St. Landry democrat., 1891-10-10
Judge Lewis' Explanation.

La another column may be found
communication from Judge E. T. Lewis
| in which he explains the exDressio on
which we published in our last issue a.
having been made by him to VIM. Camp
bell, Esq, of Lafayette, and whicI
were repeated by John N. Ogden, Esq.
in Il speech lately made by him in one o
the Florida parisles.
I 1t may be seen that the Judge doe;
not deny but frankly confesses that liz
did make the remark attributed to hin:
| He says, however, that it WAS made as q
jest in Il casual conversation, and that
1t was intended to tWit or tease Mr.
Campbell
| We commend the open and frank
manner in which Judge Lewis ackuoWl-
| edges the truthtnlGesS OF his reported
| expression, and accept his assurance CT
its being a jest. AS one of tho highest
law officers OF the State, we thought it
unbecOmlng to use such expressions in q
serious spirit, and still think, with all
respect, that the jest has become thread
bare and frettlngiy monotonOus. And
the more so, III view OF the late delnOu
stration made in the parish of Sabine.
He concludes his communication by
saying: 6 need not add that | have
never either advocated or cOuntenanced
any species OF fraud whatever in cleo
tions, and that | am now, and shall al
ways be opposed to either the taIsliica-
ton OF election returns or the corruption
of the voter. Both are crimes, and
while the returning officer should not be
allowed to faslfy returns, the briber
and the bribed voter shun!d not be per-
mitted to vote"
The Judge continues: "Of the tive,
the latter Chat is bribery is the most
dangerous to society and the general be-
fcf among the people that bribery is 70
be extensively used, in behalf Of the
amendment, is the cause Of so much bad
blood, and fear and believe will lead
to revO:utiOn.f
We respectfully ask Judge Lewis,
who is it that will judge of the brbrr
and the bribed that they should not he
permitted to vote? Are they to be the
commissioners of the election II so,
will they, can they under the law decide
the question without trial ? Have
they the power to dlsfranchse a voter
without trial by the Court and a con-
vicfion Is it possible that voters are to
be thus dealt with, and by commission
ers to be pronounced guilty, without |
voter chance to be heard 2 Is he to be |
presumed to be guilty before he has
been shown to be, by duly authorized |
court? We hope the Judge does not |
mean to say that at the next election |
voters are to be kept from voting Oh The
mere belief of the commissioners Of the
election? We ask this question because
he knows they Cannot be convicted be-
fore they vote, or by any other than a
coart, after trial.
But again, Judge Lewis says the
general belief among the people that
bribery is to be extensively used in be-
lalf OF the amendment. is the cause of
30 much bad blood" Now in the name
If common sense, good order and truth,
rh0 is responsible for this general be-
ief ? Who has done more to create it,
o circulate it among the people than
he Judge himself? Why do they
believe such report? Is it not because
u the lead of such an opinion, have
it all over the State
II he really believes this belief is the
ause Of bad blood, why not, as a peace
'tficer, as a consoryaior OF the peace,
ease his efforts to create the belief, and
cting upon more fair and peace-p pre-
erving plan, tell the people not to pre-
udge their neighbOrs. friends and rela-
ives on simple belief?
Finally, he says: Il fear and believe
t (tilat is the belief) will lead to revolu-
ion" Now, il Judge Lewis fear and
'elief are we'll founded, we would ad-
Use every friend Of the amendment who
Intends to assert his right to cast free
allot, to prepare for that revolution.
t it does come, it will be aimed at them.
'orewarned is forearmed; and freedom :
t the ballot-box is worth fighting for {
D the bitter end. If we are prepared
Or if, however, that revolution will
ever come.