The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1897-12-18
THE PLAT TORN OF THE BATON
ROUGE CONTENTION.

Elsewhere we give a resume Of the
work of the Baton Rouge Convention
relative to the selection of delegates at
large. The convention did good work
in the matter of selecting delegates,
ard is no less to be commended for
tue sensible resolutions it adopted as
its platform, which follow:
ave tile Democrats OF Louisiana. ia
convention assembled, appealing to
the grand achievements of the Demo-
cratic party SO signa'ly illustrating the
history of the State and nation for
proof of its sincere, enlightened and
patriotic devotion to the public vel
fare, confidently address ourselves t.
the awakened intelligence and en-
lightened conscience Of orr fellow
citizens in the following declaration Of
facts. principles and proposes.
1--WE reaffirm our allegiance and
fidelity t. the grand essential princi-
pies of Democracy AS announced by
illustrious founders of the party and as
Interpreted and enforced by their able
and worthy successors from the days
of the immortal Thomas Jefferson TO
the present time.
1--WE renew and emphasize the
pledges Of the Democratic party for
the preservation of all personal aud
civil rights. freedom of speech, free
dom of conscience and the equality Of
all men before the Law. With just
pride we recall the record of our par
~ written in the history Of Louisiana
and nfthe Democratic party have been
one and indivisible. During all these
years the Democratic party alone has
preserved for US all of freedom and
civilization that have been saved from
the wreck and ruin wrought by the
twin Republican demons of uncousti-
t%utioual reconstruction and negro suf-
frage.
!.Much remains to be done to fully
restore our liberties and finally eradi-
cate the evil effects Of the political
crimes committed against Louisiana
by tho Republican party during the
s~tarless night Of reconstruction. To
accomplish this work, as well as to
inaugnrate other needed reforms, a
Democratic Legislature has called
a Constitutional Convention. The
policy Of the Democratic party in that
convention shall be directed to the
adoption of a Constitution which shall
comprise an enlightened, benefcent
and economical scheme of government
which shall insure the fullest measure
Of peace, prosperity and happiness
that an all-wise Providence may
vouchsafe to Louisiana. To this end
we pledge the Democratic party and
the nominees to this convention,
81. To the faithful observance of
all the limitations imposed upon the
authority of the convention by the
act of the Legislature ordering its
c~onvocation.
80: To the adoption Of a Constitu-
ton which shall have for its sole OBJ
ject the wellbeing Of the people of
Louisiana, of all classes and condi-
tions.
%. To such a qualification of the
suffrage as shall, forever hereafter
guarantee that the government of
Louisiana shall be entrusted to her
her intelligent white citizens. Con-
scious of the perfect justice of our
cause, we submit this declaration of
principles and purposes to the con
siderate Judgment of our fellow-citi-
zens, fully confident Of complete sue
cess at the polls"
With thu delegates presented to the
suffragans Of the State and tins COM
p%rehensive and clean cut declaration
of the objects and purposes to be ac-
complished by them in the conven-
ton, the Democracy may we'll appeal
with confidence to the honest and
patriotic men of Louisiana to support
them at the polls.