The Opelousas courier., 1884-03-29


Hon. LEON JAsTREMsKI,
Chairman Democratic State Central
Committee, Baton Rouge, La.
DEAR SIR: [ See that the Executive
Committee OF our party have arranged
for through canvass of the State, com
mencing at Franklin on the 18th inst,
and that they have Ine ME the honor
to announce me as one of the speakers.
| greatly regret that my duties in the
Senate will prevent me from taking
part in the canvass, as it would other
wise give me great pleasure to do.
For The next six weeks, questions of
the greatest Importance to our people
will come up for action in Congress, and
l cannot with safety be absent from my
seat. Then, as u member Of the COM
mittee charged with the investigation of
(so- called) Cophia county outrages, I
am bound to watch the interest of our
Mississippi neighbors and to defend them
and the, Democratic party, from this at
tempt to revive the "bloody Shirt" and
to rekindle the issues of sectionalism and
hate.
feel however, that with the array of
talent which you have called to the
front that shall not be missed, and
that the claims of the Democratic party,
and of its chosen and bonored standard
bearer, will be fully set forth and vim
dicated.
The result of our State election will
be an overwhelming victory. The Re-
publican ticket has been placed in the
field without hope or desire of success,
but as it is the good fortune of the gal
liant Democracy of Louisiana to be plac-
ed in front in the campaign of 1884, to
have the privilege of firing the first gun,
and of making the first charge, they
should see to it that their vote should be
so large and their majority SO great as
to enable them to maintain the post of
honor, which has fallen to their lot, and
at the same time give encouragement to
thetgrand old Democratic army, which
is organizing for victory all over the
land
The claim which is made by the Re-
publican party in Louisiana, that the ma
tional organization, in and out of Con-
gress, are more favorable to Louisiana
IHGCtGStc LE1Ai blC pas Is
wholly untrue. The best friends of our
sugar interests are found in the Demo
cratic party, and its greatest danger
lies in the fact that the sugar tariff is a
revenue tariff, and as such obnoxious to
the protectionists, who desire to reduce
revenue, and at the same time to pre-
serve the prohibitory and oppressive
duties upon their manufactures, al
ready fostered into monopolies.
So with the improvement of the Mis-
sissippi river and rivers and harbors.
While these are not party questions, and
happily, have conquered opposition,
yet the records will show a larger Demo-
cratic vote in their favor, and larger
Republican vote against them; and the
people will not soon forget that the last
river and harbor bill containing the ap-
preparation for the Mississippi river) was
vetoed by Republican President.
1t is bad time for Democrats to fal-
ter in their devotion and duty to their
party when Presidential campaign is
about opening which, if the Republican
leaders can SO direct it, is TO be fought on
no economic issues, on no questions of
JuElIIy IdAdbIOus vi ClSI It1OIHI. pub Uu
the bloody shirt, investigation and SLAM
der of the Southern people, and propes-
ed interference with their elections and
State governments.
This is the plan of campaign which is
being arranged by Sherman and Ma
hone and Hoar and Chalmers and others,
at the inception of which Democrats In
Louisiana are invited to folsake their
party, and either support the Republi-
can ticket or organize az Independent
movement, which will lead it's followers
into the same caInp as it has Gene in
Virginia and Mississ ppi.
The hope of the people of Louisiana,
as of the people of this country, is in
the Democratic party. We have tried
the Repn blican party in our State, and
in the government If the Nation. We
have rid ourselves ofits baneful infu-
ence at home. Let as maintain cur or
ganization, and continue the good fight
until it it is driven from the high places
of the Nation.
In conclusion, / repeat that it would
be to me labor of love, as well as a
matter of personal interest, to take part
in the proposed canvass, but the people
have assigned me to other duties, which
/ cannot neglect, and ia attending to
which I can serve them better than up
on the stump.
In the Presidential campaign | hope
and expect to take an active part in the
canvass of our State, and must defer
until then my visits to the parishes.
Very respectfully,
B. f. JONAS.