The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1895-12-14
Usurpation Of potuer.

and are necessary to the deve-
|opment and advancement of republican
government; but political parties are or
should be organized on we'll defined 60
rules of action. In Repu-
bic, the citizen should have political
creed, as firmly fixed as religious creed.
Arepublican or democratic govern
ment IL founded on the faith that the
people can understand their interest
and that they are fully able to take care
of it, and shape the policy of their 60
vernment. Hence the will Of the majO-
rity freely and fairly expressed is or
should be the paramount governing
rule. And in our belief. strict adher-
ence to this fundamental principle OF
Democracy. is the only thing that can
or will preserve the organization Ut any
political party. no matter what are the
policy and measures it advocates. Any
departure from this principle is shock |
ing to that feeling of fair play. which |
is innate in the masses. and is always
looked upon by them az an encroach-
ment on the prerogativs of the people.
There was time. when the candidates
| for President Of the United States, were
chosen and their names presented to the
people. to be voted for by the members
Of both houses Of Congress. This mode
of supplanting the expression of the pO'
pular will. and of Fostering the adj
vancement of some mission of King eau
Gus Court, was exercised and was weak.
ly acquiesced in until 1924, when Mr..
lCrawford of Georgia, a fa,Orite OF the
king, was selected. nominated aud pro-
claimed the democratic candidate for
President. Mr.. Crawford. was the choice
of the politicians of his time; but An
drew Jackson. was the choice Of the peO
Die and they rebelled against Kink eau
Gus and voted for old Hickory. and King
Caucus was decapitated; bat immedi-
ately upon his execution. Queen Con-
, yentien, Minervalike. sprung into exis-
tence. out of the brain of the decapita
ted king, fully grown and equipped
with all the engines Of political war
fare. Like Minerva, queen convention
had no mother. and We are not aware
that she has ever sought the bliss Of The
5 matrimonial state. but she sOOn gave
birth to twin brothers. known by tn
patriotic names Of National and Stat
committees. Before the birth OF tn
twins and during their minority QUEER
Convention, looked upon her whole peO
pie as her children, and would consul
them and conform her action to thei
wishes. believing them to b. the bes
: Judges of their interests and Of the mod
u and manner Of safeguarding them. Blu
. Alas! the queen is getting old. her vigo
u aud firmness have faded away with hs
. youthful beauty. and her twin-bOys hav
y grown. willy and powerful and are deter
~ mined to circumvent her in her homes
~ purpose to ascertain the will aud wisht
:" of her people in their choice of publ
70 servants and in the measures better ca
y culated to benefit the general good.
The Democratic Convention to sele'
~ and nominate Candidates for State Of
~ ces. is to meet at Shreveport on the l8a
~ of December 1895. This convention wi
q be composed of delegates elected by Il
" people to represent them. Now. it is a
' American principle, that all convention
as we'll as legislative bodies. are Il
Judges of the election and qualiicstit
of their members. This right las a
= ways been recognized and exercise
y without protest from any one; but tw
'0 brother Louisiana State Committee, h
usurped and arrOgated the power to pa
'0 upon the credentials of the delegates
the Shreveport Convention; this Oh
part of the State Committee. Is an G
~ crOachment Oh the rights Of the peOl
aud an infringement Of the prerOgal
Of the old queen; and by the exercise
to this usurped power. the State Commit
nd will have it in its power to organize
is Convention to suit its purpose.
Perhaps the weakness OF a moth
- may cause her to submit to this arrC
ance Of her offspring but we believe a
We hope that there will be enough ma