The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1882-03-04
COLONEL JOHN ELLIS TO HIS FRIEND
JUDGE CALDWELL.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE

WASHINGTON, d. c., February IA, 1852. !
Jl!v Dear Jttlye-Your favor of the
Sth reached me two or three days ago.
Parties are inseparable from the struc-
lure of popular government. They are,
Or they should be, founded on princi-
pie to correct abuses, or promote ideas,
ana their sole, legitimate purpose is to
such a rule, both Of laws and
men, rs will give the greatest good to
the greatest number ot the people.
l have been, and, IA parties stand,
am yet n Democrat, because 1 believe
the success of that party would answer
the legitimate ends of party Organiza-
ton, and give TO Louisiana wise and
stable, as we'll "a peaceful, govern
ment. Alas, for my hope, it has gone
into the hands of a corrupt ring of men,
some of them deserters from the Repub-
lican camp, and others original Demo
Gratis. We have, to-day, a deplorable
state Of affairs n Constitution which is
a biotch and II disgrace officers, in
many cases, incapable of, or unwilling
to, execute the laws laws SO ignorantly
and clumsily framed rs to he incapable
of execution the stigma Of reputation
on the fair name OF the State officials,
even Judges, specializing In State and
city securities that fiuctuate In the de-
cisions of the courts; taxes exceeding
the constitutional limit taxes In New
Orleans over 81 per cent; commerce and
business frightened at the very men
ton of the word "legislature" Office
holders and legislators grown suddenly
and mysteriously rich, and the State
stagnant aud the people poorer. And
yet the Democratic $50 calleGD has been
in power since 1877.
Now, love my State and he: people
better than love the Democratic party ;
and propose to stand with the peo-
pie, and not by any party who have
abused and wronged the people. Not
long ago, in New Orleans, told some
plain truths about the condition of pub
lie affairs in our State; for this have
boon made the target for lot of little
editors and papers. n The
trouble with these fellows is that told
some crushing truths, and the people
know 1t, and are ripe and ready to show
the ring under SO heavily and so deeply
that the voice Of Spring shall never
wake them from Information
Aud, heart and soul, l am With the
people-the good people-the homes.
people-of whatever name, or color OF
party, who love their State and want
law and order and peace and good gov
eminent, and honest governors, legisla-
tors, and capable and faithful congress
men, and who are determined, come
what will, that the penitentiary shall
have the thief and corruptionists, and
the high places shall be filled with hon
est men. Yes, 1 am with the brave,
patient people, who are ready to turn
their backs upon the prejudices and
hates and dead ideas of the past, and
with the light of n new and brilliant
future mantling their faces, will press
forward to realize and achieve it.
We have tho power to do this, and
the will and the brains and why should
we not do it? 1t is all untrue, that !
seek to SOW seeds OF dissension in any
party. 1t is all untrue, that ambition
personal to myself, prompts me tc
arraign the Democratic party. Had l
sought, or did l seek, only my own
petty Advancement, l could certainly
keep in with tho Democratic ring by
being silent. But enough now have
written more than had intended when
I sat down.
! want to get out of politics. 1t has
beggared me. I cannot learn to steal
and hence grow poorer all the time
But l will stay in long enough to teach
the plunderers what might there slum
hers in the will Of freemen.
With great respect, ! am your frienG
and obeiient servant,
T.. JOHN ELLIS.
Hon. RoBT. J. CALDWELL, Column
bia, La.