The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1891-12-26

UNNATURAL THIRST FOR OFFICE OF
THE BOILERS.
BATON RoUGE, Dee. 1.-THE feature
of the McEnery caucus yesterday morn
ing WAS the speech of eX-Gov. Wick
life ON the action of Col. Ianier i'll
abandoning his duties as chairman of
the Democratic State central commit
tee. The old Demucl at said
M. Chairman and gentlemen-ln
the whole ceursr IT my life | have never
arisel. t. speak feelingly to a greater
extent than now the responsibility tnat
rests upon me. AS Il lifelong Demo-
crat, one who has never swerved from
the old landmarks of the party, | will
speak II few words now.
~ regret from the bottom of my
heart that Col. Lanier, the chirman of
the Democratic executive committee OF
the State, has pursued the course he
has. What power there may be, what
pressure may have been brought to
bear npon him. | do not know, but |
AM satisfied it was somel hing severe
some force, some hard ticks, from
what quarter l do nos know.
81 M here to say to you Gentlemen
that the Democratic party has lived
from the day of its birth until the pre-
sem time, and will live as long as
freedom. (Cheers.) l have seen party
after party bow its neck, and | have
seen the Democratic party put it's foot
upon the neck of every party that has
resisted it. (Cheers) And why. because
it was born in the declaration Of
American independence, and christen-
ed by the constitution of the United
States.
Now, in what position has Col.
Lanier placed himself ? Has he given
you a reason why he would 10 per
form the duties incumbent upon him al
chairman of the State central commit
teef He is as silent as the grave. Why
does he not come here and perform his
duty as the chairman should have
done ? applause J What power holds
him back B.? All
1T is THE SECRET ENEMY
of the Democratic party, gentlemen.
(Cheers.) They are the enemies of CT
vii and religious liberty, and of peace
and quiet, and it is the united force of
the white people here in Louisiana
that is holding them back. (Applause
and cheers.)
"Say not to me that is the lottery
question that holds him. No, gentle
men, it is the thirst for office. (voci-
ferrous cheering and cries of you ex-
pressed it, All, sirs, l would not care
If Col. Lanier were a thousand times
dearer to me than he has been. A
personal friend, l cannot, for one, sus-
tain him in the course he is pursuing,
which is to disrupt and destroy the
Democratic party of Louisiana. ZAP
plause.)
II do not believe that in his heart he
wishes to do it, but | believe that there
is a power and a pressure to bear upon
him that has forced him to take this
step that is hostile to the interest of
every white man, woman and child in
the State of Louisiana. (Applause.)
"Now, gentlemen, what are we to
do Leave him as chairman of the
committees when he, without the as
augment of a single cause, refuses to
come here and perform his duty
(Cries of mo, sNo.'") IL
81 say mo- as. a Democrat. Zap
plause and cheers.) say let the true
Democracy of Louisiana assert itself
with all its power, and proclaim to the
people that Col. Lapier was unworthy.
of the trust reposed in him. (Cries,
That's rightly (Applause.) Say that
the letter itself is evidence enough to
the world that it was a mistaken con-
ndence on our part when we placed
him where he was. CHEERS and APP
plause) | do not mince my words, l.
mean them.
81 sit here as a Democrat, owing to
the Democratic party all that l do, and
loving it as deeply as l do, and allow
gentlemen to write a letter of that
sort and still hold the position that we
conferred upon him, and now permit
him to exercise the power of calling
together the Democratic party. Great
God The old Democratic party neYer
had any secrets (applause,) and yet
Col. Lanler wants to call together a
secret organization at II O'Clock today
in obedience to the powerthat has been
brought to bear npon him and perform
the mandate of his master. applause
and cheers.) What will be that man
date ? go and call that body to or
der : | will give you the key. Take it
and do it as you are told
"Now, gentlemen, | for n as a
Democrat say "displace him and put