St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1883-11-24
Ogden's Platform.
WHAT HE SAYS TO DON CAFFREY IN RE
LATION TO SOME POINTS.-WHEREH liz
STANDS ON THE LOTTERY QUESTION.
5 New ORLEANS, Oct. 80, 1888.

Il f # -
| New ORLEANS, Oct. ~, 1883.
Hon. Don Caffrey, Franklin, La:
My Dear Sr.-1our esteemed favor
of the 9th inst. is before me, and care
| fully note what you say with regard to
Ilenge, to enter with him upon an open
and public discussion Of the political
situation as presented in the approach
| ing gubernatorial contest. While am
not unwilling to discuss publicly the
| important questions now pending before
the public, and would not hesitate from
| the stump to denounce the rings and
monopolies,.in the lead of which stands
unblushinely the Louisiana State Lot
| terry, which "presses like foul incubus
on the constitution" and whose Wither-
| ing touch has casta gloom over our en-
tire State, and whose unhallowed gains
are now, firmly believe, being used to
stifie the voice of the people, yet, with
all Difference to your expressed opinions,
believe the issues presented In the APP
preaching contest are so sharply drawn,
and the political platform OF the .guber-
material candidates are SO we'll known,
that even public discussion OF them
from the stump can add but little weight
to the position already assumed by the
able, in my humble capacity, to make
my views and sentiments known, |
scarcely think there can be any doubt
as to my position on the subject of rings,
monopolies and Howard's lottery. |
have already, before the State, present.
ed my reasons in concrete form. have
acted ont my sentiments, even when so
doing, at times seemingly threatened,
deeply to my sorrow and regret, to weak
Ell ties which were and are now mani
fold dear to me, and which were hallow-
ed by the sorrows and blood and death
OF loved companions. There are times
in the history of men when they are
called upon to express freely and fear
lessly the opinions which are to be the
guides of their conduct. In thus hesi-
tatlngly expressing mine to you, 1T is an
evidence of my sincere desire that the
citizens of this State should not be in
doubt as to my condemnation OF the
Louisiana State Lottery, which has en-
tailed SO much sorrow and suffering up
on our people. It is not necessary upon
the stump to meet other candidates and
point out the decentralization and ruin
wrought by the Louisiana State Lottery
Company. Why is it that the Lottery
Company has become so important a
factor in the political history OF our
State Why is it that the money OBJ
tanned through such channels should
now be, as am convinced it is, one OF
the principal obstacles to the States re-
turn to honest economy and good gov
ernmenta 1t is not evident that a
healthy condition of affairs, with good
schools for the children of the State,
with wholesome instruction for the
young, showing them that wealth is not
to be acquired in a minute or by the
turning of wlleel-with the removal,
in other words, of a gambling system
which is fast disgracing our homes and
families-is it not evident, | say, that
in a return to honest industry by the
overthrowing of the political influence
of this Lottery Company that we can
have hope of riyaling some OF our. sister
Southern States in progress, influence
and culture
aItis the hope Of every good citizen of
this State that soon, IN the place OF
rings, monopolies and lotteries, which
are fast absorbing all the treasure OF
the State, there will spring up manufac.
tories and honest industries, which will
command the energies and the capital
of our citizens and fill their homes with
plenty and peace. | gave my humble
services to the overthrow OF Radicalism
in this State, because | knew the system
to be full of ruin to our people, and |
again surrender myself to my friends to
be used in expelling from the Demo-
cratic ranks "a system OF politics incul-
Gated by Republicans, and which can
only continue us in misfortune and dis
grace.
With grateful thanks for the kind ex-
pressions in your letter, and your warm
advocacy Of my cause, have the honor
to remain, with sentiments of profound
most obedient servant and friend,
FRED N. OGDEN.
Madison Parish.
New ORLEANS, Nov. "A. w. Gran