The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-10
a Loyal Voice from Louisiana,
SPEECH OF HON. A. p. DOSTEE,
Delivered Before the Union Association
of New Orleans, january "a, 1885.

Delivered Before the Union AssOcIRtAOn
of New Orleans, january "a, 1855.
FELLOW. CITIZENS: The friends of the Union
and Liberty, in reviewing the events that have
coDyulsed our republic Tor the past tonr years,
rejoice in the glorious fact that the most glgan-
tic rebellion upon record has been crushed-that
the 'Conie derate States OF America" are but an
idea of the past. To-day the flag OF the United
STATES waves over this vast coun ry, proclaimlng
the blessines of freedom and humanity to every
man OF " ha' 'soever race or color. Emblazoned
upon ITS ample folds ts the motto-No North, no
South, no East, no West-the United states OF
America one and indivisIble. The leading
TRAITORS OF the nation--the Davlses and BreCkin-
ridges-with many OF lesser stamp, nov Ian
guish IN prisions, awaiting trial and coudemna-
ton or are iugitlves from the Justice OF people
they have clothed in the habiiments of mourn
ing, and who have doomed them TO tndmy, as
the murderers of their fathers, sons, and
brothers. To-day, iellow-citlzens, the nation is
sovereign. The Constitution, Laws, and Gov
erDment command treason to be silent that
Justice and Liberty may reconstruct the repub.
lie upon a basis that shall forever exclude
slavery, and establish universal Justice.
The friends of emancipation and OF equal
rights look triumphantly upon the overthrow oil
that infamous system, which was enveloping
with its anaconda folds, our republican struc-
ture, and undermining by Its subtle poison the
noblest OF governments, that 1t might Duilu
upon its ruins oligarChIcal despotsm. we
are now nation OF freemen. We claim tnat
the people are the legitimate source OF power
They command the enemies OF liberty TO cease
their internal work.
The Rebellion. which has baptized our coun.
try in blood, and caused hundreds OF thousands
TO seal with thei1 lives their devotion to liberty,
has resulted in the Liberation OF iour millions oil
human beings. II was war OF prlnClples-ot
principles that when once fairly inaugurated
must result in q full development OF the repub.
lican elements which lie at the foundation OF
our Government.
The progressive spirit of the age sternly de.
manded that the despotism which the arsto.
cracy OF the South arrogated over the poor man,
should cease, that the oppressed should have
tull privilege to enjoy the nestimable blessings
OF "lIie, liberty, and the pursuit OF happiness"
But that the lingering aristocrats of the land
seek 10 withhold these rom the masses, we
have ample evidence What mean these late
Convulsive movements of the enemies of demo-
cratic repu5l can liberty throughout the South?
Why have they combined with the Copperheads
of the North to overthrow the great work the
friends of republican institutions have accom-
plished in the last four years?
DO we not discover IN their attempts the
Vaccinations of "A relentless, hydra.headed
aTstocracY repudiating still the immortal truths
"that all men are equally free AMI indepen-
dcnt;' that government is instituted Tor the
benefit, protection. and security of the people;
that no Tree Government or the blessings Of
liberty, can be preserved TO any people but by
a firm adherence to Justice, moderation, and
virtue?"
Why do the Legislatures of the rebellious
fact that slavery has ceased to exist in our coun
try? Alas are not the men who compose these
bodies, and who have met 70 make laws, the
men who have for the last four yea 8 been i'm.
brumg their guilty hands in the blood of our
heroes? Have not they murdered these noble
men that slavery might become the corner
stone OF their proposed despohsm? Can We
trust these men to Give to lreemen their rights?
Patriots and statesmen, distinguished for their
love OF the Union, and all who truly love their
courtrv: eXclaim against the outrage Of having
such rulers.
We are told by the Democratic party that this
is President Johusou's policy. | do not believe
that President johnson intends to place traitors
in power. [ have had the honor OF several ln-
tervews with him, and was impressed by the
conviction that he Is true patriot, an honest
man. and able statesman. | Go not believe 1t
will ever be Andrew JohnsoD's policy TO place
political power in the hands of men who nave
labored to destroy the most oenehcent OF Gov
ernments. His past acts and words have ever
been in direct antagonism to this suicidal
policy. AT Nashville, as Governor of Tennessee,
he says:-"I, Andrew Johnson, hereby proclaim
hberty-lu broad, unconditional hberty-tQ
every man in Tennessee. Rebellion shal, no
more pollute our State. Loyal mon, whether
black or white, shall govern the State" Again,
as President OF the United States he says: SIN
adjusting and putting the Government on its
legs again, ! think the progress of the work
must be put into the hands of It's friends. If a
State is to be nursed until 1t gets strength, it
must be nuTsed by its friends, not smothered by
its enemies
The great problem Of reconstruction before
the American people is no " being solved by a
Republican Congress, with which the President
is in accord. There is no worthy basis for the
Government OF States but that basis which CON
tains the elements of Justice and of equal rights.
The cornerstone of all republican governments
must be the seltevident truths that 'al mon
are created equal that they are endowed by
their Creator with inalenable rights; that
among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit OF
happiness" Shall the eleven rebellious States
which have declared these immortal declarations
to be contrary to their policy OF government, be
allowed to send their representatives to Con
gress until they abandon their political heresieS
as they have the field? Does not the dignity o
the nation demand this? Does not freedom
itself demand that none shall be sent to oul
National Legislature TO represent the vital in
terests of these States but those who have beer
steadfast, devoted upholders OF the Union, whel
the life OF the nation was assaIed? II this policl
is not adopted and enforced we shall have Treason
again in our Congressional halls, and new Sc
OF Dayises, Brecklnridges, and Slldels will seel
20 seize the reins OF government and rene'
their WaI upon loyal men and upo1 the Union.
Heaven grant our Republic may never aga
be summoned to meet rebellion, begun by SenG
tors legislators, and GovernOrs-that libert.
and civilization shall be dIaped in mourning b
traitors; men who, having taken solemn oat
TO maintain the Government, betray It, an
thrust their swords OF treason into the yer
yitals of the nation. In the name OF God, lC
our Congressional aud our Legislative hats
purified from the taint of treason We cannC
trust men to make laws for our State and fc
the nation, who, by their traitorous acts, nav
disfranChised themselVes-haYe forfeited the
rieht TO vote or TO hold Office under the Nationi
or State Govern nents. Let then remain dl
franchlspd until the evidence OF theirrepentanC
is perfect. II this policy is not pursued, tn
peace and unity OF the country VIII be CONSTANT