The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1884-10-18
Democratic Speaking and Barbe
cue at 0pelousas.

AS previously announced, the Demo
cratic ratification meeting took place on
last Thursday, the 10Th inst. Judge j,
Nj. Moore was called to the chair and
explained the object of the meeting in
brief but forcible speech. The follow.
ing named gentlemen were appointed
vice. presidents: Messrs. Fl. L Garland,
B. II. Littell, L. A. Black, T. S Fonte-
not, C. Nj. Daiy, P D. Richard, B. a.
Martel, E. D. Estilstte, Sam Haas, Paul
Stagg, Sol Harnan, G, w Foreman,
John Roy and Chas. Oossman. Mr. Jno.
NJ. Martin was appointed Secretary. MIR.
Martin offered the following resolution,
which was unanimously adopted
Resolved that this mass meeting of
the democrats of St. Landry most heart
ily and earnestly endorse and ratify the
nomination of Grover Cleveland for
President and Thos. A. Hendricks for
Vice President of the United States.
Resolved further, that we heartily
ratify the nomination of the Hon. A. B.
Irion for Congress from this District
and we urge upon the democracy of St
Landry to rally uuitedly to the support
of our nominees for these high and res
ponsible offices on the 4th day of Nov
emher next.
Hon. II. L. Garland then introduced
the speakers who are canvassiug our
congressional district, Judge Irion and
Col. Thorpe, of Avoyelles, and paid a
fitting compliment to both gentlemen
In alluding to Judge I,ion as TIE noIni.
nee for Congress, he said that he was a
man who had filled every position In
public and private life with marked
ability and fidelity, and was >in every
way worthy of the united support of
the voters of his district. In speaking
of Mr.. G. G. Swayze, who is opposing
Judge Trion, as the nominee OF the Re
publican party, Mr. Garland said that,
personally, he liked Mr. Swayze, but
that he was not the man for the people
to support for Congress. That Mr..
Swayze had been life long. Democrat
until a few weeks age. when he broke
| faith with his party and joinedthe ranks
of the Republicans for the sake Of office
That such detection could not com mand
/ the, confidence of anybody, and that
personal feelings for u man shonld not
! influence our ballots when voting fof
men to fill responsible offices of public
| Importance. HetIen introduced Judge
I Ifion who acknowledged III modestterms
the tributes paid him by Judge Moore
1 and Mr.. Garland. He paid a tribute &c
] the work of his predecessor (Hon. E. I
/ Lewis), and said if elected lImseli
would eDdeavor to serve his district
/ faithfully and to the best of his ability
| He made searching review of the nab
/ lie life of Blaine, read documentary evi'
dence of his corrupt railroad schemes II
j Congress, his correspondence with Mul-
4 ligan, &C., and declared that he wal
not the man to be made chief nagis
| trate of the United States. He tler
! contrasted Cleveland's brilliant, honest
public life to that of his opponent, and
said that he was @ statesman TO carry
out all reforms that might be inangu
rated BY Il Democratic administration
1 Judge Irian spoke about two hours ant
covered all of the salient points of til
campaign. Col Thorpe followed in /
stirring and farcible speech. He aT
raigned the Republican fiarty on its diff
ferent administrations ofoppressien aia'
/ corruption, condemned their election
4 methods If the waving Of the blood.
Y shirt, springing sectional issues aud cry
ing tariff, tariff, tariff and protection Z
iioodwink labor and divert the publ
mind from reform and retrenehneni
He advocated asolid South OF Dem
ocrats until the rule of the Republical
party was broken. Before closing, Go
Thorpe addressed aofne sound advice I
J the colored people, Of whom quite
number were present, telling then, ths
their true interests were best protecte
s by tho Democratic party. His apeec
was an able and an effective one, an
was listened to with great attention
The meeting then adjourned to discu:
the barbecued meats Of which there vi
an abundance. Later in the eyenin
, other speeches were made by home orr
tors. but a press Of business preveDte
Nc from hearing them.