The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-07-15
The Position Of Mr.. stephens.

A short time since the Constitution
found it necessary to talk very plainly
to Mr.. Stephens. 1t was rumored-and
the rumors were reiterated-that Mr..
Stephens had determined to "stand"
for Governor in defiance of the Demo-
cratic party. We stated, without minc-
ing words, that unless Mr.. Stephens
squarely and in terms put himself on the
platform of the organized" Democ-
racy. we should oppose his nomination
and election with all earnestness and
emphasis. This we should have done,
regardless of the consequences. No
honest Democrat could have done less.
Bur Mr.. Stephens has declared his
views on this subject and they are all
that the most exacting partisan could
ask. He rebukes DIR. FELTON, and his
associates by saying that all reforms
should be worked within the party lines,
and thus puts himself squarely against
the men who have left the ranks and
poured their grievances into the ear Of
the enemy. He spurns the gratuitous
and foolish nomination of the half
dozen sore-heads who met here last
week by saying that he is before the
Democratic Convention-thal If he is
nominated by that Convention he will
be q candidate if he is not nomi-
mated by that body he will retire and
support its nominee. Nothing could be
palmer or more patriotic than this.
Mr.. Stephens. therefore, goes before the
Democratic primaries" simply and
purely as Democratic candidate. The
supreme test of party fealty, namely, as
to whether he would bow his head in
acquiescence if the party should select
another standard bearer, has been put
| to him, and, he has answered it precise
ly and positively. He cannot be blamed
for having the Endorsement of the Coali-
| tionists. That is an accident that may
happen to any gentleman. He has GER
tainly not compromised with them. He
denounces their revolt against party al
legiance, by expressing in the strongest
terms his own submission to it. He de-
! nounces their coalition with the enemy
by saying that party abuses should be
corrected within the party ranks. Hav-
ing thus antagonized the only two prin-
ciples on which they stand, and putting
himself at the head of the party they are
pledged to destroy, he cannot be blamed
if they still condemn him with their APP
proval. 1t is foolish to say that the Co
alitionists have dictated the candi-
date of the Democracy. The Democrat
ic primaries will decide who will be
the party candidates. If they select
Mr.. Stephens, it will be Mr.. Stephens
if some one else, then Mr.. Stephens will
be out of the race. Never before has
the party been freer to act without die
tation or embarrassment before the
race has opened every candidate stands
pledged TO abide by the decision of the
Convention.
Instead of complicating things. Mr..
Stephens has simplified them. Offered
the nomination of the opposition, he
says in effect: II fight only under the
Democratic flag. Regardless of what
has happened l shall run only as the
Democratic candidate. If that party
honors me with its standard, shall
march at the head of its hosts. If II
puts it in other hands, will march In
the ranks Under these circumstances
Mr.. Stephens stands before the Demo
cratic primaries" in precisely the same
attitude as any ether candidate
| Atlanta Constitution.