St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-10-28
Public Opir ION.

=. r. Capital Item.
Under this caption the Item publishes,
in another cOiumn, Il communication
from a gentleman reSidiu;, iii North
Louisiana, in which the spirit and sub
stance of an editorial article in the Item
urging the adoption of the South Caro-
lima plan in local politics, is accepted as
a means for preserving the unity of the
white people Of the State, irrespective
of party preferences, and the accom-
piishmcnt of such reforms in our cleo
ton laws as will restore the honest hand
ling of the peoples ballots.
The correspondent discusses the sub
ject from third party standpoint, and
piains the idea on which he believes tho
movement should be carried out
In South Carolina the white people
without regard as to whether they be
dem ocrats, p0pulists or alliance men
rnite in the conduct of local primaries
which are held with equal representa-
ton OF the different political interests,
ana the result being the outcome of an
honest, square contest all submit to it
gracefully. BY this plan the farmers
obtained possession Of the State govern
ment.
The details of the South Carolina plan
may not be entirely satisfactory to eth
er side in Louisiana, but others satisfac-
tory to all parties in interest can be sub
stituted without destroying the essence
of the movement.
re strikes us that some such plan as
restored the harmony of the white peu-
Die in 1879, when the democratic party,
the liberal party, the reform party and
all others opposed to radical oppression
laid aside their differences and united
in one patriotic move to rid the State of
nisrule, can be agreed upon.
No man need sacrifice his views upon
national questions by joining ia local
contest for reform i'll our State, paro-
chial and municipal governments.
There are men in Louisiana who vote
tho national republican ticket and al
ways vote for the democratic State, pa
rochia and municipal tickets. These
men participate in democratic prma-
Baries and sometimes are chosen as
delegates to conventions to nominate
the tickets they support.
Now, it these men, who are prOtec-
tionists, national bank men and gold
bugs can stretch their consciences
enough to do that, why cannot others
vino are not mere democrats in name
but are straight out Jef1'ersOnian demo-
Gratis in principle, consent to sit at the
primary polls AS judges and give the
people an honest count of the votes cast
fnr the men of their choice.
This is not Il question that will bear
great deal of hair-spltting or whipping
The devil around the stump. 1t is one
what commands every white man to
stand up with his face to the light SO
that the motive that dictates his action
may be read. 1t is question that tells
us plainly that the opponents of evils Of
government now complained of cannot
be cured by their being divided. IT
they would accomplish anything they
must unite, and do it upon just and
equal mountaineering good faith in
all purposes aud pledges.
The Item does not wish to record
repetition of the results of the Lafayette
combine, andi asserts in advance that
it has opposed, opposes now and will
ever oppose the practicing of deception,
M matter who by ; and for that reason
it urges an honest, square uniting of all
elements opposed to present political
methods in Louisiana.