The Opelousas courier., 1896-05-09

A Word for Ourself.

We have resumed the editorial man
agement of this paper. fully determined
to maintain strictly Democratic prin-
ciples. We will not abate one jot or
one title our lifelong devotion to
them, but one thing must be under
Stood. which is that we will make war
OIL any measure we believe to be mis-
named Democratic, although it may
enanate from the party calling itself
Democratic.
1t has become practice of late wears
to call anything Democratic however
monstrous it be. and to require every
one to support it who af1iliales with the
party. The consequence is, the old
party that planted itself, and that grew
up and became Overpowering in this
great republic. on the principles enun-
ciated by Jefferson, has ruined itself
everywhere and become emasculated.
To avoid the consequences it has re-
sorted to the Infamous habit of igDor-
ing the Constitution and laws estab-
fishing the rights Of voters and defin-
ing the duties of Off GERS.
In St. Landry the voters have become
disgusted with the party. A new set
of officers have been elected and will
soon go into office. We promise them
now that it they enforce the laws fear
lessly and impartialIy in all eases, they
shall have our unqualified support in
SO doing. We intend to watch al! the
the officers, believing it our duty as
Journalists to inform the people who
have elected them. We will speak of
their actions as they are, and will not
attempt to whitewash their willful
shortcomings and official derelictions.
because we voted for them. We voted
for them because we believed they
would do tLeir duty fairly and well,
and as long as they justify that belief,
we will take pleasure in holding them
up for the admiration of all honest
men. We feel confident they will com
ply with all their pledges and satisfy
the people of st. Landry that they were
right in electing them.
Our Judge elect, Hon. q. l.. Dupre, is
pride will he prick to his ambition,
and sustained by an able bar will ad-
minister the laws intelligently.
r. Lee Garland, the District AttGr-
Bey elect, is a young gentleman of fine
QuaIifications-and full of vigor. We
feel confident he will prove terror to
evil doers, and in all respects act up to
very high standard Of official duty.
Our Clerk, Judge A. Pavy, is Il gen.
tleman OF great arhanity. and is per
fectiy familiar with the dnties of his
office. Add to this his integrity, and
We have Clerk fully up to the highest
standard of excellence.
Ell. III. DeshOtels, our newly elected
Sheriff is gentleman of fine under
standing-and OF unimpeached moral
worth and courage. He will appoint
such deputies as the public can respect
and rely on for the faithful perform
ance of duties in all civil and criminal
matters. We hazard nothing in prom
ising the people Of st. Landry such an
administration Of the Sheritf's Office as
will give security to all law-respectlng
citizens, or certain arrest ot criminals.
Elisha Andrus, Esq, who has long
been known to the people of st. Landry
as an efficient deputy, is to be the right
bower of the sheriff, and the bare an
nouEcement Of the fact, is quite snffi-
cient to satisfy them that the duties OF
the Sheriff's office will be performed at
all times, just as they should be.
In our observations of the acts
of the newly elected officers. we
will alWays make due allowance for in
experience. We know that time and
service are required to fully qualify
officers for the perfect discharge OF
their duties. Until they can become
acquainted with them. they may
sometimes fall into small errors, but
with right men in right places (and we
believe we have them) good sense,
honesty and pride Of character will, ID
a short time, enable them t0av0ld them:
We hops for "a government Of Jaw and
good order nndersthe new regime, and
trust that evil doers may be taught that
nenalties follow crimes, and that there
be no escape for them. 1t is high time
to do away with miserable snbterfuges
behind which favorites shield them
selves and avoid the law.