Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-03-17
Fellow Citizens:

Fellow Citizens:
The Democratic party is about to enter
a contest with virile opposition, whose
strength we must not underestimate and
it behooves every loyal Democrat to
buckle on his armor and prepare for the
fray. Mr.. John M. Parker's hope for
success is based solely upon an appeal
to political dishonesty, disloyalty and
treachery, because the two Democrat
ic candidates In the recent primary
pOIIed 80 per cent Of the total elect.
oral vote of Louisiana, while Colonel
Pleasant alone poIIed 90 per cent Of
the total electoral vote Of this State.
] am not yet ready to believe that
they will violate their honor as par
Elephants in Democratic primary, In
which they could only take part as
registered Democrats by regulating
their own selected nominee and stand.
ard bearer, especially when he Is as
clean and respected citizen as Col. Ruff.
fin q. Pleasant, L0uisiana's native son.
Colonel Pleasant polled on the 18th ult.
over 81, 900 votes, having carried practi-
cally every parish in the State Of Louisiana
and his majority in. the'country parishes
alone far exceeded that given him by the
city OF New Orleans, demonstrating that he
is the candidate of practically united
Democracy without regard to section and
that it is the duty of every disciple OF
Jefferson to give him his loyal support.
TIMES-PICAYUNE QUOTED.
On the morning of the primary cleo
ton the esteemed Times-Picayune said:
eve do not believe it fair or honest to
enter the primary and vote for one OF the
two candidates for the gubernatorial nom-
lination with the intention of voting in
the general election against the nominee.
There will be some who do so, but we do
not believe that any worthy citizen will
be guilty of the double dealing of voting
for a man that he does not intend to
support. This cannot fail to degrade pol
itics, whereas what we need most IN
Louisiana is to elevate and purify them.
Honesty is the best policy in politics as
in business, and not only the best policy
but the only honorable course"
| To this splendid sentiment ! say Amen.
| JOHN M. PARKER QUOTED.
Mr.. Jno. NJ Parker in his speeches at
Burton, Ruston and other places gave
utierance to the same sentiment and ]
have personally heard him say that those
who expected or desired to vote for him
should not vote on the governorship in
the primary and he so advised his friends.
The Bull Moose committee issued SINH
lar statement, and yet 50 per cent of the
qualified electorate of this State voted on
the governorship in the recent primary.
Now comes this party of federalism
and false pretense and tells these hon
est citizens that they should disregard
their moral obligations as participants
in the primary, degrade the politics Of
our State and become political traitors
and bushwhackers. Away with such q
nefariOus doctrine. Louisianians who
have honor and red blood in their veins will
not be debauched by such sentiment.
III Mr.. Parker wants to be so high and
honorable he ought to retire.
COL. PLEASANT THE HONEST
Il NOMINEE.
Is there man i'm this State that will
for moment question the honesty oil
Col. Pleasant being the honest choice oil
the Democracy Of this State for the po-
sition of Governor? Mr. Peterman re-
Gently stated that some parishes had
polled more than their registered vote.
challenge the correctness of this state
ment in toto. defy him to point out
a single parish where it occurred. Such
a statement is characteristic of the meth
ods of the coming campaign. They first
told us there would not be over $4,000 OF
600 votes polled, because the people
were so dissatisfied and were longing for
the benefcent reign of Mr.. Parker. Then
when the vote Is almost rs large as
four years ago and Colonel Pleasant
received some $1,000 majority. they
say the election In the country was
crooked and fraudulent. Such denun.
citation and viIlification will have no
weight with sensible people. No one
will for moment dispute the definiteness
of Colonel Peasants nomination. His
honorable opponent, Governor Barrel,
has already recognized it and pledged his
support, while thousands OF his support
ers are doing likewise.
COL. PLEASANT WORTHY AND
WELL QUALIFIED.
Colonel Pleasant is a native son OF
Louisiana, born and reared on her soil
and identified with her every interest.
He is a distinguished graduate of our
State University and has her educational
interests close to his heart. lie was Lieu
tenant Colonel of the First Louisiana
Regiment in the Spanish:American war
and is in sympathy with our State militia.
He has filled the office OF assistant attOr-
ney general for four years and then as
head of that department during the pres
ent administration. He has therefore be-
come thoroughly identified with our
| finances, being a member OF the state
board of liquidation. He is man OF
moral courage and backbone and will