The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1900-03-10
DEMOCRACY'S MESSAGE
To the Voters of LAFAYETTE Parish
Mr.. Heard, Senator NcEnery,
Congressman BrOuSsard
Speak to a Largo Crowd at the
Court. house The Republic.
an Party Arraigned and
Its Hypocrisy Ex-
posed.

pO8oO.
Thursday evening several hum
dreis of the Democrats of the par
ish gathered at the courthouse to
listen to Democratic speeches.
Mr.. VIM. Campbell called the
meeting to order. He paid a COM
pliment to the local Democracy and
predicted a triumphant victory in
April. Mr.. Campbell called that
faithful old Democratic Wheel
horse, Hon. R. c. Landry to pre-
side over the meeting.
Mr.. Heard, the nominee for gov
ernor, was the first speaker. His
remarks were in line with his pub
lished utterances. He spoke of the
present condition of the State, its
financial and other departments.
He replied to certain remarks at
tributed to Senator Caffery relative
to the increase in the assessment
of the State. He ridiculed the idea of
a forced assessment, saying that the
increase in the value of property
was due to the prosperity enjoyed
by the people under the wise and
economical administration of the
Democratic party. He did not be-
lieve in the sincerity of the Republic
can party when it declared for an
honest election. Warmoth pleading
for AN honest ballot sounded to the
speaker like the devil reproving sin.
He said no one had alleged fraud
in the elections held under the pres
ent constitution. The suffrage law
was the work of the best men in the
State and no one could truthfulfy
say it was fraudulent. No one
could show wherein it was dishon
est. Senator Caffery had been in
vited to join other Democrats of
State in framing the law, but, un-
like Senator McEnery, he had re-
NAMED away and denounced it and
was now denouncing it. Mr.. Heard
thought that when Senator Calf cry
had made up his mind not to carry
out the wishes Of the party that elect
ed him to the senate ne should have
resigned, instead of joining the
enemies and traducers of that party.
He-said the fundamental principle
of the Democratic party, as enun-
ciated by Thomas Jefferson, was
acouiescence in the will Of the
majority and yet there were men in
this State claiming to be Democrats,
who were advising voters to disre-
gard the will of the maj ority regu-
larry and honestly expressed. 1t
was the duty of Democrats every
where to abide by the verdict OF
their party. Mr.. Heard spoke from
notes. He made no attempt
at oratory, but dispassionately
discussed the issues of the
campaign in a conversational tone.
When the gubernatorial NOMINEES
was about to bring his speech to {
close rather unexpected scene
took place. 1t was both dramatic
and amusing. Mr.. ]. A. La neuville
a veteran of two wars and a hero "
innumerablea political conflicts
rushed up to the speaker an<
vigorously shook his hand, at thu
same time predicting that he woulo
the next governor of Louisiana
This brought down the house anc
was the signal for uproarious ap
plause.
Mr.. Heard's speech was we'll re
ceived and had a splendid. effect.
After some very exhllaratlnl
music by a local band under tn
leadership of Prof. Walter Mouton
the chairman introduced Senate
McEnery as the next speaker. -fh
senator received a most fatterini
ovation. The speaker said he wa
always happy to be able to speak &c
Louisiana Democrats, He was par
.ticuiarly happy to address the Louis
rama Democracy at this time, whe'
it was united without sectional -
factional differences. There wer
no Nichols men, no McEnery men
no Foster men, but they were all plai'
democrats. The convention hal
spoken, a good ticket was noml
n,,.u fhe, 6I1tv IF al