The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1902-01-04

should be known as the president,
aud by no other term.
The official title of Theodore
Roosevelt is s'The President.
! Brave Words.
Daily States.
A feeling almost of despair seized upon
the rock ribbed Democrats of Louisiana when
the dispatches from Washington announced
that the entire Louisiana delegation had
decided to Join hands with the Republicans
on the Philippines tariff legislation. For
many months Democrats in Louisiana and
throughout the country had denounced the
Republican theory of divorcing the constitu-
ton from, the flag of the country, hence,
when the news came from Washington that
the louisiana delegation was to give its as
sistance to such plan. the Democrats of
this State who had consistently fought such
a proposition felt no little humiliation over
the result. At the time this came to
us the States promptly declared that as a
Democratic journal it could not and would
not stand for program which involved a
| qualification of all its past professions, but
| that it would continue, as formerly, in the
straight old Democratic path that was
mapped out by the fathers of the party and
the founders of our most admirable system
of government.
1t was, therefore, with feeling of unal-
loyed pleasure that the States gave place
yesterday afternoon to the splendid inter
view with Senator Foster, in which he
planted himself squarely upon Democratic
ground, and declared his intention to vote
against this Republican proposition.
1t does seem to the States that the time
has about arrived when Louisiana Congress
men should cease carrying water upon both
shoulders. It is not seemly to denounce
Repu blican measures at home and then rush
to them with open arms the moment they
hit the gravel at Washington. Louisiana is
overwhelmingly Democratic in sentimen:
and her'people have embraced the doctrines
of that party as a matter of earnest convic-
ton. 1t is not fair to the people who en-
terrain such convictions to be put in the at
ttude at Washington of being ready to
chance convictions and settled principles for
imaginary gain. The States has the warmest
of personal feelings for the members OF the
Louisiana delegation who voted for the
Payne bill; it supported every one of them
in the campaign which sent them to Wash
ington as the representatives of this State in
the National Congress-. For this reason it
has right to express its vigorous dissent
from the position they have taken, and to
register solemn protest against their ac-
ton, on behalf of the. Democracy of the
State. The political convictions of the peo-
pie of great State are not to be made the
mere sport of circumstance, nor is it seemiy |
that these people should be held up to the
gaze of mankind as having no convictions on
political questions that they are not ready to
barter for personal profit.
When the news came from Washington
that the entire delegation had gone over to
the support of the Payne measure the States
was bowed down with detection and humi- |
liation. If this were 20 be the ultimate re-
suits of the struggles of the brave apostles Of
Democracy who. through storm and shade,
through spoliation and blood, have borne
alott the white banners of the Democracy
for so many years, it indeed seemed that the
time had arrived when the sacred ensign
should he folded up and laid away
of the brave days when mems
hearts were stout and the blood in their
veins was red. 1t seemed to be really futile
10 continue struggle for principle when the
Democratic party of Louisiana in the heydey
still mounting its cheeks and a united and
people composing its inn
Mortal phalanx, should march tamely up to
he camp of the enemy and hand over to it
he emblems of its power and majesty to be
,ffered upon the affairs of supposed ex-
The strong and loyal words of Senato,
Foster in Yesterdays States rang like the
totes of silver bugle announcing the fact
hat there is still remnant in Israel who .
AVE not bowed the knee to the Baal of pro-
ection. and that their unsullied banners will
'et be unfurled upon the hill tops in the
,reat fight of principle against greed. 1t
vas indeed d note of hope and joy to every
ar in the ranks of the militant Democracy
f Louisiana, and it thrills the heart with an
aspiration that is the harbinger of certain
riumph in the end.
seLet us repeal our navigation
Avs, urges the indianapolis News .
Ind \ ssand then if orr nor~h ant