The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1895-08-21
THE AGITATORs.
LINCECuM, la, /
Aug. IS, 1893. !

Ii uIdu NCkC SCitOuSiS w Sv'"
mence an inquiry into the nature
of human nature, he would doubt
less say that rs at present Ills
played, it appears to he a ferment-
ed mass of updefinable some
things. Adventures are confirm.
ally springing mp and those who
are most absurd and impudent re
ceive the most encouragement.
If the numerous meetings lately
held in this State, which have de
nounced Cleveland, Carlisle, Will.
son-and in fact the present adj
minlstratiOn and those friendly to
tour own Senators and Repre-.
sentatives at Washington, some of
the leading public citizens of onr
State and those citizens who do
not look favorsbly at the silver
craze in it's present form. | say,
if those meetings which have adop-
ted resolutions denouncing the adj.
ministration and the oddities in
such energetic terms, should be
profusely scanned, they would be
found principally to consist of the
self.same agitators who, in the
past, upheld the theory of the eff
cacy of the salvation of this coun-
try by greenbacks, the sub
treasury plan and other plans too
numerous to mention, and in Lou
isiana of those who we're such nn-
compromising anti .lotteryites, men
not disposed to allow others the
right of different opinion from
their own; who endeavor to make
those crazes a test of a mans De
mocracy, and followers who suffer
themselves to be gulled by such
profound absurdity.
1t is little singular that men
cannot learn to be governed by
plain common sense, which is so
easily understood, instead of blind
ly following whims aud fancies.
They imagine that all men would
be happy if they thought as they
did. Surely this idea must have
been formed in the widest mo-.
ments of their musings, at which
time common sense is usually kick
ed out of doors. Reason may an.
swer as a governing principle for
few, but the passions of the many
must be smothered with awe for
an invisible, incompreheusible
power. Then the gulled m0rtals
become very public spirited in the
twlnkling of an eye.
The agitators have already sown
the seeds of conflict. As in the
last State campaign they attempt
ed to make the lottery test of a
mans Democracy, so in the begin.
ming Of the present campaign they
would gladly ostracize any person
from the Democratic party, who
was not of their way of thinking
and an avowed ally of free silver.
They "pledge" themselves "not to
vote for any candidate for Office,
from the highest to the lowest, Ma.
tional, State and Parochial, who
does not openly express and advo.
cate the free and unlimited coin-
age of silver at the ratio of l6 to L."
Has it come to pass that a man
must make rash promises of this
kind before he is eligible for Office!
Surely there are men III this State
and parish who we can entrust
with Office and who are ever ready
to foster the interests of the people
without being compelled to make
such obligations. That which is
of benefit to us, is naturally the
same to them. Then why insult
an honest man by asking him to
make any promises, before he can
become a candidate for Office
We should place confidence in ouI
leaders, allow them to exercise
their minds as they think best, fol
the people, even as we trust Oul
own fathers.
| A candidate should always ex
press his opinion on all important
subjects, but I think it unjust tt
hamper them in their official ca
pacities, with pledges made as
test Of eligibility for Office.
However, if we are determined
to place in office some of our de
ceptive leaders, then it is necessa
~ to require Of them uncompro
missing obligations. The power O
deception is a vulgar power-it be
longs to the very mob; for the un
educated are driven to it, as tn
) weak are to treachery. Men ma
say what they will, write as the
will, preach as they will; they Ell
l joy the display of that power, the
!. relish the book, which, while it II
: cords the doings of the deceitfu
a they hug the story of deception t
f their hearts, whenever it is the d.
9 ception of skill or wit or high bre
: profligacy, whenever the wise
t the great are betrayed. A powe
!. which everybody has, a powe
4 which, when cultivated so as to b
g the talk of the day, is nothing BIT
g what may be easily acquired by a
! most ANYBODY. And what is it u