St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1916-04-15
STIRRING ADDRESS
MADE BY j. Y. SANDERS
EX- GOVERNOR DELIVERS AsTERPIECE FAVOR OF THE
GRAND OLD DEMO CRATIC PARTY
CROWD

Mississippi would be controlled by
the United States Government.
The speaker averted to the fact
that some Of the Parkerites have
severely criticised him for COM
ing to Louisiana to defend the
party which had repeatedly hon
ored him by election to office. He
said that he was only responding
to the call of duty and that he was
asking the voters of the Seventh
District to vote conscientiously on
the governorship, to the best in
terests of the state, adding at the
same time that he hought if they
would do this they would surely
vote for Ruffin G. Pleasant, the
friend of Woodrow Wilson, as
against John M. Parker, the friend
and supporter of Theodore Roose-
welt.
Ex-Governor j. Y. Sanders was
the next speaker introduced and
shouts of Go to it, j. Y" the ex-
chief executive officer of Louis
lana launched into an eloquent ad-
dress on behalf of the Grand Old
Democracy" Many who attended
last Monday nights meeting stated
that it was the best political speech
ever delivered by ]. Y. Sanders,
which means that it is the best
speech delivered in the courthouse
in many years.
Mr.. Sanders first started by say
ing that he cared naught who was
governor, whether it was Smith,
Brown or Black, but he was very
much interested in the party affili-
alton of the governor. He stated
that Ruffin G. Pleasant was elected
governor on the 3tst Of last Au-.
gust when the proposed constitu-
tional convention had been smota-
cred under an avalanche of coun-
try votes, overcoming the tremen-
dous majority in favor of the meas
ure given by the ward bosses in
New Orleans. Of all the officials
and state politicians, the ex-gov-
ernor said, Rufin G. Pleasant was
the only one to brave a fight against
The convention plan. lie fought the
combined efforts Of Robert Ewing
Martin Berhman, Governor Luther
Hall, Lieutenant Governor Thomas
y. Barret and the Bull Moose chief
an, going before the people of the
country parishes and making his
light against the convention. He
vas victorious in the country by
N overwhelming majority. For |
nat reason, alone, said the speaker, |
he ward bosses of New Orleans
we're forced to recognize Mr.. Pleas
mt as their choice and that is the
'eason why he was given a ma
ority in New Orleans.
He averted to the fact that Mr..
'ieasant could have been elected I
wen though he had not received a
lngle solitary vote in the city of
Sew Orleans, as the country voters
lad expressed their choice by an
.lmost unanimous vote.
He took filing" at the Progress
i've candidate for governor, who,
le said, was not we'll enough versed
n the laws of Louisiana to hold
he position of chief executive; he
yerted to the fact that Mr.. Par
er had claimed at the outset of
he campaign that he would see 10
that the national government
yould not pay the mileage of the
and Senator Rams
ell, when as matter of fact they
re not allowed but the convenIng
nd adjourning of Congress. Mr..
anders also mentioned the fart
nat Mr.. Parker had candidate
ominated by the Progressive con-
ention for attorney general against
ndge Coco because the Democratic
ominee had dared to speak
gainst him in French and Eng
sh. The speaker added that Mr..
arker had chosen a man, whom
le law would not allow to make
le race, because of participation
/ the Democratic primary.
Mr.. Sanders charged that Mr
arker had grown angry because
had beckoned to its
,rvants at Washington to come to
ouisiana to defend its nominees;
& stated that Mr.. Parker charged !
lat they should have remained at |
7ashington though it was meet and
eoper to bring Pujo and Brous-
I'd to Louisiana, four years ago.
r six months while Congress was
session in order to defeat him
,anders).
The speaker in glowing language
osed with a splendid review OF
e Democratic administrations II