The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1882-03-15

e LETTER FROM E. JOHN ELLIS

q "hIiEA FROM E. JOHN ELLIS
'' VIEWS ON The POLITICAL sITuA
. TON OF LOUISIANA.
We print below a letter from N,
Hon. E. John Ellis, member of Con
gress, to Judge r. J. Caldwell, of Co.
'nmbia. 1t was not intended for nub
LEGATION
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE. J
WASHINGTON. d. C.
Feb'y II, 1882.
MY Dear Judge
Yonr favor of the 9Th reached me
TWO or three days ago.
fart'es are inseparable from the
sn' Of popular government
lhey are, or they should be founded
Oh principle to correct abuses or pro.
mote ideas, aud their sole legitimate
purpose is to establish such rule
ootn OF laws aud men, as will give the
greatest good to the greatest number
of people.
nave been, and as parties stand
am yet Democrat, because believe
the success of that party would an
s"er the Legitimate ends of party or
eah'2atlon and give to Louisiana q
wise and stable, as well as peaceful
government. Alas, for nv hone. It
has gone into the hands of a corront
ring ot men, some of them deserters
from the Republican camp, and Others
original Democrats, and we have to
day deplorable state of affairs-a
constitution which is blotch, and a
disgrace; officers, in many cases, inca
pable of, or unwilling to execute the
laws; laws 81 ignorantly and clumsily
framed as to be incapable of execu.
ZION; the stigma of reputation on the
tar name Of the State; officials, even
Judges, specializing in State and CITY
securities that flnctnate in decisions Of
me courts; taxes exceeding the Con-
-stltutIonal limit; taxes i1 New Or.
leans over 81 per cent; commerce and
business frightened at tho very men
tion of the word "legislaturer'-ofic
holders and legislators grown sudden
~ amt tnysteriously rich, and the
State stagnant and the people poorer. !
and yet the Democratic party $50.
calied) has been in power since 1877,
Now, l love my State and her peo-
pie better than love the Democratic
party; and propose to stand with the |
people aud not by any party, who have |
abused and wronged the people. Not
long ago in New Orleans, l told some
plain truths about sthe condition of
public affairs in our State. For this
have been made the target for a lot
Of little editors and papers
The trouble with these fellows is that
told some crushing truths, and the
people know it, and are ripe and ready
TO snow the ring under 30 heavily and
80 deeply, that the voice of Spring
shall never wake them from hiberna.
lion.
An 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 and peace, and good
government, and honest Judges, Gov
srnors, Legislators, and capable and
faithful Congressman, and who are de.
come what will, that the
'enitentiary shall have the thief and
,orruptionist and the high places shall
20 filled with honest men. Yes, l am
With the brave, patient people, who
ire ready to turn their backs upon the :!
'rejndices and hates, aud dead ideas
# the past, and with the light of a f.
lew and brilliant future mantling
heir faces, will press forward to real
ze and achieve it.
We have the power to do this and
he will and the brains, and why
mould we not do it7 1t is all untrue .
hat seek to SOW seeds of dissensions
II any party. It is all untrue that am ,
ition, personal to myself, prompts me !,
arrs'gn the Democratic party. Had :
sought, or did l seek only my own !,
city advancement, could certainly =
eep III with the Democratic ring by
cling silent. But enough now. III
ave written more than bad intended
'hen l sat down.
1 want to get out of politics. 1t has =
eggared me. I cannot learn to steal, a
nd hence grow poorer all the time. =
ut | will stay in long enough to teach
10 plunderers what might there slum-
ers In the will Of freemen,
With great respect, am your friend
I'D obedient servant,
E. john ELLIS, +.
on. Robt. J. Caldwell, Columbia, La.