National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-03-11
TALKING OUT IN MEETING.
The following letter speaks for itself:

House OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Feb. H. 1882
Ny DEAR JUDGE; Your favor of the 9Th reached
me two or three days ago. Parties are inseparable
from the structure of popular government. They
correct abuses, or promote ideas, and their sole
Legitimate purpose Is to establish such rule both
Of laws and men, as will give the greatest good to
the greatest number OF the people.
have been, and as parties stand, am yet DEM
ocrat, because believe the success of that party
would answer the legitimate ends of party organi-
zntion, and give to Louisiana wise and stable as
well as peaceful government Alas for my hope
1t has gone into the hands of corrupt ring OF
men, some of them deserters from the Republican
camp, and others original Democrats, and we
have o-day deplorable state of affairs-a con-
Stituton which Is blotch and disgrace; officers
in many cases incapable Of or unwilling to,
execute the laws; laws so ignOrantly and
clumsily framed as TO be incapable of execution
the stigma Of reputation on the fair name of the
State; oihcialS-oyen judgcs-spcCulating in State
and city securities that nuctuato IN decisions of
the courts; taxes exceeding the constitutional
limit; taxes in New Orleans over 80 per cent;
commerce and business frightened nj the very
mention of the word "legslaturer; office. hold
ers and legislators grown suddenly and mysicr-
ousy rich, and the State sagnant, and the people
poorer-and yet the Democratic party $50 calleCO
has been In power since 1877.
Now, love my State and her people better than
| love the Democratic party, and l propose TO
stand with the people, and not by any party who
have abused and wr9nged the people. Not long
the condition of public affairs in our State. For
this have been made the target for lot OF little
editors and papers = The trouble with
these fellows is that / told some crushing truths
aud the people know II, and are ripe and ready to
snow the ring under so heavily and so deeply
that the voice of spring shall never wake them
from Information.
And heart and soul / am with the people the
good people, the honest people of whatever name
or color or party, who love their State and want
law and order aud peace, and good government
and honest judges, Governors, Legislators, and ca
pable and faithful Congressman, and who are de-
termined, come what WILL that the penltentiary
shall have tho thief and corruptonsts, aud the
high places shall be filled with honest mem Yes,
| am with the brave, patient people, who are
ready to turn their backs upon the prciudiccs and
hates and dead ideas of the past and with the
light of new and brilliant future mantling their
faces, will press forward to realize and achieve it,
We have the power to do this, and the will and
the brains, and why should we not do IL? 1t Is all
untrue that seek to SOW seeds of discussion in any
party. 1t is all untrue that ambition, personal to
myself, prompts me to arraign the Democratic
party. Had sought or did seek only my own
petty advancement, could certainly keep in with
the Democratic ring by being silent. But enough
now. ] have written more than had intended
when / sat down.
want to get out of politics. II has beggared
me. | cannot learn to steal, and hence I grow
poorer all the time. But will stay In long enough
to teach the .plundercrs what might their slumb-
ers in the will of freemen.
With great respect, ] am your friend and obedi-
ent servant l.. JOHN ELLIS.