Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1882-01-18


10 being manifested. In south Carolina,
Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, Arkansss and
10 this State the supremacy Of the De
mocrscy IL at least threatened by q coun-
ter political movement. What strength
these new opponents Of the at present
dominant party aro to assume II is yet too
early TO foretell, though It Is not probable
that the success OF the reg ilar Democracy
will be seriously endangered. The leaders
of tina, party do not at least manifest any
symptoms Of alarm. The opposition is
not yet formidable to the extent of awak.
ening any well grounded foreLodings for
the safety Of the grand old party which
has outrode the fury of ~ many violent
political storms aud which isyet equipped
to ride the waves Of popular favor into
the control Of the national government.
Virginia. 1t Is true, has been captured
10y an alliance between Malone aud the
Republicans backed by the federal admin.
istration At Washington. But the people
Of Virginia were divided on the debt ones.
ton WHICH afforded Malone a live is-nr
around which to organize his party and
rally his followers. IL there had been no
such issue Mahouism never could have
triumphed in the old dominion. Iu no
other Southcru State IS there such an issue
for the division Of parties II the party
lines are again drawn 1t must be III oppo-
sitiou 10 the Democracy and in alliance
with the Republicans. IL may come dis.
gnised in a new name, but III object, prin.
ciple aud in purpose it is only the old
Radical patty seeking by alliance with a
few dissatisfied Demnirais TO deceive the
people aud By false pretcusc- to gain pop
ular favor. With such party the best
element of the Southern people can have
10 possible sympathy. The old Radical
leaders are TO be- the leaders of this new
lnd"penhment move, and this of itself IL
sufficient Ia satisfy the curiosity of those
familiar with the rule of Eadlcalisin in
the South. We have not forgotten the
experiences Of those terrible years during
which the people OF the South struggled
under Radical oppret-on aud mi-rulr. We
yet bear the seats nf those "daIk ages"
we shall guard with vigilance that tir-
eth not.
Though the Democracy il not all that II
should be Yet as party It's record III the
South is infinitely above that of the Re
publican party. Many Of It's measures, 1t
is true, will bear criticism; many reforms
might wcll De- made IN is policies but in
comparison with the open r"ttrnrcss of the
Republican, patty South, it il wise, cconomi
cal aud purc. There il no good citizen OF
TIL, State who desires the I"turn ct the
regime of Warmoth. Kellogg ~ Co. Such
IN event would he regarded rs drplOrablc
indeed by the best element of the people
of louisiana. Needed reforms can be best
brought about within the ranks Of the
Democracy. If that party has it, faults,
It il has made mistakes, let them I've cor
rcctcd IN the party ranks. II corrupt or
incompetent men have been placed in inn
poitaut positions and abused the trust con-
hdrd to- them let them be rrhukrd by
clcctiuS men of uUqucstiou,d ability aud
integrity Ia succeed them in Office. In
short let the best element no longer hold
al"ot from an active participation III poll
ties, hut let the lsst men step To- the front
aud see that the PRIMARIES and the con-
ycutions are not abandoned to trick-tcr~,
wire pullcl~ and machine iuanipulitors.
When this IL done there will Lee les cause
for complaint We viii have good and
competent men 10 fill position, of public
trust and Importance and the permanent
success Of the Democracy will I've secured
lnt II IA" best men ar" 10 hold OF from
an active participation IN politics and per
nit unworthy characters to cCntrol the
party conventions and primaries then,
however pnr. may he th" prineirles Of the
party, designing, dishonest and inconpe.
tent men will mud their way into such po-
Stious
There ar" advantages III having two par
ties which We do not deny. Ii the best
element of society could be divided on
real. live ISSUES it would have great ten
dcncy 10 purify onr politics. Hnt in this
State there is danger in such a course.
There is mn element IN this State, the as
ccndancy of which is iuimical Ia her best
4.
yidrd might again gain control Of the
State Government, and subject our people
again TO the curse of Radicalism. On the
to be- gained by clnging TO the principles
of the Democracy ~ the sheet anchor of