The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1904-03-26
iLOUSAS, PARISH OIL
Very COnsiderate.

Very Considerate.
AS there has been announced in
public print "the Democratic cam
paign will bo a vigorous one," and
that "the campaign will be con-
ducted along lines of harmony, with
a hand of fef10wsltP held out to
every Democrat ofthe State. There
will be no excuse for any one leav-
ing the party because he happened
to be on the losing side in the pri-
mary. BE will be given full show
in the canvass of the State, and if
he likes he will have an opportu-
nifty to speak"
This is considerate, very.
This pronouncement is from New
Orleans, and was no doubt formn-
lated AND approved by official au-
thority.
What is its signifcanceg
Construed, as published, it may
be interpreted by the average citi-
zen as an admission that there has
not been and there is not now that
harmonious cordiality between the
two factions of the Democracy of
Louisiana which should prevail,
and that as the Republicans are in
t9e field, contesting against Dem
3cracy, ''the hand OF fellowship is
held out to every Democrat of the
State"
By whom is this hand of fellow
ship held out, and why!
1t will be recallethathat it was
General Leon Jastremskf who, as a
brave, gallant, broad gauge citizen,
and a. Democrat tried and true,
compimented his opponent on his
success at the Democratic primary,
and as Democrat and a gentleman
rendered his services, if need be,
against the common enemy, the
Republicans.
And the Jastremskites who have
kept abreast Of events may recall
that there has been little harmony
evinced, and that the faction, gloat-
ing over it's triumph, failed when
there was an opportunity for con.
ciliation at the organization of the
Democratic State Committee to ex-
paud to that degree of harmony
which should have been suggested
by craftsmanship. However, the
Caucasian is not inclined to be
captious, but is simply calling at
tention to what should have been
the policy of conciIiation and har
mony, and to now criticise declar-
alton which is a reflection on the
Democrats who gave their loyal
support to General Jastremski, and
who Glove him for the political
enemies he has made"
With considerable gravity we are
told "there will be no excuse for
any one. leaving the party because
he happened to be OH the losing
side in the primary"
In the Caucasian's opinion this is
the superlative degree of asininity,
aud still more asinine is the asser-
ton that che will be given a full
show in the CANVASS of the State,
and if he likes he will have an op-
portunity to speak"
Why this implied distrust, this
] ssfFassii,8isSsfnasssis damnable reflection
-~tffF6S no excuse for any
one leaving tie parry BECAUSE he
happened to be ON the Sing side
in the primary7"
What is "the party?" Who is
"the party?" Is it owned and con.
trolled by one or few of the
chosen? Is it the exclusive prop
erty of the dominant faction?
Fortunately loyal Democrats are
not so easily or readily swerved
from their fealty-we mean thai
the great majority Of Democrats
who vote; the Democrats who are
loyal from principle, and not from
long feeding at the public crib, per
haps; the Democrats who have fol
guide the plain path of duty will
not leave the Democratic party be
cause they happened to be on the
losing side of the primary.
This implication, this insult tt
Democrats of Louisiana, is the ema
nation of a brain of self-conceit, ont
circumscribed by narrow and i'll
concealed prejudice, one who ha
assumed that others would be gov
erned in their action and be as dis
loyal as he would be if he occupied
their relative position.
| In calm, considerate words w
declare that the Jastremskites nee'
no invitation to join the Democrati
party or do their duty as Democrat
untrammeled; as Democrats pledge
or bound to no combine; as men VIII
have never shirked responsibilit,
or evaded a duty. They are toda
as they always have been, loyal an
true, true and loyal to the Demot
racy they will ever be; and the
4 will maintain at all hazard the II
tegrity of the State, unmoved b
questions and issues which are dea6
unmoved by sentimental pleas G
: appeals to race prejudices. Th
Jastremskites, as Democrats, kno'
and appreciate their duty, and i
} it's exercise and execution they nee
: no suggestion or advice from th