The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-01-28
Meeting OF the Loyal Men OF Louisiana.

McettnS OF Tue LOyal Men OIL LOUISIANA.
The earnest and unconditional Union men
of New Orleans. with representatives from all
portions OF the State within the lines of the
National forces, recently held large and en-
thusiastic mass meeting at the St. Charles
Theatre in that city-literally packing that
vast building from pit to galleries-which was
presided over by that unflinching Union man,
Hon. b. F. Flanders, and at which the follow
ing resolutions, which have the true ring of
patriotism were unanimously adopted.
WHEREAS, 1t has ever been a fundamental princi-
pie of free government that the people have the
right at all times peacefully to assenpler and dis
eass the matters pertaining to their political cond-
tion, and To declare to their public servants tho
measures deemed by them necessary to the happi-
ness, welfare and prosperity of the State; and
whereas. the present time peculiarly appropriate
20 ts 81 % To- the elaaord i n
position in which they have been placed by the
secession Of the State from the nation; by tho great
rebellion IN which her people have been heretofore
engaged but who are happily now rescued from its
dangers; and by the effects Of the assertion Of the
national power restoring to the loyal. citizens the
favored opportunity Of joining her sister
states, redeemed from slavery and purged from the
national curse;
Therefore we, the unconditional Union men Of
Louisiana here assembled In mass meeting, in full
and undoubtng confidence In the truth and justice
OF our cause, have hereby
Resotred, That the principle cnunciated in the
Declaration Of Independence in the following words
That all men are created equal; that they are en-
dowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
rights that among these life, liberty, and the
Atsnit Of happiness is no vague and glittering
sehefality. but a self-eyident truth lying at the
very basis OF free government and inseparable from
Resolred, That in the rebellion now raging we see
nothing but plain attempt to overthrow the prin-
eple thus announced, and to substitute for il con-
traactory principle, utterly false and fatally hostile
Resotred That to renstate the principle Of iiber-
y and equality in its integryto put end TO the
this State the blessings of free and liberal insttu-
tons and TO secure them for all time TO ourselves,
and our posterty-t Is our Imperative duty to have
aConyention which shall enunciate the above prn-
cple and reailirm II TO the world in new constitu-
ton Of the free State of Louisiana.
Resotred, That we firmly and confidently rely
upon the truths that men are capable Of selfgoy-
ernment that the experiment our iorcfathers ntia-
ted has been solved successfully, and stands be-
fore the world as an admitted truth of the possibility
Of free governments that all religions may be safely
tolerated; that all opinions may be safely allowed
expression; aud that Justice can be safely admins
tered 10 all classes color and conditions Of men un-
der our republican system.
hesofred, That the future slay ny of persons of
African descent in Louisiana is a moral legal and
phy steal impossibility and the proposed new con-
stitntion IN declaring its uoD-exstenee within the
borders of the State will only assert fact within
the knowledge Of all herioyal men.
Resoired. That cordially approve of all the
procaiations Of the President Of the United states
IN regard TO slavery in the insurrectionary dis
trics but particularly the one recently issued
under date Of sth December, 1865 that the means
pointed out by him for the rebelious States TO
turn to the Union are, in our opinion. eminently
iustand wisei and that the loyal men of Louisiana
are now ready and willing to adopt them, and
have nearly the required number Of registered
loyal citizens, good men and true, To bring back
founded.
Resoiced- That the action Of the "Free State ON
mittee" in calling upon Brig Gen. Sheplcy, Military
Governor of Louisiana, soliciting him to Order in
the name OF the people, an election for delegates
convention to form State constitution, is ap-
proved and ratified and he is hereby authorized and
requested to take all necessary steps TO have such
an election at an early day.
We were happy to notice that the course of
Gen. Shepley was approved and his energy,
sagacity and fidelity TO the true interest of the
County, recognised in fit and emphatic terms,
by the leading speeches.
The New Orleans Things says the Parishes
represented at the meeting contain popua-
tion%of 403,524 and adds that many of the
most prominent of the men conducting the
movement were sons of louisiana 1t SAYS
further.
For our own part, we have confidence in
them and in the able functionary entrusted
with the military government of the State.
We are for making Louisiana free State be-
cause we look upon that as necessity of her
future welfare; and we are for seeing her a
Tree State as soon as possible We shall there
fore, give the authorities our unreserred sup
port in whatever they may decide shall be
done toward this end and whenever they so
decide.
When Louisiana Shareholders can pass such
resolutions as those We have copied, how
ptitul is the course of the copperheads of the
North, who would do their utmost to en-
barrass the Government, lest perchance their
darling system of slavery should be weakened
or destroyed. 1t may be set down as GER
tainty that the last men in the United States
to gice up sldrery ,ciH be the copperheads of
the North
"lIere live whom love OF slavery can excite
To vote a patriot black. a rebel white
Explain their countrys blood bought rights away,
And plead for traitors in the face of day"