The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-08-11
FROM MR.. E. G. HUNTER.
ALEXANDRIA, La, !
Aug. 6, 'SG. !

Out do IuO il!OSSt VI 1AO ASooiuoAo" 80
the last convention to le-organize the
Executive Committee, | feel it my du-
ty in Justice to myself and the conven-
ton to answer the editorial written for
you, or suggested to You by commit
tee "of the faithful" which appeared
in Your issue of the 4th inst.
They have taken it upon themselves,
through you, to denounce That resolu-
ton and the action of the convention
thereon as "without warrant of author
ity, contrary to established usages of
the party in the parish from time i'm
memoriap-as Crank usurpation and
revolutionary" They have ordered,
adijudged and decreed, that the people
of this parish, although in convention
assembled, have no authority to re-or-
ganize the committee except once in
four years, and by mass meeting, just
before the State convention. Now,
let US discuss these propositions in their
order. 1t is not my purpose to wound
the feelings of any one, nor shall |
deal now or hereafter in personalities,
unless forced to do so by those with
whom upon these questions | differ.
In the first place, let me reply to your
insinuation that this was not repre-
sentative convention, and that if every
ward had been represented the result
would have been different-if every
ward had been represented there would
have been Is votes in the convention.
The convention cast 60 votes on my
motion-22 against it, and SO for it.
In other words there was only II votes
wanting to make a full convention
Now, let US say that those II votes
would have been cast against the mo-
ton, then the vote would have stood:
against the motion, 80; for the motion,
3s. The result could not have been
changed. The only thing that the
fathers can urge against this statement
is-"we were not expecting sncl Il mo-
ton; we thought that if we would let
you get Blanchard through, you would
be satisfied; we have not had time
to pill the aires as we would have de-
feated any such a set of outrageous
Youngsters"
As to tho next question. In what
was the convention revolutionary p
What did it usurp? Who did they re-
volt against Not against the people,
because the convention was composed
of the people, and they could not re-
volt against themselves. Whose pow
er did the convention usurp? Not the
power of the people, because they
could not usarp that which belonged
to them. The convention may or may
not have revolted against few of the
self-constituted leaders who have been
for many years holding the reins and
welding the rod. This nonsense and
catch.penny stuff about revolution and
uswpation will not take. The "dear
people" now, not long since Seattle"
are not such fools as some people
think them.
AS to the next point. What au-
thority have you for the statement that
this committee was appointed by mass
meeting for a period of four years {!
The holding of the State convention
has had nothing to do with the ap-
pointment of one committee; the rule
has been to organize the committee
at the first convention or mass meeting
after an election. This committee has
performed the duties for which it was
appointed. This convention was the
first since the last election. But sup
pose you were correct as to the usage.
Do you know of any reason why the
people should not change the custom
if they saw proper to do so? They
are sovereign-the committee is the
creature, and can have no more power
than the author of its being. If the
next convention sees proper to remove
Judge Ryan's committee, it will have
the right to do so.
believe in the supremacy Of the
people, in their right to manage their
affairs to suit themselves. AS to mass
meetings-it is a fact within your
knowledge that at the mass meeting
which selected congressional delegates
two years ago, Judge Blackman Of
fered a resolution which was adopted,
that hereafter mass meetings should
not elect delegates, but it should be
done by convention. 1t was in conse-
quence of this that the committee
called the last convention. 1t is also
a fact that the mass meetings are COM
posed almost entirely of people who
live in Alcxandria-the wards are not
represented.
Now, Mr.. Editor, in this article Of
yours, you do Judge Ryan great injus.
itch. The published proceedings Of
the convention in the same issue, prove
the incorrectness of your charges.
You should correct this in justice to
yourself.
In conclusion let me say that my
motion was not made for selfish ends
The committee appointed by Judge
Ryan is composed of men who have
always opposed me. | don't think