The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1865-07-12


sexes filled the spacious hall. which
was profusely decorated with ban.
|ners, flags flowers and eyergreens.
The colored folks seemed TO be by far
the most numerous.
( The promoters Of the celebration
having taken their places on the
platform, erected for the occasion,
there was a burst Of enthusiastic
cheering as General Banks, ii citi-
|zen's dress, appeared among them.
The assemblage was then called to
order by Judge Yarmouth.
The officers having taken their
places. the President made a brief
opening address, congratulating the
assemblage that they met once again
under the old flag tocelebrate the
anniversary Of American Indepen.
|dence, and that it was now recog-
missed that all men were free. In
conclusion he called on the Rev. Dir.
Newman, who opened the proceed
ings with an eloquent prayer.
The Declaration of Independence,
WashingtoD's Farewell Address, and
the Emancipation Proclamation were
then read, and Gen. Banks, who was
enthusiastically cheered, came for
ward to delivered an GRAFTON. He
spoke atsuch length that we cannot
possibly do more than very briefly
note the main points on which he
dWelt.
Opening, after a few preliminary
remarks, with a review Of the past
fthe United States, he claimed that
the founders Of the Government, as
they could, made all men free and
equal, and that how the American peo-
pie only carry out the principles and
and accomplish the purposes Of the
founders Of the Government, in de.
claring all men free and equal. The
men who fell at Lexington and Con-
land, and those who fell in the war
just closed he asserted, alike fell in.
the cause ofsuniversal freedom
Reviewing what the American PEG
pie had accomplish during their exis.
tence as a power among the nations.
he said they had done more in less
than a century than all the govern
ments Of the ancients had done in all
the centuries.
Hethen took ground against gran
ting political rights to the defended
ard dwelt atgreat length on
the subject, declaring that he was
opposed TO giving them the political
rights they formerly enjoyed and
that, in his opinion, if that were done
it would be the greatest calamity to
the country, and would slead to an
other contest such as that we have
justpassed through. He contenled
that they must be denied the right
toassume the political power they
have abdicatcd
Then, speaking Of the public debt.
andsthe case with which, it could be
paid, he said the Valley Of the Miss.
issippi could pay it alone in twenty
years.
European Interference on this con-
tinent was the next. subject tonched
on, and in very emphatic terms he
declared that a fuothold gained on
the continent by taking advantage
of our domestic troubles would not
be respected hy this people, and
that, if necessary, the strange if not
hostile flag on our borders, would be
driven away.
The remainder of the speech was
devote,lto advocacy Of the claim Of
the freedmen to be admitted to poll
cal rights, and the sooner the better
= and toan appeal to theassemblage
to give President johnson a firm and
united support, he being, to the
speakers knowledge, worthy Of it.
During the delivery Of his speech
and at its conclusion, Ge Banks
was loudly cheered.
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3 DGT General Lee has been offered