St. Landry democrat., 1883-11-17
Colfax Chroniole.
THE VIENNA SENTINEL ON GOV.
McENEEY.
Union Parish Gazette

/ We reprint below reply from the Vienna
Sentinel to a correspondent of the Gazette. 70
some extent we adopt the views of the Sentieel
| nut do not go 10 the extreme of that Journal
temperance is advocated by all thinking men
total abstinence is not. The former is the quail
lty OF man the latter is the self-imposed
restraint OF one unable to control himself We
advocate the cause of temperate men and when
we find public official to be other than such we
will not voluntarily support him. If conven-
| ton put such one in nomination it is hobson q
choice. 1t the convention is OF our political
| faith.
But we give the sentinel's reply as follows:
We dislike very mnch to criticize mans
| private character when tur comments are ne
| eessariiy nnfaFprable to the man, although he
be candidate for official position, a fact which
renders such criticism legitimate and proper
But notwithstanding our dislike to take up
anything of q private nature against a public
man, We endeavor never to go back on what
we say. Notwithstanding the above enquirer
is doubtless q friend of Gov McEnerv ind
Information. We Will nevertheless tell him what
orr other objection to Gov. McEnely ia not
heretofore explicitly declared. We object to
GOV. McEnery because he is habitIally addic-
ted to the use of intoxicating liquors. gets
drunk and degrades the honorable position
he occupies at present. has done it repeatedly
how sober people can conscientiOusly support
a man for such an exalted and important posi-
ton who sets such an example before the NOR
ais of the country us Governor McEnery has
repeatedly done since he has been Cove rnor of
the State. IL is indeed q deplorable sight and
one calculated to inspire any sober man with
supreme disgust, to see the Chief Executive of
proud State staggering along the streets of
the Capital City OF the State in beastly state
OF intoxicatlon or hear him disturbing the
peace and quietude OF a neighborhood in mid
night bacchanalfan reyelry. Who wants to be
governed by drunkard Is morality at such
Il low ebb in this State that so-caed moral men
will support an Incorporate man for Office IN
preference to a temperate man, one who AT all !
times sustains the dignity OF his postion and
holds himself from such low and degrading
practices Let calm and thinking minds re. |
hect upon the subject and see what dsleterious
results would grow out OF such course if |
persisted in.
We do not object to incompetence solely be- |
cause 1t units an officer for the discharge of his
duties, degrades his private character and has |
a demoralizing influence OH society goodness |
knows that ought to be enough) but also be- |
cause OF the multitude Of other evils it leads
him into. The Governor OF this State in many
has unlimited authority, wisely giVen
him for the good of the State. How easily l
might that authority be abused when the mind |
is unbalanced by drink and the seductive in |
fiuence5 of designing parties is brought to bear
to accomplish some INSCRIPTIONS results.
The day has passed in Louisiana when men |
are promoted to office without some enquiry
into their moral character, especially in the |
hill sections of the State, where morals are |
given more than a passing notice and intempe-
rance is regarded as being little better than a /
crime.
Goodness and deliberation should characterize
executive action at all times, and dignity and
spotless purity should be the only passport to
me Executive Mansion. Who will contend
that these essentials can be found in the man
who INDUCES in the mind and principle des-
,roying wine cup 7 Who will contend that men
Who are addicted to such habits and occupy
official position are not more or less under cor
'upt influence and more easily led astray than
hose who lead a temperate life2 Who will
contend that the Incorporate habits OF the
chief Executive of this State do not leave a
effect upon the morals OF the
,oung men OF the country who aspire to polit-
cal preferment? Louisiana has too much at
take to place her destiny in the hands of a
nan who has not the firmnes to shun the wine
up and the pride to avoid beastly intoxication.
What the people demand is less intemperance !
q office. even ii it has to be had at the expense
+ intellect -