St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-07-19
It Means Mischief.

-9e--
We note the fact that posters are OF
calling a meeting at our Court Hous
for Saturday, July 10th (to-day), for til
purpose of organizing an Anti-Lotter
League. This poster informs the pub
lie that call voters, without regard t
race or politics, are invited to be presen
and to join the League"
Is this an attempt to organize sepa
rate political party? May not the re
suit be the disintegration of the Demo
cratic party? In this connection w,
invite the attention of our readers t,
the following article of the Picoyun
commenting on an editorial of the Nat
chitoches Reaiew, which by the bye is az
anti-lottery paper:
The Picayune has constantly urged
the Democrats of Louisiana to preserve
their organization and unity of purpose
in the highest degree of strength and
energy.
There has never been time when it
was more necessary for the white Dem
ocrats of the South to stand shoulder
| to shoulder and not to permit any dis
scns'Ons or feuds to break or weaken
their power. Just at this moment when
the sectional party which dominates
the Federal government is engaged in
concoctlDg the most dangerous meas
ures to overthrow the power of the
white people in the Southern States,
the Importance of firm and solid Dem
ociatlc front throughout the South is
particularly emphasized. But, unfor-
tunately, this critical juncture has been
chosen for the propagation of serious
d'ssenslons among the Democrats in
several States.
This was attempted in the recent
canvas, for State officers in Alabama.
but happily the patriotism of the people
was equal to the occasion and the
Threatened split was promptly avertcd.
In South Carolina there is now in pro-
gress a very heated and active move
ment in the bosom of the Democracy,
which threatens most fatal division
and the total overthrow of the party
upon issues growing ont of the contend
ing claims Of ambitious party leaders. |
10 Louisiana there is apparent tend
ency I'D some quarters to keep ND ex-
element and fire up popular prejudice
upon the lottery issue, to the extent of |
serious feud between par
Iisans on both sides. Such a course is
greatly to be deprecated. If pushed to
The extreme of personal villifcatiun
and unreasoning bitterness, it will re-
'nt in arraying the white people of the
State IN two hostile factions and bring
IN condition of affairs that will pro-
luce the most deplorable consequences
We desire then to urge that differ
'nces OF opinion on the lottery act or
my other question Of State policy shall
lot be used to drive the white people of
4oulsnna into hopeless state of divi-
ION among themselves. There are
lenty of conservative citizens and lead
re on each side of the lottery question,
nd we call on them to exert themselves
nd not permit any fire-eating and hare
politicians, no matter what {
hey may pretend, to plunge the white
democracy OF Louisiana into hopeless i
nln. In this connection we print the :,
blowing editorial expression from the c
atchltoches Review, an anti-lottery
aper during tie legislative campaign. :
ays the Review: q
The Review as consistent Demo
attic journal utterly repudiates aud
all organizations in or out of i.
le Democratic party having for their t
nject the accomplishment of any other 2
eslgn than the integrity, honor and :
lccess of the Democratic party.
We favor the organization of straight O
hlte Democratic Clubs that will de-
ounce any organization of the white
sople on the lottery question, either
o or anti, as dangerous to its integ- S
y and subversive of its organization.
Ii we cannot place this lottery ques-
on on the plane of on-essentials.
ION which individual members NAV Z
tie as each may determine for him,
If, then the party is broken up beyond
pc.
1t has been suggested here by men
lose lip service to the Democratic
rty in the past has only been equaled
their willingness and ability to hold
ice Hereunder early and late, that
ti-lottery cluhs be organized. We
pc the Democrats of this parish who
We other reasons for their party fealty u
IN party pap, will promptly condemn
y such step. Natchitoches parish has
arge minority of respecta BILE, honest,
elligeDt and brave white men, who
not believe as we do on the lottery a..
sstlon. They favor it, and we do HI
;, and they will promptly organize Ill
resist the organization suggested.
len these two organized factions
nd confronting each other the disin- {
ration of the Democratic party is
aplete, and if accompanied with vio- r. :
t language in discussion, with r-l
eats and attempts at coercion, the I
is final. I
very Democrat will frown down
organization on this question.
. very serious state of things is
missed by the continuance of feuds
wing out of the lottery campaign in :
Legislature, and the highest patri- -
m IS necessary to prevent the trou-
that threatens to ensue. ne