St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-03-08
FAVORITISNE.
Mansfield Herald.

In the earlier days Of history, favorit.
ism on the part of those in high places
was not an uncommon thing. Under 6
monarchical or an aristocratic form oil
government it compOses, as it were
part OF the body polite, and is there.
| tore IN a measure excusable, Darticu-
larry as 1T conforms strictly to the prin-
cIples OF oppression SO characteristic of
such governments.
But under our free and unselfsh Re
publican government, both National
ana State, tavOritism on part Of those
VINO mold the helm, too freely and sol
ldly exercised, has ever been denounced
as lmpolltlc, undemocratic and unwise.
1t IS a principle our forefathers scorned
as not belonging to American indepen-
dence, In all ages it has been the bane
ana curse TO successful rule, and not un-
frequently nave we read of cases where
the props OF kingdoms wore disintegra-
teu ana peace OVerthrOWn on account
of it.
Nevertheless, favoritism in it's most
serious form is occasionally obvious in
our own country. Favoritism, born of
prejudice to opposition and biud zeal
IN the love OF self. just such favoritism
has characterized our Chief State Exec
96lVe since the action OF the late Baton
Rouge Convention that nominated him
Tor second term. Before that Con-
Ventlon Gov. McEnery met at the hands
OF many OF the people of this State
earnest but honorable opposition. They
believed that he had not made for
louisiana such a governor as she just
at this time needs and deserves, They
opposed him strictly on the platform he
had by this official conduct marked out
and adopted for himself. In face of all
tins he received the nomination, aud
the peopled yielded with dignity to
what they conceived to be the will of
the democratic party. Since then Gov.
McEnery has persistently and stead
tasty refused to appoint any man to
office who did not favor that nomina-
ton until it was made plain to him that
the vacancy In question could not 9th
erwise be filled.
Now, when two candidates of equal
competency, one McEnery man and
tue other not, send up a petition with
an equal number OF names signed there
TO, for appointment TO some official pO-
siti0n, no blame would attack to Gov.
McEnery for giving his man the prefer
ence. But when, as in the parish of
Red River, an appointment was recent
Iy conferred upon McEnery man,
backed by petitition bearing only five
signatures, in the face Of the Pc
tition OF an anti McEnery man,
fully competent for the position, who
was the unanimous choice of his people,
and who had five hundred names of the
best citizens of the parish signed thereto
we say that it is certainly unfair, unjust
and oppressive. Away with such dem
ocracy. Our knowledge of that time
lonOred term is that it means govern |
ment of the people, for the people by
the people. Is it democratic, then, |
for Gov. McEnery, to appoint men to
office whom no one wants, and to whom /
the people are soIidly 0pposen |
Was it dem ocratic for him to |
refuse to appoint as sheriff of the Par /
ish of Sabiile one who had received the
and unanimous endorsement of |
his people, because he was not a McEn- I
cry man We all know that he did /
thus refuse until it was made plain to /
him that there was not McEnery man /
n that parish.
We are not surprised when we re-
iect that such has ever been the style I
If McEnery and the influences that
him, but we do say that when
savoritism reaches such fearful proper
ions, it should meet the condemnation
If all liberty flowing people.