The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1883-10-20
MAsTERLY INACTIVITY.

nom Official position are considered
Ileaders-for their utter inactivity i'll
party matters. Itseemed that while
theDemocratic phalanxes were being
mustered and drilled, there ought to
be something like corresponding
activity among ourselvelves. That
supineness, when the enemy's camp
was active, was plain dereliction
of patriotic duty,
We, now, however, are not so sure
that as matter OF policy, present
Republican inactivity is not equally
as effective.
The present animosities which, for
some time, have arisen among our
Democratic brethren, and which
daily are becoming more bitter and
personal, may be more conducive to
the ultimate overthrow of the dy-
nasty which, though in numerical
minority, control the affairs of State
and municipal government through
out the State. than any organized ac-
ton Republican opposition could be,
There have often been domestic
political tends, leading, at times, to
fatal disoI ganization Of party
strength; but for downright bitter
warfare within the ranksof the same
party, the quarrel now waxing within
the Louisiana Democratic family
bids fair to exceed any American
precedent.
Were the charges respectively
brought by the different factions
against each. other as published in
their newspapers, to be taken as
true, the conclusion would be inev
liable that there exists no such
political virtue or integrity in the
leaders of either faction, as to war
! rant the people in longer trusting
them with control of public affairs.
The whole Democratic press of the
State seems alive only to the weak
nesses, and political offences of either
present officials or prominent aspir
ants for place. Not only are charges
thus,it would seem, recklessly made,
but their readers are not asked to
take the editors simple statement OF
the verify Of the charges, but care
fully prepared proof is furnished
al nGaseatn,. All this with bitterness
Of language that hardly can fail of
personal rencouuters,
In ordinary cases the HERALD
would, alike politically and person
ally, regret to see this unpleasant
condition, existing among its politi
cal opponents. AS a general rule,
it believes in an open political con
test, wherein the members of respec
tive parties are united, solidly and
tremendously arrayed one against
the other. But. to make such con
tests fair, there must be fair cleo
itions, by which each party can pre-
sent its principles and men to the
suffrages OF the people with some
kind of likelihood that they will, at
the hustlngs and election booths be
fairly treated. e.n
When, AS is the unquestioned truth
in Louisiana, no such condition of a
fair political canvass exists; when
first through force and violence, the
majority of electors were practically
deprived OF their suffrages; when
power thus obtained was nsed, thro'
fraud to perpetrate itself; whennom
nations by the dominent party be.
came tantamount to election; when
such became the condition of Louis
iana,it were indeed well that fraud.
ulent, corrupt tyranny should be
attached by a canker within itself to
destroy its unfairly obtained politi
cal power.
While this family quarrel is pro
crossing, Republicans need be but
passive observers of the contest. In
such cases experience has shown
that apparent inactivity ON part of
theopposition issometimes mastery
and wise.
We are pleased to announce the.
return of Rev.Dr., w. S. Alexander,
the worthy President OF ''Straight