The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1903-07-04
Gen. Jastremski's Position.

j l.
| The Felicianas, of jackson, in
commenting ON the open letter
addressed by Gen. Jastremski to
several other gentlemen reputed
to be candidates for Governor,
correctly says:
| The candidacy of Gen. Leon
Jastremski seems to have taken
well with the press of the State.
1t could not be otherwise. His
course was SO open, so manly, so
straightforward and in such strik-
ing contrast to the silent and eva
sive methods in vogue that it
touched a popular chord and sent
a thrill of admiration and enthu-
siasm through the liberty-loving
people of this State. Attention
is invited particularly to his open
letter to Messrs. Blanchard, Mi
chel and Price, published in this
issue. 1t is respectful and digni-
fed, and nothing on earth can
prompt those addressed to refuse
a reply one way or the other, save
a fear or reluctance to let the
people know how they stand.
Gen. Jastremski is making
good fight. Heretofore for one
to raise these issues has been to
meet with the cry-anti-adminis-
trationist-undemocratie, etc. ,etc.
But here we have man who has
been an administrationist through
thick and thin, whose loyalty has
never been questioned or doubted,
who is not smarting under the lash
of personal grievances or the lack
Of recognition and reward for SER
vices rendered-that calmly and
dispassionately, but pointedly and
unequivocally, takes the position
that it is time to change and put
the power back in the hands of
the people, who only surrendered
it to tide over the emergencies of
the reconstruction period. His
platform is not the elap-trap of a
demagogue, ON which he seeks a
patent or monopoly. On the con-
trary he gives earnest of his sin
cerity by publicly addressing an
open letter to his opponents,
giving the reasons for the faith
that is in him, and inviting them
to also come out in behalf of the
people, and of their right to NOM
mate and elect their officials. The
mere matter of aoho is to be elect
ed he makes secondary consid-
Grafton, and leaves to The indivi-
dual merits and popularity of the
candidates.
1t has been many a day since
candidate has come before the
people of this State with such
fairness, such candor, such hon-
Iesty. Whether he succeeds in
securing the office or not, Gen.
Jastremski has placed himself
head and shoulders above any
public man in Louisiana today, as
a bold, fearless champion of the
people and of the restoration of
their civil and political rights.
And though he may go down in
defeat at the hands of that arbi-
trary and undemocratie power that
was created only to be directed
against the ignorant and vicious
negroes of the reconstruction PEI
Rod, his candidacy will distinctly
and emphatically mark the begin
ming Of the end of our Republi-
can ScalaWag politics, and will
cover him with an honor and glory
that cannot be attained by any
competitor whose claims are not
sufficiently strong to submit to the
free and untramnclled will of the
people.
We trust we are not using lam
guage too strong or too harsh
when we assert the day has ar
rived when it is no longer demo-
cratic, honorable or honest to in
sist on retaining these reconstruc-
|tion measures and expedients in
our political system. The candi-
date who cannot succeed without
being holstered up by them be-
longs by right to the Kellogg
Yarmouth regime.
--epAe-----
4.
Miss Cecil Hollier lost valued
canine last Sunday who has been
with the family for the last thir-
teen years. He. was found dead
in her yard on Cher arrival home
from visiting friends.
You should know that it is to
your interest to patrnnize your
home Telephone Co. The service