The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1898-01-01
TIE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE
COMING ELECTION.

$ AeS(l
will take place throughout the State
a most important election, the out.
come Of which may affect the people
Of this state for good or evil for many
years to come.
The people will he called upon to
determine by their ballots whether OF
not we shall have a constitutions
convention, and ut the same time to
elect delegates to represent them in
said convention, should a majority OF
the people vote in favor of it.
The Importance Of the election lies
In the fact that it is distinctly under
stcod that the rdison detre Of tie
convention, should one be called, will
he the limitation of the right OF suf-
frage so as to cut off from the electo
rate the vast bulk Of the negro vote.
That Is the distinct, clear cut issue,
and no amount of frothy misrepresen-
ting and deceptive defamation on
the part Of demagogues and Of the
members Of the Populist- Nigger-Re-
publican combine can obscure that
issue. 1t has been clearly made and
frankly stated by the democratic
party ; it has been Incorporated il its
platform ; and that party presents 10
the people as its candidates for dele
gates To the constitutional convention
good men aud true, pledged to carry
ont this platform declaration.
1t is not true that the democratic
party intends to disfranchise the poor
white men, as some demagogues as
sert and proclaim ; it is not true that
the democratic party is snimical to
any class Of white men the demo
cratic party, on the contrary. has
been. ia now, and, We believe, always
will be the truest friend Of the people
Of the South, and has bravely battled
for aud ever maintained their rights.
preserved their liberties and upheld
civilization.
The democratic party is not the
enemy Of the negroes, although it b.
n~nalterably opposed to negro domin
alton. Believing in the superiority Of
Caucasian race recognizin. It's
influences over the civilization
% the world /; viewing with satisfat-
ton its achievements on this CONT
neut and proud OF the history of that
in ia own state, it is resolved
nothing shall interfere with the
progress of that race towards Il higher
civilization aud more perfect form of
government under wllIci, all men mn !
freely engage, each according TO his
his bent, 10 the pursuit of happiness.
of the i%nferiorit5 of the
race; aware of its de
and destructive c~haracteris-
lies which blight civilization an d
cad to corruption and barbarlsm
wherever that ace dominates, it rec
the absolute necessity Of
w~ithdrawins, as far as possible, its
influence from our political lite, and
It frankly tells the negroes that it is
not good either for tie whites or for
that they should exercise
my influence over the political life of
he State. 1t lies not to them By
them that they are as good as,
the equals Of, the whites. 1t prom
ses them equal rights and protection
or life, liberty and property before
he law, but warns them that tue day
i their supremacy is past /; that the
good of the country requires
hat the white man should rule and
nle without interference from negro
influence.
This is the enunciatIon OF the prin-
iples Of the democratic party on the
main issue before the people of the ;
tate, an enumeration in which every
rue white mar IN the State NAV
CONCUR, regardless Of his past
%'olitical utilization, and without sac
of his party principles on other
ssues. And here be it said to their
redit. many republicans of promi-
ence in the State heartily concur 10
lese principles and look with favor
{ the efforts OF the Demncratic Marty