The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1890-07-19
Time to Call a Halt.

.no to1h HIS u remarkable leader
which we copy TO day condemning a
tendency which it discerns in some
quarters ito keep up excitement and
fire up popular prejudice upon the
lottery issue,'s which will result in ssar-
raging the white people of the State
IN two hostile factions. . This article
incorporates some sound editorial ex-
| pressions OF the Natchitoches Review
an antl-loftery paper, by the by--and
these two reliable old sentinels on The
democratic watch towers utterly repu-
diate and condemn as dangerous and
undemocratic all movements looking to
the organization Of the white people on
the lottery question, either pro or con.
what would they say, or what will
tney say when they hear of it. of the
movement on foot here to organize this
evening not q white anti i-lottery league,
not Democratic anti-lottery league.
but a mongrel anti lottery concern
which "aH 0oters, rithoat regard to race
or politics, arc invited to Join? Aud
II we tell them that some of the leaders
IN this movement are men high in the
councils OF the local Democratic organ
lzation, what would they think of these
blind guides, these s.fire- eating and
hare brained politicians" who are thus
thoughtlessly trying to lead the ii CON
1ding followers into this yawning clIasm
III which the .sheet-anchor of our poiiti-
cal hopes will be irretrievably engnlfei 2
We are threatened by an imminent
danger and The highest patriotism is
necessary TO; avert it. We therefore
call upon tho conservative Democrats
upon both sides of the lottery question
to come to the froat, and to diseounten-
anee and frown down any organization
whatever on this question, and especial
ly any mongrel organization i" with
out regard to race or politics. .
The safety and integrity of the Dem
ocratic party demand this and
we trust, as we believe, that this ap-
peal, which is as earnest aa we can
make it, will not be in vain.
--4-ssS----
NO time for Dangerous Divisions.
N. O. Pfcayune.
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 Sontll to stand shoulder
to shoulder and not to permit any dis
sensions or fenas to break or weaken
their power. just at this moment when
the sectional party which dominates
the Federal government is engaged In
concocting the most dangerous meas
ures to overthrow the power Of the
white people in the Southern States,
the Importance of q firm and solid DEM
ocratic front throughout the South is
particularly emphasized. Rut, nnfor-
tunately, this critical iunctnre has been
chosen for the propagation Of serious.
dissenslons among the Democrats in
several States.
This was attempted iii the recent
can vas, for State officers ID Alabama,
but happily the patriotism of the people
was equal to the occasion aud the
threatened split was promptly averted.
In South Carolina there is now in pro
gress d very heated and active move-
ment in the bosom of the Democracy,
which threatens d most fatal division
aud the total overthrow Of the party
upon issues growing ont of the contend /
ing claims of ambitious party leaders.
In Louisiana there is apparent q tend
ency In some quarters to keep up ex- |
citement and fire up popular prejudice
upon the lottery issue, to the extent of
producing II serious fend between par-
tisans on both sides Such Il course is
greatly to be deprecated IF pushed to- /
the extreme of personal viIlifeation
md unTeas0ning bitterness, III will I'D
suit in arraying tile white people of thel
State in two hostile. factions and btingI
Oh a condition Of affairs that will pros
auce the most deplorable consequences.
We desire then . to urge that differ
ences of opinion % the lottery act Or
any other question OF State policy shall
not be used To drive the white people Of |
Louisiana into d hopeless state Of diyis
sion among themselves. There are
plenty of conservative citizens and lead
ers on each side Of fhe lottery question,
I'D We call on them to exert themselves
and not permit any iil'e-eating and hare
Drained politicians, no matter what
they mag pretend, TO plunge tlle white
Democracy of Louisiana into hopeless
ruin. In this connection we print the
editorial expression from the |
Natchitoehes Review, an anti-lottery /
paper during the legislative campaign.
Says the Review
The Review as consistent Demo
cratic journal utterly fepadiatea and |
condemns all organizations IN Of ont of |
Ihe Democratic party having for their
object the accomplishment of any other
design than the integrity, honor and /
success Of the Demo cratic party
We favor the organization of atfaiglit /
white Democratic Clubs that will de- /
l0unce any organization of the white
people on the lottery question, either1
pro OF anti, as dangerous to IFS integ
.ity aud subTeraiva of its organization.
I lf We cannot Ealaca this lottery qnes-
ion on the plane of non essentials, /
lpon which individual members mag
7ote as each may determine for him
lelf, then tho party is broken up beyond t
iope.
liz has been suggested here hy men
whose lin service to tlge Dem0cratici
oarty insflaa past has only been equaled
,y their willingness and ability to hold +
,lface Hereunder eaiaEy and late, that L
init lottery esslhs he organized. We !
lope the Democrats Of ibis parish who
lape otlleI reasons fol their party fealty +
han party pap, will promptly condemn