St. Landry democrat., 1884-08-09
No Danger i'm Discussion.
Baton Rouge Truth.

Free discussion is not apt to be highly
relished by those who possess any spe-
cial privilege or power, the exercise of
which is not likely to be sustained when
we'll understood by the people at large.
It is therefore not surprising that
those papers which are generally con-
Sidered to be the organs of that portion
of the Democratic party in this State
that control governmental affairs should
deprecate all discussion that might re-
snlt in popular dissatisfaction with the
methods of those ruling the destinies,
and enjoying the advantages derived
from the domination of that party. We
are notnumbered among those who are
afraid Of free discussion. Since the
world began there has been no remedy
more. potent in fact there has hardly
been any very effective remedy for all
manner Of wrongs than this same Stree
discussion" We don't believe that ''any
publishing to the world" Of the true
state of affairs therein existing ever was
ortevsr will be of ultimate disadvan-
tage TO any country under the sun.
No amount of deserved efalt-fnding
with the doings,of lawmakers and Of
aicials is, in our opinion one-half so bad;
can,do ane-half the harm to the State
that the existence and unquestioned
domination of a single INSCRIPTIONS
andunrestrained "ring or clique" can
do.
Solar from being "a curse to the
State, 1--WE have an abiding faith that
the "croakers and GROWERS" will
yet,proVe themselves the salvation of
everything that pertains to the old
democratic principles ga government of
the.people, for the people, by the peo-
ple." 1t is the "croakers and GROWERS"
thatwe now place our hOpe.of the ulti-
mate prosperity Of Louisiana.
With a general popular acquiescence
and,a press silent as to the abuses of
power that havePeen or might be per
petrated by the democratic party sim
ply because it is sour party,n our State
would be in a deplorable condition in
deed. The memorable sway Of public
opinion must have constant and free
scope in the exercise Of its regulating
aud purifying power.
The grounds upon which Louisiana
ahould base her claims upon the atten-
fitDn of the world-the incompatible
pr,sductiVeness other soil, the match
les climate she possesses and her thou
san d and one natural advantages are
real, and genuine, and il properly pub
Iish, I'd will most certainly suffice to
brin, about that impulse Of immigra-
ton 70 earnestly desired by her people.
Even were itnot unfair, even dishonest,
it won Id not be wise to try by conceal
ment otherwise to deceive the world
Al to th political situation. Such at
tempts, J Il made, wouldin the end result
most dis astrously to the whole State
and the ii ne mission of the press of
Louisiana, as we understand it, isfbold
". fearless ", and heartily to prosecute
the fiRhtag alnst everything the faintest
sembIance political fraud, corruption
or ringism. This fight earnestly, hon
estly and fea tfessly made will, in the
and. be the gr sst cause that will impress
mon the mino y of the people of the
-rorld that Lou tsiana is not only natu-
rally. but eivilly,, the proper home for
Al intelligent, no nest and free people.
The real danger to our people is over.
,ome when that di aposition is dispelIedi
hat would make us quietly and I'M
yuestionably submit to any and every
hing that may be cl, 1thed in tile appar-
i Of Democracy siml Wy on account Of |
he covering, and whe q we begin to in
list upon the exercise OF the genuine
right of gen nine representa-
i've rule.
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