St. Landry democrat., 1883-05-12
A WORKING PUBLIC OPINION.
New Orleans Picayune.

opinion. No amount of mere legisa-
ton will reform the slightest abuse un-
less the law makers do actually express
the will of the people. But the govern
ing opinion is something more than an
abstract theory, 1t is a living sentl-
ment sustained by a sense OF urgency,
and when it is sufficiently earnest and
enthusiastic, it acquires the force OF
law without the aid of the Legislature.
" In practical politics the trouble is not
that popular opinion is in error, but
that it is passive. 1t may usually be
taken for granted that the majority Ia
yors an honest administration, because
I if for no other reason, the majority has
everything to lose and nothing to gain
from nlaladministration. But people |
who are out of Office; and who are not |
seeking office, fail to reform the abuses !
of which they complain because their
opposition is not organized, unified and
/ we'll directed. The corrupt element on
the other hand, enjoys the advantage
! of concentrated strength 1t is emil
plined and vigilant. The consequence
| is that it is often victorious even when
it is greatly outnumbered.
| Here in New Orleans, for instance,
/ the hoodlum and the ward hummer
/ never fail to vote. They vote early,
and. ifit is possible, they vote often.
! On election day they haunt the polls
from dark till dawn, and they are
/ workers to man. An individual OF
/ this class never fOrgets that llels q cltl-
zen and a voter. He attends all the
I meetings; he familiarizes himself with
j ali the details of the party machine,
and with all the legerdemaln OF polltl-
cal iugglery. He is in politics al the
time-it is his business. Accordingly,
8 with an effective strength of five or SIX
thousand, all told, out OF thirty thous-
and registered voters, the city ring
cooks up the nominations OF the So
called regular ticket, and counts itself
!; in at pleasure.
i think. That is to say, the people know
where the evil lies, and they would like
!, to see it remediedp But what we want
8 is ,corking public optnion. we want
yI sentiment of Indignation that Will
not vent itself altogether In grumbling
; and inyective. We want something
more even than registration and voting,
though it is shamfful fact that those
: imperative duties are too much neglec-
: ted, We want public spirit that will
2 NOT rest until full vote has not only
been cast, but counted.
> Tn order to do that there must be an
!. organization of honest citizens as thor
: ! oughly prepared and as much III ear
! ! nest as the organization that is to be
met and defeated. This organization,
moreover, must take the field with en-
tire indifference to every conslderatlo1nl
ulterior to the main end IN view. LII
/. must be perfectly independent. OF exist
s ing party machinery in this parish be-
e cause to acknowledge any authority
e outside of itself would be equivaient 20
: complete surrender at the very outset
: III must, above all, command the res
o meet of the best classes and overaWe the
J, ruf1ianism of the worst, by making eyl-
O dent IFS power and its disposition te
e protect itself. The majority that does
e not take care of itself does not deserve
!, success, and most certainly will not re-
d ceive it. Web protests enough, IN
ISL dignatiofl meetings enough and cour
g trials enough. The time has come tx
T. deal with the question OF pure nomlna'
+ tions and fair elections at first hand
A without any intermediary. between TINT
e people and the peoples will.
isl The Parish Democracy OF Orleans
i sential conditions, and it has taken
Ie hold of the task it has undertaken In
J. business like way that is well caicula
e ted to inspire public. confidence ant
o o sunnort. ann j It gives to public opinion til,
j. necessary organic form, and 1T provide
= the re0uisite safeguards for the suffrag
E. Il invites. We advise the friends Q
% good government to rally around TIL
l. Standard it has raised, because we se'
is no presage for the victory OF reform
10 under any other banner.
u During the. two years ending Ma.
y 1889 the Secretary Of State reported IL
" DardOns and seventeen commutatlon
u Of sentences. Does it not seem like
I, I, farce to be spending the peoples none
y !! in bringing back fugitives, and payln
= ont rewards for arrest When tnes
.; criminals are let loose upon US again
~ legions. The record OF this pardonln
y business during the last. three years
o. - one of the darkest portions OF the IN
e : dictment which the people OF Loulslan
y y have framed against the so-ca1,e 4re
u Democratic administration. In
g. courts and iuries offer little enoug
u protection to life and property, but ina
~ little is entirely swept away by III
~. outrageous use of the pardOnlng power
10 49," 0sss - Picayune.
a Gov. s. D. McEnery has prepared an
4. had nnhlished in the Capitolian- -Adve
IN cate of May 1st, a statement vinalca
h. ting his course in regard to the charge
IS. which have been made against job
te IMcEnery under his contract with th
e. State Of Louisiana. The document ls
rs, very lengthy one. He alleges tiat !, y
I'd can not be held responsible tor the 1, AZ
s. of his predecessor. Coy. ~, w =
d. made the contract which has exclted
d. much harsh criticism. The controvers
is not vet ended and, to say the leas
e. the acts Of John McEuery are calculs
It's ted to shake the confidence OF the PEE