St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1912-07-27
Address to Democratic
Voters.

ITO THE DEMOCRATIC VOTERS OF Fl
SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
III general campaign Committee of Hon.
John w. Lewis respectfully submitted the
voters Of the District, the following In be-
half of MI. Lewis candidacy:
We call the attention of the voters OF the
Seventh District to the formal announce
ment of Hon. John W Lewis, OF st. Landry,
for the position of Congressman from the
Seventh Congressional District, and Whicn
appears in YBFious newspapers of the Dis
trtet, n we bespeak the support OF the
Democracy in his behalf.
It is generally known thai very soon after
MIR. Pu1o made his positive declaration that
he would not be a candidate, Mr.. Lewis, in
response to calls from different parts or the
District, announced that he would run for
the place.
and began his campaign with a substantial
| following from a number of praiShes In tho
District and especially from his own parish
| St. Landry
Mr.. Lewis was born in the city of 0pelou-
sas, where he now resides, thtrry.seYen
years ago. He received his academic edu-
| cation in the public schools OF his native
ttown and at Centenary College, at Jackson,
| La. His legal education he received IN the
office OF his father, Hon.Thos. II. eWi ana
at the University OF Virginia.
MIR. Lewis has been practictng law with
his father under, the name of Lewis & Lewis
Tor near thirteen years and his success In
that profession is well recognized tnrougn-
out the State OF Louisiana.
Even before he attained his majority ana
as early as 1885 Mr.. Lewis has been an ae-
i've participant IN politics; taoa agT IKE ms
In 1886 he was teaching schooltn Mnmou:
st. Landry parish, and when the battle OF
White supremacy began u r.. kanary ne
ment which terminated In the Constitution
al Convention of 1888 III the elimination
of the negro from the politics OF the stats.
In every Democratic Primary since 1888,
his time, his talent n his means nave
ever been at the command of the DemocraH
tic Party, and he has never vet asked for,
or received any of1ce, appointtVe or elec-
tive, except that OF Alderman at large OF
his native City of Ope1ousas, to which posi-
ton he was elected without opposition ana
served n term.
He accepted the leading place on the
Board of Aldermen for the purpose OF In
augurating municipal improments and es-
pecially the paving OF sidewalks, ana ne
and concrete sidewalks which has resulted
in giving to the City more paved side walks
than is possessed By any City OF its size In
the state of Louisiana.
Having accomplished that important sys-
tenn of b improvements for his CITY ne
declined q reelection and we think tnaI
his success In promoting the interest OF the
public, In thai respect, though in q modest
and limited way, gives promise of achieve
meut In behalf Of the people II ne be given
by the voters of this District q larger Held
for employment or his spirit and ability for
usefulness for public service.
He was the first young Democrat OF prom
Il A0DG0 III Ik4G OOO0
forces, and at the memorable conference
held at the GruneWaId Hotel on Aug. 81,
1911, he sounded the key note to the ap.
preaching campaign in the following un.
m~istakable language, widely published at
the time, n which brought to the support
of the league many young Democrats
Throughout the state:
81 say We want an i~ndepenpent untram-
melted Democracy. We want democracy
that invites aspiration and ability, not one
that smothers and destroys them; e vibrant
II and r01FrA HanllC Vrlfru nanfONFrn nV n ~ WIFI
demand purity IN politics and wisdom ana
economy In legislation. A Democracy that
will stand erect n self-reliant and that
will not have to crouch n cover beneath
the lash of some political s-Wash-bueklsr in
order to wilma place in n department OF
-FOUR government; one that Will destroy eY-
cry vesttge OF boss rule and machtns politics
and bring to the state that destiny which
her bound1ess her noble women
and stalWart men-have v~ouchsafed to her"
1t is Mr.. WI wish to meet his opponents
In joint and pubic debate at anypOint, or
points, in the District that may suit their
convenience. he will welcome their at
tendance at any meeting which his friends
may hold in his Interest, assuring them q
courteous hearing.
BE believes, and we agree with him, that
g joint discussion Of the political Questions
concerning the Federal Government, n
the appearance on the same platform OF
the candidates Will aid the voters in form
ing q judgement as to which candidate they
Mr.. Lewis has nothing to from the
voters u authorizes us to that
he will promptly and Cheerfully answer q
question addressed to him by 3 voter ofthe
District, His appeal for support will be ad-
dressed directly to the voters themselves
q nd hts hope OF winning til 2
confidence and support of a sufficient num-
Der OF the electors of the District TO elect
him is what has encouraged him to become
a candidate. and IS his sole reliance upon
winning the victory at the polls In this Con-
GENERAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.