The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1889-05-11
SATURDAY, MAY II. 1889.
THE LESSON OF THE HOUR.

THE LESSON OF THE HOUR.
The excitement Of the week has
been the Lafayette election troubles.
Armed men from the neighboring par
ish Of St. Martin invaded the town Of
Lafayette and broke up the municipal
election. Luckily, it was a bloodless
affair. Wild threats were made and
hostile demonstrations we're lesorted
to, but apparently for the sole purpose
of intimidation. The object OF the
regulated was to prevent the negroes
from voting i; they accomplished more
-tkey PINT u stop to all voting.
Many conflicting reports Of the affair
were circulated, but the real facts of
the case seem to be that q serious fac
tional fght-the continuation Of the
late factional gubernatorial contest
had sprung up between the whites,
who had put forward two municipal
tickets in the field. One faction wanted
the negro vote, and the other swore
the colored brother should not have-a
voice in the matter of the selection
Of the "city fathers" of Lafayette.
Hence all. this blood and thunder.
However much this state OF things.
Is % be deplored, and We would. like
to see peace aud quiet reign supreme
in our fair Southland. it would be un-
wise to close our eyes to the fact that
this unsettled condition of society is
directly traceable to political discord
and division among the whites. The
seed Of discord was sown during the
late Democratic contest for the COVER
norship. The object in view then was
the reaching ofthe gubernatorial goal
questionable means were resorted to
for that purpose; ordinations aud re-
ordinations were INDUCED in without
limit !; passions were aroused and po-
litical hatreds engendered, threaten
ing the safety Of the Democracy ; and
then, when. the goal Was reached and
the psssions had subsidized somewhat
and reason had begun to reassert its
sway, the leaders looked around them
and, appalled, ut the threatened ruin,
began pouring oil on the troubled
waters to sppesse the aroused popu-
lace.
It was nc easy task. By the laud-
able efforts Of patriotic leaders the
spirit Of discord was restrained in the
presence Of the common enemy and q
united front presented to the foe. But
this seems to have been but = temper
airy truce, for, like Banquo's ghost, the
discord will not down, but must now
and then, here and there, rise to dis
tnrb ~ruthlessly the repose Of the Demo
aracy. It had own unwisely; it has
now begun reaping the whirlwind.
But let not its leaders despair. It.
il not too late to remedy the evil
The Democracy is threatened by ano-
thcr common evil, and ita enemies
glibly talk of recruiting from its die
aEsetsl ranks N impossible white
Republican party.
tt disappointing foe 10 .seekips
to take advantage Of its family dis
0sossts gain N sacondancy in the
ststa By widening the breach in the
DsnGer6tic saaks: The corpse Of the
~ Rspubaiesa pssty~ia hsins rssss-
rssssd ssa ~ attempt il, being nade
b.1sgalvaniss.ieenA elothe il lin the
Ashiiineet. q respsctability with s.
Ny = s.asaas dis.aEscssd Demo
Tr~s, nothing Il likely to como al
~AtsAHk.ne~sneat e the, Republi.
- psssy:.. ~ to- .saaapareas* 81
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