St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1892-01-23
PLATFORM.
Adopted by the Democratic COnventio II
at Baton Rouge, Dec. 10, 1894.

Adopted by the Democratic Convention
at Baton Rouge, Dec. 10, 1891.
The democracy of the State in convention as
sembled announce and declare their steadfast
devotion to the time hOnored principles OF the
democratic party, and to the issues upon which
that party has recently gone before the coun-
try and secured its magnificent victories, re-
suting in the control ola majority of the States
of the Union, as well as of a majority OF over
100 in the popular branch of fhe Federal con
gress, thus indicating that at the approaching 1a
once again be in the ascendancy, and that the
party will once more be charged with the con-
troll Of the government and its destiny.
In time thus suspicious of victory; at time
when it is almost certain that the democratic
party will be placed in, charge of all
branches of the government, and thus be
able to afford relief to the people from
under which they have SO long suffered, we see
with concern, and call the attention Of the pco-
pie of Louisiana to the attempt to dlsintegrate
and jeopardize the power and usefulness OF the
party in this State, thus endangerng its cleo
toral vote and it's usefulness to protect and de-
fend tho people of the State from African and
radical rule.
We call the attention of the people of Louisi-
ana, and especially of the constituencies inter
ested, to the fact that many parishes were
unrepresented in this convention, through the
revolutionary acts of the delegates from those
parishes, who, without cause, excuse or provo
cation, refused to take their seats and to par
ticipate in its deliberations, as they were ap-
pointed to do, but on the contrary organized an
Independent convention and placed in nomina-
ton ticket which has none of the authority
or regularity Of democratic nomination with
which to so before the people, and can only be
classed as an independent or third party ticket,
and we urge upon tie true democracy of Lou
isiana. who have by long years of devotion to
the interests of the party, which are identified
with those OF the White people of this State, to
stamp with the seal of their disapprobation
this attempt to divide them and to steal from
them their suttrages under the prctense that
the ticket thus nominated i'll any sense repre-
Sents the democratic party.
The democracy OF Louisiana regard fealty to
the party and faithful adherence to its Organi-
cation as above all considerations, and the only
means Of sustaining and perpetuating white
supremacy and good government in Louisiana.
In view of the very popular anxiety that ex
lists among the large majority of the peo-
Pile Of Louisiana who follow agricultural
pursuits, in consequence OF the depression Of
their industry, and the enormous burdens
which they are called upon to bear, VIC call
their attention to the fact that the democratic
party has ever been the friend OF the farmer,
the laborer and the mechanic, and we ask them
to wait for redress of their grievances and a
remedy for the evils from which they suffer I'M
til the democratic party shall be placed in I'M
controlled power in tho administration of the
government of the country, and shall be able
to afford them that relief which they have fail
ed to receive from the republican party.
Since 1857 the democratic party has never
been in control of all branches OF the govern
ment SO as to be able to afford this relief
Since the war we have had but one President,
whose administration brought credit upon the
democratic party, but during his adnlinistra-
ton the Senate was republican, and it was i'm
possible to obtain relief At all other times we
have had either a democratic House or q re-
publican Senate, and republican President
and it was impossible for the democratic party
to secure the adoption Of any measure of relief
for the depressed interests of the country. We
ask the agricultursts Of this State to abide pa
tiently their time and to assist the democratic
party in its approaching battle for that power
which alone can give relief. There is no room
and the establishment of a third party in the
South can only disrupt the democratic party
and aid in the perpetuation of republican rule.
That it is the duty of the State to foster and
improve all of its great agricultural interests by
adequate legislation, for their development and
promotion, and especially by the encourage
ment and maintenance of the Agricultural Col
lege and the present State experiment stations,
and by other legislation in the special interest
of agriculture.
8. We pledge ourselves to an economical ad-
OF public affairs, to the mainte-
nance of the State credit by limiting appropria-
tons to the amount Of the revenues and to the
liquidation of the State debt and the prompt
payment OF the interest on the same as now ad-
justed by law.
4. That the levee system of the State is
necessity for the protection of the lives and
OF our citizens, and VIC pledge our
selves to develop. maintain aud protect the
finances OF the State, as absolutely essential to
the happiness and prosperity of our people
And we ask the efforts of our senators and
in congress to obtain the CON
tinuance of the liberal and generous assistance
hitherto afforded to us by the general govern
ment for this purpose, and especially to secure
the Improvement of the navigation of the Miss
sipispi river and the protection of the people
who live upon its banks.
S. We pledge the democratic party of this
state to an earnest effort to place the free pub
nc schools OF Louisiana upon substantial and
satisfactory basis, and to that end the legisla-
ture IS requested to appropriate Il sufficient
amount from the annual revenues of tie State
to provide for the suitable education of the
children of the State
. The democratic party reatiirms its orposi-
ion to all monopolies and class legislation
We present with pride to the democracy of
Louisiana, for their candidates at the approach
ng election, a ticket which has been nominated
With singular unanimty, and specially the
lame Of Samuel D. McEnery, our nominee for
governor. We call upon the democratic voters |
II Louisiana to give their earnest support and
most constant efforts to secure the success of
5he ticket thus presented at the polls, and we
eel confident that the victory when secured
amper with or change the result Ivy fraud vi |
,lence or improper use Of the election ma
,hinery.
WHITE PRrs1ARIEs.
Tie following resolution was also passed by
unanimous vote of the convention
Whereas, large majority of the members, |
10th pro and anti, of this con vention have been
by their constituents to secure the |
submission of the revenue amendment to a !
primary election of white democratic voters, |
o be held under proper rules and regulations, |
It a date previous to the general election and |
Whereas, 1T is impossible to provide for such
ettlcment in the absence of and by reason of |
he actions of a number of delegates who are |
opposed to said amendment; therefore be it
Resolved, That the State central committee |
be appointed by this SoH ekisatioa be and they
re hereby agf5rized if fo nossihIe to ,n1
al agreements and arrangements with the
0 and anti-lottery democrats for the submits
N OF the said amendment to primary cleo
N OF white democratic voters at a date to be
ed, and under rules to be agreed to by both
rites, and the State central committee is di-
;ted to use every honorable means to bring