St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1891-04-11

vi. LAuIlOT.- 1HcS ucXt campaign
has approached sufficiently near t
begin to excite general interest an6
discussion among the people. This is
quite natural as all classes are deepl,
interested IN the wise and orderly adj
ministration OF parish affairs. 70 be
gin to think seriously of the matter
and to forecast If we can the com.
plexlon which st. Landry politics is
to take in this campaign, is the part Of
| wisdom. The question would be easy
OF solution, If there was not a new
and untried factor in the field of poll
ties, the Farmers Alliance. That or
ganisation appears to be sufficiently
strong, to control the democratic party
organisation, and in view of the fact
that the farmers constitute a great
body Of the democracy Of this parish,
many of the old experienced politi-
clans have cheerfully taken back
seat, insorder that our farmer friends
may try their hand of running the
machine. But they in common with
all the democrats outside the alliance,
continue to feel a deep concern in the
success of the party. The question
then is-what is to be the policy of
the democratic party here, under the
leadership of Farmers Alliance?
The democratic organisation can
not carry this parish, without wise
leadership, and an energetic campaign
backed up by a united and harmonious
party. The fact that the colored
voters, who are naturally republicans,
are actually in numerical majority.
and that we have in our perish an In
dependent element of considerable
strength, under the guidance OF expe-
rienced leaders, well supplied with the
sinews of war, and ready to enter the
campaign-can not, must not be ig-
nored. Those upon whom will derolYe
the responsibility of doing the think
ing and planning for the success OF
the democratic party in this parish,
must look these facts squarely IN the
face. The result will affect the welfare
of all our citizens, therefore the res
possibility is great. To secure the
safe and wise administration of parish
affairs, it is indispensable that com
petent, and honest men be elected TO
fill our parish offices, and to do this
votes enough to elect them must be
obtained. 1t is plain that this can
only be done by pursuing a conserya-
tive, polite course. The party organ
isatiOn must invite to its support the
voters of all classes. Any other policy
in the management of the democratic
party of this parish, would be simply
Not only sit necessary to
secure the aid OF colored votes, but it i
is also of vital importance that there
should be harmony among the Demo
cratic voters. More than one-half of
the white voters OF the parish, are out
side Of the alliance, and their conf
aenee, and active support of the ticket
must ha secured. These facts mast be
seriously weighed by those who will
control the management, and policy |
Of the party in the coming campaign. |
1t was thought necessary at the last
to adopt conservative
course. The Democratic citizens, of |
Plaisance, Vile Platte, Old Grand
Prairie, Whiteville and Morrow station |
invited the colored people to assemble
TO hear addresses from the Democratic
and from the chairman of
The Democratic executive committe.
rom whom assurances were given that
Ill classes would be protected in their
lights OF person and property. These