The Opelousas courier., 1896-03-07
THE RECORD.

Senator Blanchard's speech at Shreveport
was an extensive and brilliant Grafton, and his
historical review of Democracy was particu
larry fine. Among other good things he said:
The Democratic party has had control of the
government of the State for the past nineteen
years. 1t does not shrink from a scrutiny of its
record during that time. 1t is willing to stand
or fall, according as that record, fairly judged
is found good or bad, wise or unwise, conducive
to the public welfare and the advancement OF
the State. or the reverse. Coming into power
it found the State PROSTATE from the 1nisrnle
under which it had suffered SO long, it's indebt
edness enormously increased, taxation ruin
ously high, its credit at low ebb, its industries
languishing, its people disheartened, capital
throw the incubus off, to bring order out of
chaos, to restore confidence, to rehabilitate the
State, to inspire anew the stimulus OF hope in
the breasts Of the people, to revive and I'M
the Democratic, party addressed itself. 1t first
restored the government to the hands of its
own people-the intelligent and property hold
ing class: 1t put honest men in charge of az
fairs, and public office became a public trust,
These are the beneficial results OF Democratic
rule. This party, now in control of the State
government, pointing to this record of achieve
ment, seeks a renewal of the peoples trust. But
it seems that its right to rule, its claim to con-
tinued ascendency, is challenged. Not only that,
but its opponents deny that the government OF
the State has been wholesome or wise. They
charge that discomfort prevails among the PED
pie, and aver that there is good cause for it.
Oudul0 ~ lOILuuldLo Specific charges, thew al
tempt to group a host of imaginary ills under
the name of "FOsterism."
Thus is the Democratic party on trial before
the State. 1t ls arraigned at the bar of public
opinion. And who, let me ask, compose the
grand jury that has brought in the biilq Who
arethe public prosecutors who essay the diff
cult task of making good these charges2 In an
swer to these questions a coalition of incoD-
gruOus elements appears. Tt has been aptly
styled 1.-THE black-and tan-lily -Republi-
can Opulst combine"
1t constitutes a party composed of elements
that have no use for each other, have hardly
They have W themselves together in this
campaign in the same boat under a banner
which displays the only inscription on which
beat the present state Observation-Disclosures do
which, as one of their leaders said in a speech.
they would even take Satan himself BY the
hand"
such is the lofty sentiment that auimates
these patriots! Such the animus which per-
vades their campaign! But the Almighty has
placed the destinies of Louisiana in charge of
ohe Democratic samme party a} ,h and Il party must
State against the devil and his allies.
Thls whole movement is a disgraceful scram-
Bile for spOils, and the ~Originators Of it have the
cool effrOntery TO tell us that this shameful
dicker, this combination of diseordant elements
is made to save the State from evil, to execute
reforms, to redress the wrongs perpetrated upOn
the people by the Democratic party! God save
tne mark! What is there to reform in the State? |
Has not the State government been honestly |
and cOnscientiOnsly conducted? IT not, let
hem point to the instances where violations of |
duty and neglect Of the trust imposed by the |
people may be found. What State government
anywhere can make or has made a better ex-
hibitf Clean-handed, able, vigorous and strong. |
The administration of Gov. Foster not only |
ranks among the best the State has ever had.
est by the side OF any administration in any
state of the Union.