The Opelousas courier., 1883-05-26
WORD Of Caution.
Baton Rouge Capitolian-Adyocate.I

in the country having launched on the
full tide of invective against the powers
that be, aud finding it enjoyable, do not
want to be arrested by the prudential
suggestion advanced by us that they are
a little premature in starting the next
campaign. They demur by saying that
a proud free press ought to be aroused
and vigilant, and they imply that full
concurrence IN their style Of vehement
Remuneration is the only guarantee of
patriotic devotion to the public good.
But if our contemporaries commit them
selves to this policy SO early in the cam
paign, we want them to be consistent
and logical. Let them take the Jour
nails of the General Assembly and hold
each member TO a direct responsibility
for his vote on the measures condemned
so violently. Many grievances we're
authorized by legislative action. Why,
in the exercise of it's high functions,
does not the vigilant and FESTIVE press
push these questions home on tie repre-
sentatives of their own districts Such
sensitive regard for the public interest
ought not TO be restrained iu its criti-
cisn1s by personal prejudices or by 10.
cal interests.
When a test is thus applied to the
g~enuineness of this reform sentiment, 1t
is seen that such special application
would be disastrous to the pablo inter
est. 1t would involve such acrimonious
discussion that all cohesion ia the party
would be lost. But is not a similar
danger likely to be incurred from the
general terms Of the hostile comment
now p~revalent7 In nearly every par
ish in the State the Democratic party
is divided into warning factions. Ia
their mutual examinations they forget
that they have a common enem5 who
will be thoroughly organized in the next
campaign, and who will adroitly use
disseasioDs in the Democratic party for
his own advantage. His success in the
campaign would be 10 disastrous to
every interest in Louisiana that it would
dishearten the people beyond ali hope
of the recovery of confidence. What
ever may BIO the evils, real or imaginary
of the present regime, they would sink
into insignifcance in the eataclysn o.
such q defeat.
We do not deprscate criticism on an,
public servant. We are the apologies
for no official. But there are two kind
of criticism. One a temperate, deanir'
specification of offences ; the other
passionate outcry and a clamorous ap
peal to prejudice.
We do not exaggerate the danger. |
a more conciliatory spirit is not intro
duced into the..discussion of public ques
tions by the Democratic press there i
the gravest, danger that discord will di
vide the party and that defeat will fol
low. A Republican State administra
ton would be, simply ruin, nothin
more nor less. The appointment 4
Police Jurors..by a Republican Govern
! or, would By itself alone d~isorganize th
parishes from centre to circumference.
We speak in-sthis.matter as a Demo
) crat to Democrats. We believe tina
the Democratic party is the only HOP
, for Louisiana, and that the integrity j.
!. its organization should be the object
deepest concern and of untiring sole
tude. It has prodigious obstacles
] contend against, caused by the exteT
!. sion of the suffrage and the long demon
: alization of the reconstruction psrio'
!. The situation, therefore, requires pa
b thence, moderation and the spirit
d generous consideration of the difdeu
Q ties involved in the public adminietr,
ton.
The time has come, therefore, for
rally Of Democrats. There are to
many who recognise no fealty to tl
0 party, but who claim equal voice In i
councils. There are too many who vi
J applaud the party 80 long as it confel
] honors on their favorites, but who de
9 pise the restraints of party disciplln
0 We want to see q revival among I'll
9 Democrats through thick and thin, wf
. stick to the party u~nreservedly, becaul
they belieye that its organization Is g.
! s~ential for the preservation of goc
government. under the peculiar cond
: tions of Dur society. These know no
g to make their objections to candidate
known, when the. pairty meets in harm,
nious convention.