and Disqualification are ever
where coming to the surface and being
constantly exposed, are strongly iudica
tive that the rights, nay very liberties
pl the people are being endangered, and
unless they fully awake to these facts the
an ,conda of selfish power and ring oligar-
chies will enfold them and crush out every
atom of their freedom.
Thanks to free, enlightened and fear
less Dress there are not wanting men who