The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1892-09-03
WHERE WILL THE RESPONSE:
BILITY REST?

isiana has for nearly year been bad
enough to vex and harass the hearts
OF ell the earnest and devoted mem.
hers of the Democratic party; but
the developments of the past month
have added materially to the danger
and distress. We refer to the de-
lection of prominent members, the
organization of the Peoples party as
a political venture and the serious
division in the Fifth Congressional
district. which district since the re-
cent approval of the boilers by Chair
man Wilkinson promises to have two
candidates ia the field claiming to be
Democrats. In other words, house
divided against itself. We may also
mention the fact in this connection
that every effort possible is being
(and will certainly Beg made to unite
the Breaux and Leonard factions of
the Republican party in the State,
and some of our most astute party
friends honestly believe that these
efforts will be a complete success,
because orders to those in the lead
in the State have come from the
National Republican Committee at
Washington, saying s'all divisions
must be healed i'll the State of Louis
ians.'
This calmly considered, makes the
Democratic outlook serious enough
to claim the thoughtful attention of
the party and cast about with the in
quiry, Where will tie responsibility
rest? What makes US so anxious at
this juncture, we find some of the
recent most prominent leaders on the
Foster side differing Numerically in
the Fifth district matter with regard
to the apportionment, as well as with
regard to the real status of the negro
in the matter.
This is what battles and badly both
ers us. If the old fractional lines
were observed and no material diff
ferences had arisen between the
victorious Fosterites, there would be
NO great difficulty in defining the
several positions of those at variance,
and laying down the necessary steps
to insure unity Of action in the near
future; but when those who are IN
possession of the reins of the State
government as the recognized leaders
of the Democracy differ so material
ly on important questions so as to
threaten the disruption of the party,
how is the problem to be solved?
How is the gordian knot to be un-
tied?
We arc writing this after over four
decades of service in the party traces.
The holly contested battles with the
grand old Wings, and more bitter
contests with the Knownothings in
1854 and thereabouts are quite fresh
in our memory, while the dark days
of reconstruction in Louisiana called
forth the courage, fidelity and en-
durance Of every true Democrat un-
til military rule had ceased to exist
as a political factor in our Pelican
State, and Democracy once more
was duly represented in the person
of Francis L. Nichols as Governor
over fifteen years ago. With true
pride and often with throbbing pleas
ure, not unmxed with fear, we per
formed our part in those days; but
never since Governor Nichols re-
noval from Odd Fellows Hall take
formal possession of the State House
on st. Louis street, have we known
the Democracy of Louisiana in such
a tangled up condition.
There was reckless pleasure in
leading Democratic forlerns hope
amid the thickest of the carpet-bag
adventures for the protection of our
ownrights. But alas! Having gained
them, to find the noble old party di-
vided up into factions, sub factions
and little lotteries, all bent upon
some personal pursuit regardless of
party or party obligations. The
question of responsibility in this dis.
tresslng matter cannot possibly be in
any doubt. Those who have assumed
authority in the name of Democra-
ey, and those only. are responsible, 4
and will certainly be held responsible
for any calamity that may bsfalI the
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