St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1892-02-13
EE.sTFOB VI.
Adopted by tho Democratic Convention
Mt Baton Eouge, Dec. 10, 1891.

PLATFORM.
by tho Democratic Convention
at Baton Rouge, Dec. 10, 1891.
The democracy of the State in convention as
sembed announce and declare their steadfast
devotion to the timebonorcd principles OF ths
party, ana to the issues upon which
that party has recently gone before the coun-
Try and secured its .magniticent victories, re-
sulting in the control OF majority OF the states
of the Union, as we'll as of d majority or over
100 in tho popular branch of the Federal con
gress, thus indicating that at the approaching
elections these time-honored principles VIII
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 tune
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
the crushing taxation and the bad government
under which they have so long suffered, we see
with concern, and call the attention of the pe0-
pie of Louisiana to the attempt to disntegrate
and jeopardize the power and usefulness OF the
party in this State, thus endangerng its cleo
toral vote and its usefulness to protect and de.
fend the 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 i'll this convention, through the
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 III nomina-
tion a ticket which has none OF the authority
or regularity of a democratic nomination with
which to go before the people, and can only be
Classed as an independent or third party ticket,
and we urge upon the true democracy OF Lott
isana. who have by long years of devotion to
the interests of the party, which are identified
m
stamp with the seal of their Misrepresentation
this attempt to divide them and to steal from
them their suffrages under the pretense that
the ticket thus nominated in any sense repre-
sentS the democratic party.
The democracy OF Louisiana regard fcalty to
the party and faithful adherence to its orSanl-
zation as above all considerations, and the only
means of sustaining and penetrating white
supremacy and good government In Louisiana.
In view of this very popular anxiety that ex.
lists among the large majority OF the peo-
pie of Louisiana who follow agricultural
pursuits. in consequence OF the depression of
their industry, aud the enormous burdens
which they are called upon to bear, we 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
remedy for the evils from which they suffer I'M
til the democratic party shall he placed Ill I'M
controlled power i'll the administration OF the
government of the country, and shall be able
to afford them that relief which they have fail
Since 1857 the democratic party has never
been in control Of all branches of the govern
mcnt. 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 ADMINISTERS
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 a re-
publican Senate. and a 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 agricultnrists 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
in the campaign approaching for third party,
and the establishment of a third party i'll the
South can only disrupt the democratic party
and aid in the perpetuatlon 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.
3. We pledge ourselves to an economical al
ministratiOn Of public affairs, to the mainte-
nance of the State credit by limiting appropria-
tions to the amount of the revenues and to the
liquidation of the State debt aud the prompt
payment OF the interest on the same as now ad-
justed by law.
4. That the levee system of the State is a
necessity for the protection of the lives and
property of our citizens, and we pledge our
selves to develop. maintain and protect the
same to the fullest extent consistent with the
finances OF the State, as absolutely essential to
the happiness and prosperity OF our people.
Aud We ask the efforts of our senators and
representatives 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.
5. We pledge the democratic party Of this
State to an earnest effort to place the free rub
lie schools of Louisiana upon q substantial and
satisfactory basis, and to that end the leSsla-
ture is requested to appropriate IL sufficient
amount from the annual revenues of the State
| to provide for the suitable education of the
| children of the State.
The democratic party reafirms its opposi,
| tiGn to all monopOlies aud class legislation.
We present with pride to the democracy of
Lollisio na for their candidates at the approach.
| ing election, ticket which has been nominated
with singular unaninllty. and specially the
name of Samuel u. McEncry, our nominee for
governor. We call upon the democratic voters
of Louisiana to give their earnest support and
most constant efforts to secure the success OF
| the ticket thus presented at the polls and we
feel confident that the victory when secured
| cannot be wreSted from us by any attempts to
| talnper with or change the result by fraud, vi.
Oence or improper use OF the election ma
chinery.
WHITE PRIMARIES.
The following resolution was also passed by
unanimous vote of the convention
| Whereas, a large majority of the members
| both pro and anti, of this convention have been
instructed by their constituents to secure the
submission of the revenue amendment to a
primary election of white democratic voters
/ to be held under proper rules and regulations
at date previous to the general election; and
Whereas, 1t Is impossible to provide for such
settlement in the absence of and by reason OF
the actions OF q number of delegates who are
opposed to said amendment; therefore be it
| Resolved, State
| to be appointed by this convention be and they
are hereby authorized, if possible, to make any
and all agreements and arrangements with the
| pro and anti-lottery democrats for The submis
| Sion Of the said amendment TO primary elpc
! ton Of white democratic voters at q date TO be
| fixed, and under rules to be agreed to by bott
parties, and the State central committee is di
rected to use every honorable means to bring
about settlement of this question in accord
ance with the power herein conveyed.
| Capital Item: 1t was generally remarked
that when the Supreme Court decision wal
| flashed over the wires the FoSterltes Doomed