The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1865-11-01
Farewell Address tt Hie people
Of Louisiana. IS
ExEcurrye QFrcs, I

HfcWeAA AUurcsS W EAle people
Of Louisiana. S
etiJN@ vi ExEcurrvE OFrcs,
Shreveport La, June 2, 1865.
FrrAow .CrlzENs II have thought it
my duty to address you few words in part
ing from you, perhaps forever. My admin.
as Governor of Louisiana closes
this day. The war is over, the contest is
ended. the soldiers are disbanded and gone
to their, homes, and now there is in Louisi-
ana no opposition whatever to the .Constitu-
ton and the laws Of the United States =
Until order shall be established and society
with all its safeguards fully restored, /
would advise that you form yourselves into
companies and squads for the purpose Of pro-
tecting your families from o6trage and in
suit, and your property from spoilation.--
A few bad men eau do mnch mischief and
destroy much property. Within a short
while the United States authorities will no
doubt send you an armed force to any part
of the State where you may require it for
your protection.
nv countrymen, we have for four long
years waged war, which we deemed to BE
just in the sight of high heaven. We have
not been the best, the wisest, nor the braYest
people in the world, but we have suffered
more and borne our suferings with greater
fOrtitude than any people on the face Of
Gods green earth. Now let US show to the
world that as we have fought like men--like
men we can make peace. Let there be no
acts Of violence, no heart burnings. no in.
temperate language, but witt, manly dignity
submit to the inevitable course OF events.
Neither let there be any repinings after lost
property. Let there be no elimination or
re erimination- no murmurs. It will do no
good, but may do much harm. You, who
like myself, have lost all land oh. how many
there are,) must begin life anew. Let US
not talk Of despair, nor whine about our
misfortunes, but with strong arms and stout
hearts adapt ourselves to the circumstances
which surround u.s.
1t now rests with the United States au1
thorities to make you once more, q content
ed, prosperous and happy people. They
can within FIVE years restore Louisiana to its
original wealth and prosperity, and heal the
terrible wounds that have been inflicted upon
her. So great are her reauperative ener-
gies-so rich is our soi!-so great are the
resources Of the State! Our rulers have
it in their power TO dry the mouruers tears
to make glad the hearts Of the poor widow
andthe orphau-to cause the past in great
measure to be forgotten, and to make your
devastated lands to blossom as the rose"
IF my voice could be heard and heeded at
Washington, / would say g spare this dis.
tfacted land--oh3 spare this afflicted people
In the name Of bleeding humanity they have
suffered enough r But my countrymen this
cannot be, am one of the prescribed--I
must go into exile have stood by you,
fought for you and staid with you up to the
very last moment, aud now leave you with a
heavy heart. The hiyl, trust with which
you have honorpd ME is this day returned.
/ leave the Office Of Governor with clean
hands, and with the conscious pride Of hav,
ing done my duty. An the officersnf State
andal employees in its various departments
have rendered their fnal accounts and made
full and complete settlements i thank
them for their uniform kindness to me, and
their patriotic devotion to the several du-
ties assigned them. These accounts are in
the hands Of Col John NJ. Sondldge. / in
yite the closest scrutiny not only to these
papers, but to all my acts as Governor Of
Louisiana. My State Stores aud Dispense
ries and Manufactures have all been con-
Quoted in the most successful manner. None
can tell the vast amount Of good they have
done not only to you, but to the people Of
Texas, Arkansas and Missouri.
Fellow citizens, in the darkest hour of my
life. | do not come before you as an old man
broken down by the storms of state, nor do
/ come to plead for mercy, at the hands of
those whom I have fought for four long
years. No, no. / come in the pride and
vigor Of manhood, unconquered. unsubdued.
| have nothing to regret. | look back with
mourofnl pleasure at my public career. now
about to close. As citizen, as a soldier,
as statesman, / have cone my duty. The
soldiers family, the widow and the orphan,
the sick and the wounded, the poor and
needy have all had my especial care, while
the wants Of the soldier and the citizen have
not been forgotten. 4 ] have protected the
people from the entertainments of military
power and have never permitted bale Of
cotton in the. State to be seized or i'm.
pressed. Is is partly in remembrance Of
these acts, that you have always given me
your entire confidence. But few in author
ity have ever had so many evidences of af..
lection and regard as you have SO often.
shown to me.
Refugees, return to your homes. Repair,
improve and plant. Go 10 work with q
hearty good will, and let your actions show
that yon are able and willing to adapt your
selves to the new order Of things. We.
want no Venice here, where the denizens Of
an unhappy State shall ever mediate with
moody brow, and plot the overthrow of the
government, and where all shall be dark and
dreary-co|d and suspicious. But rather
let confidence be restored. IF required, let
each and every one go forward cheerfulIy
and take the oath Of allegiance to that
country in which they expect in future to
live and there pursue their respective ayo-
cations with redoubled energy as good, true
and substantial citizens. sal-saB1
Igo into exile not as did the ancient Ro-
man, TO lead back foreign armies againet
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