The Natchitoches enterprise., 1916-04-06
A Democratic Campaign.

A Democratic Campaign.
Editorial in Times-Picayune August
13. 1614.)
We are glad to see that the
Democrats of the Third Congress
sional Districts have determined
to make a straight fight on Demo-
cratic lines, to elect to Congress a
Democrat running on the party's
principles. This is only fair and
Just by all. The conditions in the
district have heretofore been ano-
malous, for it has often been diff
cult to determine whether a voter
was Democrat, Republican or Pro
gressive. Nearly all of them were
registered as Democrats, although
many rejected and repudiated the
platform laid down by that party.
Such conditions cannot be main
tanned, and everyone will rejoice
that they are to 90, and that the
fight is to be made on Democratic
lines. Mr.. Wilson does not enter
into it in any way. The Third
District meeting did not indorse
Mr.. Wilson, his acts or his poll
cies. 1t did not accept his views
as those of the Democracy, but it
did approve the declarations made
by the councils of the party as
sembled at Baltimore. No one
can dispute the right of that con-
yention to decide what Democracy
really is; no one can pretend that
those who will not accept that
platform have any claim to be
regarded as Democrats.
Those who are Progressives
have not hesitated'to SO declare;
and have accepted its teachings.
Those who remain Democrats
must be equally outspoken, and
must give whatever aid they can
to the success of the party, its
platform, its principles anu its
candidates. 1t is no time for neu-
trails. There must be lineup of
Democrats acting with the party,
not allied with the Republicans,
nor doubtful, nor hesitant. Gov.
Hall has announced his willing
ness as leader of the State Demo
cracy to do all in his power t.
| assure success, and so has Mr.
Wilkinson, chairman of the Demo
cratic State Central Committee
The leaders, whose assistance ca:
help to victory, are Droclaimin;
their allegiance, expressing thei
satisfaction that the issues thi
year are at last being fought o
party lines and principles, ant
expressing their willingness t.
give any aid they can.
Under these conditions, it ]
natural to call for and expect til
cordial support of Hon. RobeT
Broussard, present ReDresentativ
I from the district and Democra
| tic Senator-elect from Louisiana
Mr.. Broussard's active aid in thi
matter is desired, because he ha
great influence in the district, an.
his appearance on the stump, or
ringing address from him to hi
constituents, laying down b.
views, will help the party leaders
MIR. Broussard was elected Con
gresham from the district as
Democrat, and he has never give
the slightest hint or linking tina
he had deserted or wayered in b
allegiance to the party. He VS.
an active member of the Demo
cratic National Convention at Ba
timore, and helped to frame tt
platform which all persons If tn
Third District are called on I
support. He was elected Senate
by the Democrats of the entil
State, and by accepting that nom
nation and election he is bound
the Democracy, not of one, but
all the eight districts of Louisians
to carry out their will, to repr
sent what they have declared
be the Democratic views of Lo'
isiana and the Union. As IL
leader of the Third District Dem,
cracy the obligation rests on BIZ
to blaze the political way and /
sweep aside all doubts. The Pr,
gressives do not hesitate in pr,
nouncing their allegiance to tn
party. Those who bear the nam
of Democrats must show the san
spirit and prove that they al
Democrats in principle as we'll
in name. No better or mo-
honest fight could be made tn
that now under way in the Thi
District, to find who are Dem
Gratis and TO assure their suppo
aid and votes to the party and
the party's candidate. 1t is NJ
Broussard's duty to his party /,
yIaalo,o h;vncole