The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-04-03
Address to the People Of Louisiana

Address to the People Of Louisiana
The following address, presented =
Mr.. Foute on the part of the Joint con
mittee on Federal Relations, has hee,
adopted by the Legislature:
| The recent action of Congress inn
passage Of the measures eommonI
known as the military reconstrnct;a.s
bill" and the "supplemental bill > nra
cipitates upon the people the considers
ton OF most mOmentous questions ,f
tecting not merely their present o ~,
future welfare, but involving the re, u
political existence OF the State.
It seems evident that active stonu
will be at once taken for the reorpan;'
zation Of our State Government. IN a.
cordance with the principles Of tloso
measures, and that general elect ns
will be speedily held for that purnosa
In this emergency it becomes abso.
lutely necessary for the people to d.
termine forthwith what line of con,]uct
is most proper for them to pursue.
Your representatives in the General
Assembly have not failed to give to tha
question the most anxious and earnest
deliberation.
The subject matter is placed beyond
the.pale Of our Legislative action bv )
power over which we have no control.
but we feel it our duty to give our con-
stituents the benefit Of our sober and
serious reflection, and to advise them
as to the course we think they should
adopt under the circumstances.
Whatever may be our opinions of the
justice, magnanimity or constitutional
ity OF these Congressional measures.
they are imposed upon us by an author.
ity which we have clearly no power to
resist. and therefore we solemnly be-
lieye it becomes our duty not only to
abstain from fruitless and factious on
position, but to exert all our power and.
influence so to direct events as that the
least harm may come to the State from
their execution.
We, therefore, exhort the people to
organize thoroughly, and take an active
part in all elections, under whatever
authority they may be held. Avoid all
semblance Of opposition to the free and
fair suffrage OF every man having the
right to vote under the authority Of
Congress.
Let there be no collisions OF conflicts
of any kind.
Avoid discussions among yourselves.
Bring forward as candidates, citizens
in whose wisdom, discretion and cour-
age you can place implicit confidence,
and whose qualifications shall conform,
as far as practicable, to the require-
nents OF Congress. Suppress, as far as
possible, the consideration of all ques-
tons which may lead to division Of
opinion among you.
Look to the characters of the men
whom you elect.
Do not seek to bind them in advance
by any particular course of policy, the .
wisdom and propriety Of which must
at last be determined by the "logic Of
events" but leave them free and un-
to act as their judgments
may dictate, for the interest aud honor
of the State.
Let moderation and Temperance
guide you in counsel and conduct. Re
strain and control the ebullitions Of in
considerate, rash and turbulent men,
who may precipitate collisions from
which nothing but injury to the State
and people can possibly result.
Use all fair and legitimate means
within your power so to influence and
direct the suffrage as to elect trnstwor-
thy men to Office, and thereby to pre-
vent the power of the State from falling
into unworthy hands; but at the same
time be sure that your choice shall be
and that the men SO chosen
shall be clothed with authority which
none can question.
In following out the course of action
here indicated you win be called OH to
exercise spirit of extreme tolerance
md forbearance; but we believe tito
be the only course consistent with our
present condition and the safety Of the
State, and you will not hesitate at any
sacrifice necessary to that end.
LII conclusion, we would say that we
place an abiding confidence in the peo-
Die, and believe that by the exercise Of
wisdom, prudence and patriotism they
will SO conduct the State through the
.rdeal as to command the respect Of
friends and foes.
@ NJ. A. FOUTE,
Chairman Senate Committee.
L. Nj. MUTT,
Chairman Honsn Cnmmiitan