The Opelousas courier., 1882-10-14
An Address to the Democratic
Voters of the State.

HEADQUARTERS STATE CENTRAL EXP
ecutive Conn.,, Democratic Party,
New Orleans, Oct. 1897
S1R-The campaign nov about to be
opened in this State may be confidently
expected one Of great activity and siren
uous exertion on the part of the Repub-
lican party. Fearing the popular YER
dict upon the just closed Legislature,
and executive actions of their leaders, a
determined effort has been inaugurated
to secure a majority in the next House
of Representatives ; with %unblushing eff
frontery the party authorities have en-
tered upon a system of extortion and ex-
action without parallel in the history OF
American politics. The incumbents of
Federal offices, high and low, in every
branch of governmental service, are re-
quired to contribute to the party treas
ury, under pain Of official displeasure
and certain displacement. The power
and authority of those in high places are
given without stint in aid Of the parti-
san warfare, now waged without even
| the small merit of seeming conflict with
executive prerogative.
Insidiously has the party in power at
| tempted entrance into the very homes
of our people, and by a%rtiice and prom
Uses of patronage seduce the weak and
| caiole the malcontents into open hostility
and actual contest for Office. There is
not a Southern State where desertion
from party and principle has not been
encouraged and the payment OF price
fixed upon and assured. We need not
turn to our sister States for illustration,
but in our constituency it has now be
come manifest that bids have been Of
fered, and the dealer in such a question
able traffic ready to make delivery. This
can and must be met and defeated by
the Democracy of Louisiana, ever true
to the traditions and integrity OF the
party. The same causes that produced
revolt to Republican rule and brought
about it's destruction, are as present and
potent now, and as loudly call for the
united action of our people.
The liberty and happiness-of our peo-
pie must ever be set deep down in our
hearts, and therefore we must not yield
the fruits and victories now, nor must
we relax in one particular, lest the mem
cries of the past be renewed in the Bit
terness and dangers of the near future.
The fight must be made by the
people; out of their might must come
the issue of right-the success OF. the
Democratic party. We have neither
public nor private treasures at our COM
mand, nor the meanst to lavish money up
on trimmers and strikers for their doubt
full aid, nor is it needed by a people in
securing for themselves the blessings of
free and good government. You are
therefore earnestly requested to organ
ize your parish and district committees
at once; to put the party upon an eff
cient and vigorous footing, and secure
the personal and active canvass by your
candidates and citizens of your entire
district.
Send, at once, a full and complete list
of your local and district organizations
to these headquarters, with correct post
Office address !; and communicate freely
and fully in order that proper informa-
ton may be had as we'll as given.
Success awaits only our prompt and
faithful action ; there can be no failure
if we remain true to ourselves and our
party. Very respectfully,
JOHN FITZPATRICK,
President State Central Elk. Com.
o. M. TENN1soN, Secretary.