St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1910-09-03
WILD, RU-
MORS AGAINST c o
Gov. Sanders Shows that the Statements of the Pre-
sident of the Reform League Are
Not Based on Facts.

@ S 80 0os
Sanders has given answer to til
statements made BY Thomas Il
Lewis in New Orleans, Aug. %, il
which he takes issue with Mr.. Levi
on the accuracy Of some Of the utter
ances. The statement follows:
AT q meeting held last Monday il
New Orleanf at the Grunewald Hote
the chairman, Thomas H. Lewis, o.
st. Landry, delivered a speech which
was reported in full il the press the
following day.
This speech is so inaccurate anG
misleading, and, coming as it does
from the chairman of the meeting, j
feel chat it calls for a reply.
No speech, no matter by whom
delivered, can make facts. Tlis ad.
ministration viii be Judged upon the
record Of things accomplished and
not upon the denunciation Of its
enemies.
AT this time, when all the energy
and talent Of our people should be
engaged in the great work III irving
to get for Louisiana the Panama Elk
position, it would be unfortunate, in
deed, if we were to be plunged into a
fractional or partisan warfare.
II depreeate the beginning Of a
campaign at this time. Next year,
when the exposition matter shall have
been settled, will, in nv opinion. Be
the appropriate time for Us to settle
our political differences. I depre-
cate the tone OF unusual bitterness
which was predominant at this meet
ing. / will 60 to any length, CON
r. @#f#EEE
sistent with my own IDEAS Ct right
and wrong, for the sake Of peace
and harmony, but if nothing will
satisfy my enemies save to open the
campaign now, / stand ready and
willing to meet them before the peo-
pie. In the campaign, however,
whenever it may open, I propose 10
conduct my end Of it II 4 dignifed
and self-respectiag manner without
branding those who may oppose me
traitors TO the State, pirates,
p~oliticallians Of political prostitutes
Every citizen IS entitled to his
opinion and TO his vote, and lie IS en-
titled to exercise the prerogatives Of
That citizenship without having bis
motives impugned, his honesty ques-
toned Or his character maligned.
Some months ago a proposition
was advanced looking towards a con-
stitntional amendment in order that /
might be a candidate to succeed NY
self in the Office of Governor. Fore
seeing that this movement would
engender bitterness and strife at a
time when The best thought Of Louis
iana's people was needed along other
lines than that Of political warfare,
stated, in an interview, that, though
felt confident that such a constitu-
tional amendment would be submitted
BY the Legislature, and when snb-
mitted would be adopted by the pee-
pie, yet that in the interest of har-
monY and looking only to the vel
fare Of Louisiana / would ask my
friends not to present or to pre5s
such a measure.
WOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH.
Since that time / have been more
convinced than ever that such a con
stitutional amendment would have
passed the Legislature and | conf
believe il submitted to the
people, would have been ratified ~
them. Nevertheless, ! believed then
and | believe now thar | was doing
what was right and proper and | have
no regrets for my action.
I'VE need feace in Louisiana, not
war We need harmony, not discord;
We need d spirit Of tolerance, not of
intolerance, and, above all things, we
need d spirit Of fair play and Of
honesty. % not propose II this or
81 any other time to make any state-
nent against those attacking me I'M
less ! can prove it from the record,
Ind whenever misleading or untrue
statements are made about me I pro
pose 70 go 70 the record and correct
hem. The speech delivered by Mr.,
Lewis bristles with Measurements
md is filed with inaccuracies.
With q view to getting at some
il Gle facts in the case, | addressed
HE lullnMing cammunieatl1nto Cart. /