New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-07-19
Correspondence Between Gov. Wells md
Thpnss j. Duruut aud Cthcxs.

Correspondence Between Gov. Wells md
Thsmss j. Duruut aud CshcIs.
To His Ercellency J. MADISON WILLS. Goroaor Of
Louisiana.
! GOVERNOR: The undersigned, the Central
Executive Committee Of the Friends Of Universal Su
frage respectfully invite your attention their orgau
cation and objects.
Tley desire to see the elective franc hise extended Ia
ell the inhabitants of the State WHO are 10y al without
distinction Of origin.
The Rebellion has overthrow the Constitution and
civil Government Of Louisiana and rendered necessary
the creation of new State Governm ent by the direct
act Of the people.
The recent attempt here 70 reJstsblish Government
on a limited and imperfect suffrage is an admitted
failure Yon do not profess TO hold rowcr by the form
OF election which took place IN FeH AIRY, let3 hon
assert and exercise wer independent Of TIE formal
organic law. YOur right 10 do So it Is not our purpose
10 draw In question You enjoy IT, TAat is enough for
what we seek.
Under your discretionary powers you have defined
the qualifications Of those who may be admitted 10 the
registration Of voters in New Orleans but you permit
the observance OF different rule IN the country We
urge you 20 enact uniformity.
We ask that before you shall order any general state
election or for members Of Congress Won shall
complete registration TO be made in every parish of the
State OF all loyal citizens, without distinction o.
race or origin. WHO have resided twelve months IN
ia viii introduce 70 the ballotbo1 the loy,l ec-
mem Of the black Hitherto digiranchised, but who
have acquired by emancipation the title OF clulens, and
who have earned by their devotion 10 the country and
possess by natural justice. the night TO participate In
government.
speSted III Louisiana and Throughout our country IL
viii insure the tranquility OF the STATE II wl establish
the logical conseq OF emaneipao1 II vi" PIT On
end TO the power Of that aIst)cracy which Organized
the Rebellion and still ambti0usy aims al the pow er Of
the Government il vii! nontIaize aud oyerp0wer ne
Re bel elements which cannot be successfully lgded
49,
known career Of wealth and honor.
We respectfully eek reply IN writing IN this com.
munica0n, aud that you will be pleased TO name an
early day on which to give IT,
We remain most respect y your otedient servants.
THOMAS j. DURANT, President.
ANTHONY FERNANDO, Vice President.
y. JEWS Secretary.
jos l.. MONTH";, Assistant Secretary.
W. Il. CRANE, treasurer
Rufus Waples 5. o. Brewer, Anse Edwards. o. j..
Dunn II. Train, Benz +. Flanders, A. CoDmagere, d..
/ c. Woodruff II. G. Narmouib, Charles Ogilve, j. L.
INLAY K AbeIton, H. Stiles. f c. Christophe, Thomas
/ Lynne, sebastian Seller, l. W. Stanley.
EXECUTIVE DEPAE.MEST NEw,0mEANs,
Msss,s THOMAS j. DURAST. WIN II. CRANE, BENZ. I.
FLANDERs, RUFUS WAPLEs and othtrs.
GENTLEMEN: An address signed by you and some
twenty others representing what you cal the Central
Executive Committee Of toe Friends OF Universal Suf
| frage" was handed me week ago Until the present
time my Official duties did not allow the leisure TO
You ask that the elective franchise be extended to
all the inhabitants of the State who are loyal without
distinction OF origin
the Constitution and civil government Of Louisiana,
and rendered necessary the creation 0i new State
government by the direct act Of the people.
g. You allege that the recent attempt to establish
government limited and imperfect suffrage is an
admitted failure aud that do not profess to hold
power bv the form of election which took place in Feb
iuaIv 1904 You assert, furthermore, that 81 exer
else a power independent of the organic law"
4. YOu do not hesitate 10 declare that under my
discretionary powers have defined the qualifications
of those no NAV be admitted 70 the registration as
voters in New-Orleans but that permit Tie obsery-
ance of q different rule in the county," and you urge
me to enact uniformity"
sumptye would say that the elective franchise Is de-
Sncd by law and its exercise must be IN accordance
Herewith. -,
Government Of Louisiana have been Ovetnrown by the
Rebellion and the creation Of new Government Is not
within province, if admitted the necessity.
do profess and do hold. however contrary 10 your
confidently expressed opinion. by the form OF election
which took place in February, le6i and IN no respect
act independent Of the formal organic law, az you
affect " believe . =,
Iis trae the exceptional condition Of our political
affairs compels to military authority 10 supple
ment momehiary, the DEFICIENCIES Of the 'ae, when
my powers as defined by statute arc unequal 10 the
emergency. This resource. however have sparingly
invoked. and only against persons IN once Wnoso
shameless abuse other places OF yenal conduct CON-
PEELED IL.
Neither have as You enormously assert transcribed
the requirements Of law In defining "the qualifications
of those who may be admitted 10 the registration as
voters In ew.0rleans" All persons legally entitled
10 VOTE and none others, register SO too do you
mistake the fact when you cay that 81 permit differ
ent rule in the country In both instances NY conduct
is controlled BY the law. No registry that aware
of has existed in any State Of the Union in rural
districts None certainly has in Louisiana. see
no for any departure from the usual courses
and if did. do not claim any competence 10 direct II
/! 10 be done
! When you ask, therefore. that / shall "before
any general State election order complete rogstra.
tiOn In parish of the state Of all loyal citizens
without distinction Of race origin" for the reasons
already advanced. i decline 70 comply
In coming 10 this conclusion have no other difficulty
than is presented by your confident predictions of tho
evils that must follow noncompliance with your de.
mands. Political prophecyng. however has long
since ceased 70 alarm mankind / recoect political
prophecies made by the chief signers Of
lis address, within the past twenty years.
which have been so falsiled BY events that
the apprehensons their present might otherwise
inspire are bunted or dissipated completely. Both
in the Native American and Know NOTHING eras their
Vaccinations boldly made that the nsturaiza
ton and immigration Of foreigners would as certainly
destroy the nation, ms they uness the negro
ignorant inexperienced. and incapable he Is admit
ted to be- is endowed with the elective franchise Are
these gentlemen less fe.be to-day than at the tune
referred tot Even within the last four years some Of
tho more copspicu9vs members VI the Central Exeou