The Opelousas courier., 1885-06-06
Senators Gibson and Hustis.
in Points Coupee Banner

Mr.. EDlToR.-As an old Democrat
who deeply regrets to ses the party di-
vided after twenty-five years of hard
struggle for supremacy, | must protest
against tue course pursued by some oil
son and Eustis.
1t is charged that both these seua-
tors were elected by bribery, Now,
submit to every true Democrat, if such
charges are not calculated to reflect
on the party and ultimately split it
into fragments. The reputation of the
Democratic party is made ap of the rep
utation of the leaders of the party, and
if you detract from the character OF
these leaders, you detract from the par
ty The writer of this, is we'll acquaint-
ed with both Senators, and in very
quiet way had as much to do with the
election of both as any man in the
State, and if there was any corrupt
means used, he knows nothing of it,
nor does be believe there was.
IL there is one man in Louisiana
who loves his State above all else, that
man ia Gen. z. L. Gibson; if there is
one man, above all others, who would
elevate himself only by honest and
honorable competition, that man is
Gen. r. L. Gibson. The writer Of this
understands him we'll and thoroughly.
His own reputation, that of bis State
and party will always be jealously
guarded, protected and defended. He
never has and never will resort to i'm
proper measures to secure promotion,
and in political life is now classed and
ranks with the present Secretary of
State of Mr.. Cleveland's Cabinet.
Now, as to Senator Eustis, all charges
of corruption fall harmless, only they
injure the Democratic party. He is a
proud man, in the honorable sersc of
the word. His father aud grandfather
earned for themselves enviable reputa-
tions, aud Senator Eustis is ambitious
that this inherited fame shall not grow
dim through any lapse of his. Iu the
dark days of Reconstruction, be was the
trusted legal adviser of the State Dem
ocratic Central Committee, aud when
several thousand legal Democratic
voters we're to be ostrasi zed and the
State of Louisiana corruptly given 20
Blaine, this Senator appeared before
the courts as the defender Of the sacred
privilege of the peoples right to vote,
and thus gave the vote of Louisiana
10 Cleveland. 1t is folly and false to
charge him with being a Ring Demo
crat, for tio party man ID more national,
and no one has made more sacrifices to
preserve the unity ef tbs party
With Senator Gibson this writer is
ON more intimate terms, aud believes
that he only utters very general opin-
ion when stating that he is regarded
at Washington as a talented, patriotic
statesman, capable of taking broad aud
national views ON all subjects. He has
much personal influence among the
Senators and heads of Departments.
Socially, politically and mentally he is
the coinpeer of the most distinguished
men at the capitol.
Such are our Senators. No one can
contradict what is above stated. Why
then will some indiscrest friends of
both make reckless charges, calculated
to injare both the principals aud to
split into fragments the unity of the
party Z Are we so strong that we need
fear no division Z Look at the sena-
torial election in Illinois and see the
effect of divided councils, and notice as
its result that Kellogg predicts success
in 1883. Let us not fall out about the
spoils. Cleveland was elected az a
Democrat, and as such We have a right
to expect him to appoint Democrats
to Office. Surely, we are not going to
quarrel about the men who are to fill
the Offices, provided the President
keeps within the party to make his se-
leetions. re Mr.. Cleveland proves to
be the true man he was supposed to be,
and if indiscreet partisan friends will
stop their abuse of our Senators aud
Representatives., aud if the people will
distrust those who are constantly talk
ing of ring rule, the Democratic party
will grow stronger aud stronger, and
with its growth will strengthen everT
material interest of this State and of
the United States.
For the sake Of the reputation of our
State, for the perpetuity of Democratic
principles, for tile preservation of the
Democratic party, let us froWn down
all attempts to divide the Democratic
party By assailing the reputation of our
prominent men. LII union there is
stTengtb-in division there Is weakness
and defeat. PofNTE COUPE.
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