The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1891-08-15
Maintain Their Liberty.

There was an attempt made some few
days ago by the politicians to have the
regulators sign pledge to support none
but regulator candidates at the coming
election. Several of the leaders, tC
whom, we understand the pledge was
mlsrepresented, signed it. and also had
the clubs in the different parts of the
parish select delegates to attend a con-
ventiOn of regulators which met at
Breaux Bridge, Oh the 10Th of July, at
which convention a set of resolutions
were adopted, which were to be forward
ed to each club for their apprO, al or re-
! lection.
This convention was not very harmO-
nious. and some of the delegates refused
positively to sign such resolutions, as it
would have deprived them of their liber-
ty to vote for the candidates Of their
choice. Those resolutions were nothing
more than trap to make slaves and
tools OF our citizens. Cannot our citi-
Zens select their own candidates, and
vote for men of their own selection?
DO they not possess enough intelligence
to be relied upon as voters, to vote for
good men? Are the politicians to force
them to vote for those they select and
impose upon them as they have always
done i'm the rast?
We are free American citizens and we
should enjoy the American freedom and
liberty and use our vote as We deem
best, without being led as brutes by un-
scrupulous leaders; we have enough in
telligence to do our own thinking, our
own selection and our own voting.
We believe man who voted for 10
cal republican is just as guilty as the
one who voted for the republican cam
dldate for governor or president, and his
action is as reprehensible, but the reso-
lutiOns to save some of the democrats.
made 1t so that man voting for Harri-
son for president would be classed re-
publican, while the one who voted for a
negro for local Offices would be classed a
democrat and permitted to vote, if the
regulator commissioners would permit
him to do so. Is there consistency in
this?
But the people have resented such an
insult to their intelligence and manhood
md refused to be any longer the :nstru-
nents OF any set of politicians. They
recognize that they are the power and
hey intend to rule. They are the mas
ers and they will command.
And as a result Of their determination
o manage their own affairs, a meeting,
We are informed composed of handful
IT individuals who are under the control
# the politicians, held a meeting at
'reaux Bridge Saturday last, which was
cry tlmultuOus, and did or did not en-
lorse the resolutions, as in the heat of
he tumult the regulator president of
aid meeting thought best to adjourn
he meeting. without taking any defni-
e action.
But this attemp: at bulldOzing those :
GhO refused to adopt the resolution, re-
olted the mass Of the people, of that
ectiOn, and the following day Sunday ,
asD they assembled, and Indignantly ,
elected the infamous resolutions, and ,
their manhood and liberty. =,
his last meeting consisted of large
lumber of the best citizens Of the parish, !;
Tho are perhaps regulators, but are re- :
ulatOrs for good cause, and not to +,
erve the interest Of a few politicians. |,
heir action in rejecting those resOlu. .
ions is endorsed by the well-meaning =
nd intelligent people of this parish who :
ppreciate their liberty. They recognize
nd appreciate the fact that there are !.
OOd and true white men and pure de- ;
locrats outside OF the regulators who .
re worthy Of their votes and theit sup :.
Ort.
All honor to those brave citizens who
ppreciate and maintain their dignity
nd liberty.