The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1915-12-11
CALL A HALT,

In commenting upon the large gath
ering that responded to Mr.. John M.
Parker's date at the Athenaeum last
week, the Times-Picayune in its lead
ing editorial, Dec. 3, utters some plain
truths, which should be regarded as
words of warning rather than any
sign of party treachery on the great
daily's part. 1t says in effect what we
said at the incipiency of Mr.. Parker's
campaign, namely that the state de-
mocracy should cease pickering, stop
| following after vain issues, unite on
worthy standard-bearer and present
an unbroken front to the strongest
single opponent that the party has
ever had in Louisiana.
Says the Times-Picayune:
"The campaign so far has been dis
couraging and hurtful. Democratic
issues have been ignored or side
tracked; and no plan worth moments
consideration has been suggested to
meet any Of the difficulties confronting
Louisiana or that can give any as
surance Of relief. The candidates have
discussed prohibition from every pos
sible angle, but prohibition
or anti-prohibition has never been
claimed Democratic issue. They have
fired charges against each other and
engaged in ordinations, recrimina-
tons and explanations; but this is not
Democratic nor In the interest of the
party which calls for the healing of old
wounds and the bringing of Democrats
together again instead of stirring I'D
differences.
Scarcely blow has been struck for
Democracy, for return to government
by the people, for the people, We are
promised no change, no relief. Rule by
rings and politicians is to continue
with all the confusion and difficulties
into which such misgovernment and
undemocratic government naturally
plunged as. 1t is this failure to take
up popular and living Democratic issues
on the stump which has alienated so
many Democrats, and Is responsible
for Parker's big and imposing meeting
OF Wednesday; and which will mean
more of such meetings unless halt is
called in the plan of campaign now
being pursued, and it is made more
truly Democratic.
The sentiment in New Orleans
and we believe throughout Louisiana
lis against machine rule, masquerad. |
ing under the name of Democracy. as
the elections of 1888 and 1896 showed. |
Unless there is more genuine Democ-
racy injected into the primary cam |
paign, unless Democratic issues, and |
not personal ones, are discussed, I'M
less the candidates for governor take
the people into their confidence and
present some practical and intelligent
plan for relief, and demand govern
ment by the people, the party will en-
counter the same fate it has met with |
in this and other states when under
the leadership and control of the office
holders and politicians, it has deserted
the path of Democracy and abandoned /
the interests of the people in order to
provide fat jobs for the large force of
politicians and their camp followers
and hangers-on."
Every word of the foregoing quota
ton is true. There is reason, truth
and grave warning contained in every
line, and all Democrats, who do not
wish to see the party in Louisiana be-
coming the tail of the Progressive
kite should do something to restore
confidence in the party's aims and
purposes, at once. Faithful are the
wounds of (by) friend" and it is ]
better that pride should be wounded
low than the party's very life later. {