The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1883-08-29
COMMUNICATED.
A FRIENDLY WORD TO GRIP

EDITOR DEMOCRAT -
In the last issue of the estate Central
appeared communication
from rip" which challenges attention
BY the bold and positive character Of its
ntterances. Generally speaking, l en-
aorse tho views of the writer: But
there are some things said by him
which, In my opinion, had better be
left unsaid by so sincere friend OF Mr..
Jeffries' candidacy as Grip" evidently
is. can assure him that l. am quite as
warm supporter of Mr.. Jeffries as he
can possibly be. unite with "Rip"in
,he eloquent and deserved tribute lie
paws Mr.. Jeffries. To what he says
a bout his wealth, will add this: The
possession of An ample competence has
never operated to prevent Mr.. Jeffries
from being keenly alive to, and in full
sympathy, with the needs of the great
mass Of the laboring people. The fact
that h. Is more blessed with worldly
goods than many others in our poverty
stricken section has never made him
think he was better than Others. All
classes and conditions Of people receive
from him kind and considerable treat
ment. The many mechanics Of this
Town who have at various times In past
years worked for him at his house will
readily bear witness that they received
from him the same hospitality and con-
sideration tor their wants that would
have been extended to invited guests ;
and we all know how we'll tie is esteem
ed by the laboring farmers OF our pine
hills. There are some conclusions
drawn by Grip" in regard to Mr.. JEFF
fries and the express" which con.
slider unwarranted. But that is a sub.
ject which can be more properly han.
died by the Editor Of that paper than
by myself. presume that in Justice to
MIR. Jeffries as well as to himself. he
will speedily do it. ! therefore shall say
no more on that subject.
rip is evidently strong friend of,
and believer in, General Ogden. II he
thinks that gentleman has been unjust.
ly criticised by the express" 1t IL
well anil proper that "Trip" should de-
fend him. Iagree with him in his high
estimate of Gen. Og'len's character, and
in my opinion it needs no vindicatior
here. There is no danger that the pco'
pie of Rapides will consider Ogden
"rinyster" or a ",rickster." His Who'll.
life refutes such an accusation. Moth
ing In his present comrse indicates II
even If it he true that he is supported
ny Fitzpatrick and Meallie, and even i
it be true that they are "ringtrrs," ant
neither affirm or deny that they are
Let me assure Grip" that to my per
sonal knowledge MIR. Jeffrirs' apprecia
ton of Gen. Ogden's high character |!
not less than his own. He would be tn
last man to desire to see that character
assailei. "Trip" says that Gen. Ogder
will be his second choice and the secOnt
choice of Rapides. This statement is
in my opinion, calculated to injnre tn
cause Of Mr.. Jeffri-s. do not flint
fault with the opinion, but with tn
public expression of it at this time |
"Trip" will consider this question.
think he will agree with ME. 1t tn
future Rapiles del egation were to an
n"unce before the Convention, met tina
they intended to support Ogden if Mr.
Jcftries could not be nominated. it ain
ply would be Strengthening Mir. Jcffrie
in advance. 1t would virtually amour
to telling Ogdeu that if he held out Ion;
enough Rapiles would drop Mr.. Jeffrie
and come to him. As a matter of fact
! 10 not know that Gen. Ogden woul
be the second choice of Rapides. If
SECOND choice had to be made. I lav
no authority to speak tor my Parish o.
that point. In my individual opinin
Rapides would surely prefer Ogden t
McEnery. 1t is natural that she shOnl,
The former has relatives and man
warm personal friends here, while tn
latter has not. The name of Ogden
cherished with pride in Rapides, b.
cause it ia associated with her past RI
nown. The same is not true of McEt
"ry. But "Trip" evidently assumes hs
McEnery. Ogden and Jeffries will h
the only candidates before the COnve,
ton. How do. 9 he know this? vel
ture the assertion that he will see a hal
dozen pronounced ones there. and
large number Of clark horses" held /
reserve. Some of these gentleme
might be the equals Of Gen. Ogden
all respects. they might be from GU
section Of country, and I cannot So
their claims would receive no consider
alton iron, our hands. But crrtainl
their friends would not favor our car
di.late (their own being withdrawn)
we hai shown that We would NV. f;
vor them. So it does not follow tn;
Mr.. Jtffrips can receive no additiO
Of strength except from Oyien's TO
lowers; but the course indicated
RIP" would certainly ALLEVIATE tn
friends Of o'h"r candidates. Grip" IN
the undoubted right to prefer Gen. o.
den for second choice. fle has the IN
doubted right to prefer him for fir,
ch"ire If his inclinations 80 prompted
But he prefers Mr.. Jrffrirs. anil u
workers In common cause, submit
to him that it is more prudent to H.
second choices alone. Have one by al
means if desired, bit do not publish 1t
warrant that Ogden's supporters will
not publish the fact that Mr.. J-ffries
their second choice. Think the arden
nature of rip" in his desire to drfpn
Gen. Ogden led him into 'his indiscr-
ton. H. says he wishes James .Jrffrip
to stay in the race until he wins.
think the way to make him win is to le
him stay there. SAN.