St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1916-04-08

"As for myself despite my great
personal regard for John M. Par
ker, based upon a thorough knoWl-
edge of his character and merit and
feeling that it will be refreshing to
the whole state to see business
methods instead Of machine politics
applied to the administration OF
public affairs, still if we had a real
old time Democratic party in Lou
isiana, standing for equal opportu-
mites and equal rights to all and
special privileges to none, abso-
lutely divorced from the city or
coutry bossism, I should be con-
strued by the tenets Of a life-tlif4e
to vote for its candidate. But may
a kind Heaven forfend us against
the contingency Of the election to
the governorship of the nominee OF
a boss combination which does not
even know the word Democracy.
DURUESSON'S ATTITUDE
II hold that any Democrat wac
participated in the primary, wf1etn-
er he voted for Pleasant or Basret
or neither, is legally and morally.
free as the air he breathes, to vote
for Parker at the general election.
Nay, more. If he believes that Par
ker would make Louisiana a better
governor than Pleasant, it is not
only such voters right, but his d'fty
to vote for Parker"
Extract from a speech delivered
by Hon. E. B. Dubuisson, whose de-
votion to white supremacy AMI
Democracy cannot be questioned.
CITIZENS FIRST DUTY
Judge E. D. Estilette, Confederate
veteran and a wal horse of the re-
| construction Democracy, writes
from O~pelousas:
but let it be observed their
| speakers have all suddenly turned
moralists. They contend that any
one who has voted in the primary
election is morally bound to sup
port the candidate chosen. This is
| all fudge, and the argument is only
used for the purpose Of leading the
weak-minded to support Pleasant.
In ethics it certainly has no force.
'VThe first and principal obligation
of a good citizen is to do that which
will best subserve the interest. OF
the state.
"In other words his first duty IS
to the state. His obligation to the
/, party is of secondary Importance.
Therefore, he who believes that
John M. Parker's business admlnis-
tration of the affairs of the state
will bring Louisiana greater ben
fits than the administration Ut
Pleasant, a lawyer, is in duty, is
morally bound to vote for Parker.
To do otherwise will be to vioiate
his principle of moral obligation to
the state. He cannot seek any ex-
cuse in the fact that he voted in
the primary and is therefore, morally
bound to support its nominee. 1t is
d false doctrine: it is the placing &c
party above the state which no
good sensible citizen can admit.
''E. d. ESTILETIE.'
WHAT BRYAN SAYS
Mr.. Bryan says
1.-THE right to bolt or abandon is
essential unless the man is TO he
come a mere machine and unless
the party machine is "a become ON
nipotent.
agreement in opinion IS The es-
tsentiaI thing; who would define a
tparty "a number OF persons differ
ing in opinion, but united ii the
effort to secure the Offices"
1.-THE party is a means, not an
lend; it has no reason for existence
except as it enables tha citizen to
secure good government. " hen is
a man justified iii abandoning his
party9 Obviously, when he salts
fies himself that sanie Other party
is a better means through which to
serve his country,
A
If abandonment OF pa.:Y Il ever
justiflable the voter mn-t determine
when the time for abandonment
arrives. When should he decided
The proper time. If not The only
time, is after the party has adontel
its platform and named ils eandi-
date. Until that time ne does roi
know whether he can rely upon il
to secure the government which hf
regards as good and and the ieg.s,a-
ton which he considers necessary
"Does participation in a primary
or convention bind the voter to sup.
port a policy which he considers
ruinous? If he tries, through ais
party organization, to save hit
country and fails must he then taks
a hand in its destruction?
Or will it recognize the right O
all Democrats to a voice in the de-
liberation Of the party, with TIL
reserved right to abandon TIN,