The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1894-03-10
Rather Captious.

| ClaTlOn OF laSt Saturday.
Nothing, save our desire to induct the
novice Clarion, and such other newly
t1edged papers as may chance to be as
obtuse as it appears to be, into the
methods of unquestionable truth.
Again, it asks, Is it (meaniBg the
CoURIER) backsliding from it's demo-
cracy2"
For its information we answer, but
whether we can reach it's understand
ing is possibly an open question,
We are rather inclined to think the
Clarion is to Democracy what the craw-
fish is to other fish. Democracy is pro-
gressive and moves forward-keeping
pace with human enlightenment. meet
ing every emergency and pressing re-
quirement of good government. The
COURIER marches on that line, and it
has found that truth is the McAdamiz-
ed highway that leads to every desira-
BILE cOnsummatiOn.
Evolution in sound politics and wise
statecraft never goes backward like
the crawfish. The basic principles of
Democracy as enunciated and taught by
Jefferson are good enough for us, and
il our neighbor will search for. find and
learn what they are, and turn about, so
that in its natural crawfisli method Of
locomotion it can possibly move in the
right direction, it may, in the ordinary
course of mental development and with
| sufficient time, learn enough of true de-
mocracy to appreciate the value of
Truth in politics and of modesty in
pretensions.
Is it backsliding 2" What a ques-
tion for crustacean that follows it's
tail if it move at alone that perhaps
honestly believes it is going forward
when by nature it moves backward
1t is very kind in our neighbor to be
unwilling that the masses should be
misrepresented. Thus far it is with us ::
but the point of divergence between us
is just where Truth demands recogni-
ton and vIndication and CharIatanism
pops up to claim merit and misdirect
attention.
The Clarion virtually misquotes when
it failed to express the idea we convey
ed. We said that 81 in St. Landry many
Democrats are outspOken on the sub
jeet, and they openly declare they will
vote the national Republican ticket at
the next Presidential election" Now.
with this plain statement before the
readers eyes, how will an honest reader
of the Clarion's insinuation classify it's
language wherein it virtually makes
the charge that we said many Demo-
Gratis would vote the Republican ticketq
Any one reading this characteristic as
sertion would necessarily conclude we
had said they would vote the State and
local Republican ticket as we'll as the
national; whereas we said no such
thing.
Again, it says: I'VE don't believe
that the masses of the people are dis
satisfied with the Democratic party"
We don't know what it is the Clarion
does or don't believe, and certainly
would not be willing to direct our
course by guessing at it, but when it
says by evident implication that we
said the masses of the people are dis
satisfied with the democratic party,
we could Justly emphasize our denial by
using a word spelt with three letters;
but it were useless to our readers.
Whether those who declared their
present intention to vote the national
Republican ticket at the next Presiden-
tial election are truthful about it, we
leave the Clarion to doubt; as for our
selves, we accept what they have de-
clared to be their intention, to be hon
est. The Clarion suggests that we pub
lish the names of the Democrats we
have heard speak thus on the subject.
When it shows some law of the State
req hiring us to do SO, and commission
from Governor Foster authorizing it to
demand the names, we may give them,
but we do not feel under any obliga-
tions to the Clarion to accept its direc-
tion or suggestions as our law in the
premises.
For good charity's sake, we subioin
few excerpts taken from Journals re-
ceived by the last mails, and as all are
taken from Foster papers, we do trust
our neighbor may not complain or tnrn
up it's proboscis, and try to look uglier
than it is:
Houma Courier, March 8: A number of en-
thusiastic ballot reformers met at the Washing
ton Artillery Hall Monday Many of the most
prominent men OF the State took active parts
in the meeting and most of them declared them
selves in favor of the Australian ballot system.
1t is certainly about time to take determined
steps to insure honesty in elections. When this
is done politics will lose it's disagreeable odor,
and there will be more statesmen and fewer
tricksters to hold responsible public offices.
of the past and the methods which were once
deemed necessary to keep the reins of the State
government out of the hands of the ignorant
should be discarded as soon as possible. Every
with any reform that will have the effect OF
purifying politics, and raising the standard of
the ordinary politician.
Bayou Sara Democrat: Surely no man but
demagogue who finds his readiest tool and his
quickest step to power in the ignorance of the
masses, wants things to remain as they are.
To establish white supremacy some pretty
dark work was done, necessarily, but no clean
ly man wishes to dabble in pilah all his life.
He should hail improved election laws the
purifcatiOn of the suffrage, as the new politi-
cal gospel, that ushers IN a better era. But
with class, for their own unworthy purposes,
pulling back, there is a sharp fight before that
end is secured.
Mer Rouge Vidette: One Of the first and
most important duties of the next legislature