The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-09-01
Address to the Democratic Voters Of
Rapides Parish.

The Executive Committee of the
Democratic party of Rapides in max
ing call for a Convention of the
Democrats of the Parish, deem it their
duty to state briefly the causes which
have led to this unusual action.
At meeting of the Executive Com
mittee on July 10th, for the purpose of
determining the time and manner of
selecting delegates to the Congression-
al Convention to be held in Shrcve-
port on August Bird, resolution was
adopted to the effect thet primary cleo
tons should be held in each Ward to
select delegates to a Convention to be
held in Alexandra on July 2Sth.
In pursuance of this resolution, cleo
tons were held in the several Wards,
and the Convention met at the time
aud place designated.
The Convention was organized and
proceeded to its legitimate work and
elected delegates to the Congressional
Convention. When this had been
done the work of the Convention was
complete, as they had done what they
were delegated to do. But without
notice a resolution was offered to re-
organize the party and appoint new
Central Committee, which was unpre-
cedented and unwarrantcd.
1t is the unwritten law of the party,
sanctioned by long usage and custom,
both National, State and Parocbial,
that Committee shall be appointed
preceding the general election, which
has always been done in this Parish,
with one single and notable exception,
and that is in the appointment of the
present Executive Committee, which
was done by the resignation, and at
the request of the Central Committee
of one wing of the party appointed on
the 10th Of December, 1888. This
was done to harmonic the party -
there was no demand for it as we had
been united in the preceding CAM
paign.
Holding that trust directly from the
united Democracy of Rapides Parish
that had been victorious in 1884, the
Committee feel that it is q solemn and
honest duty not to surrender the trust
thus given them, until the Democratic
party after due notice, and in accord
ance with it's customs and usages
should regularly appoint its successor
The Committee wish to state thai
its members as now constituted repre-
sent all elements in the Democrat,
party and are actuated by no feeling
personal to themselves; are not aspi
rants for Office, nor expect promotion
at the hands of the party bat do de
sire its supremacy above all other con
siderations, and to this end will no
recognize feuds, schisms and factions
nor lend themselves to further the indi
vidual aspirations of any man, or Sc
of men; but are desil GUS and will see
that in SO far as their power lies tn
Democratic party shall he perpetuated
its customs and usages recognized ant
enforced.
/ We therefore appeal to the Demo
Gratis of Rapides to turn out in thei
various Wards III their sovereign ca
pacity and elect delegates to the Con
vention called by this Committee t
meet on the 18th Of September, an
maintain and preserve their party OF
ganization, and to put an end to al
feuds and schisms within the party, t
the end that the Democratic party ma
be in the future, triumphant as it ha
been i'll the past.
r. B. SMITH,
RoBT. p. HUNTER,
J, j. G. WHITE,
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