Year: 1876

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Editor DemOcrdt-The Democratic
Conservative party Is an efficient organ
ization. composed OF the intelligent and


honest citizens OF the State. Its pur--


pose is to place In authority capable and


honest men. It aims to secure an up


right judiciary and an economical


administration of the government. III


Invested with power. the present crush


ing weight OF taxation will be mate


rally lessened and the revenues CT the


State devoted to legitimate purpose,


the protection of the lives. liberty and


property Of every citizen.


For eight years the Radical party has


had entire possession and control OF the


State government 1t has made Its


record. The statute book contains the


history of its legislation, the desolation


and poverty of the people. The shame


less extravaganza and corruption OF its


leaders constitute Its only claim for an
additional lease Of power.


In this State there are but two parties,
the one in complete antagoDism with
the other, and both preparing for an
approaching struggle. upon the issue OF
which depends. In u large measure, the
future destiny Of Louisiana.


Upon the eve of this grand struggle.
upon the part Of very few, an effort is
being made for the formation of third
party. Is it practicable


There should be no other than q nega-
tive response. The Democratic-Con-
servative party. as now constituted en-
braces all the elements of strength and
effectiveness. and, therefore. its disband-
ment, If possible. would DO frouRht
with imminent danger.


Ii the Democratic party. in its entire
ty. were disbanded. and its entire
strength concentrated under new
name. being simply the same organiza
tion under u new guise, the same fears
and preiudices which are alleged to
exist In the minds Of the black masses
against the present organization would
still exist against the new organization,
IL being essentially one and the same.
Aye, the opposition, perhaps, would be
more intense. for 1t would be alleged
that the individuals composing the new
organization were the same whom they
had heretofore confronted, and that the
change OF name was no real indication
Of sincerity OF purpose, but was simply
political ruse.


Thus the good expected to be accom-
plished would fail Of realization, and the
Democratic party weakened and rend-
cred spiritless by disintegratf0n and,





fall an easy prey to the still united CO.
horts Of radicalfsm.


Parties have and will continue to
exist. There are distinct and clearly
defined principles which have always
divided the great parties OF this re-
public.


They are clearly drawn in this centen-
nial year OF our history. Corruption |
and C@sarism are seeking to destroy
every vestige OF republicanism with the |
view OF erecting upon its ruins
an empire Ill, the rssidn central authority Madty
ington. deriving its support
and strength, through standing army,
in entire accord with the national au-
thorities. The worst features OF feder- |
alism have been revived without any OF |
the purity which distinguished that era |
OF our history. The bayonet and the
sword have been brought into promi-
nent display and State governments
overthrown and reorganized by the |
army OF the United States. To-day, in
Louisiana, the authority of usurpers.
is maintained solely by Federal bayo-
nets. When such momentous interests
are involved; when in every parish OF
tho State the people are prepar-
ing for the issue, why introduce
and confusion by the at
creation OF new party organ
ization?


Within the Democratic-C Conservative
ranks there are true men In sufficient
numbers to overrule and control any
and impracticable element.
What Is needed is simply the nomina-
tiOn OF patriotic, capable and honest
men in whose impartiality and integrity
the people can contide. With the NOM
ination Of such men pledged to tho
measures Of reform which the interests
Of the country imperatively demands,
there should be no division in our ranks
and no such word as fail. The Demo-
cratic Conservative party will place in
men whose characters are
above suspicion. Let the people
patiently and confidently await the
result let every citizen having the
welfare Of his State at heart withhold
no exertion in securing the election Of
capable and honest delegates to repre-
sent them in the State Convention, to
be holden ut Baton Rouge on the Gath
Of July, for the purpose Of nominating
4 State ticket.


With the eyes Of the entire people
turned toward the Convention, and the
of good government rest
ing upon its decision, no fears need be
that it will prove recreant
10 the hopes and wishes OF the people
whose enthusiasm and votes are essen
.ial to success. CITIZEN.