The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1867-04-20

ton OF slavery, have been so i'm
pressed by Southern civilization
that their strong attachments for
the South as the place of their
birth and their future homes can
be used for their advantage and
ours, in the protection of the lib
critics Of this section and the Sc
curity OF our lives and property.
They will be true to us if we
are just and honest with them.
Let us then rise superior to the
prejudicGs of our lives and the
antipathieS of race, and go to
work among these people, elevate
them intouSefuIc citizens, contribute
ing by their labor to the wealth of
the country, assisting by their
brawny arms in maintaining it's
rights, and helping lis by the bal
lot to defeat the Radical party
which unjustly taxes them and us
| tOput money in its own pocket.
The more intelligent Of them can
be made to understand how a tax
on cotton which they produce,
and protective tariff on articles
which they consume, is money
taken from them and givento New
England. If we do not intend to
eXpatriate ourselves, we must act,
and act at once with these people,
for | consider the question is now
| practically presented to us Wheth-
er we, or a Yankee faction backed
by deluded negroes, shall be the
dominant race in the South. If
we fail to act under these iniQuit-
Gus bills, our domination as race
ceases. If we act promptly, wise
| ~, and justly, We can defy the
radical intriguerS among us, and
perhaps again become a great and
prosperous people.
In justice to myself [ should say
that while in the Legislature I
opposed any action upon the part
Of that honorable body looking to
an approval Of the military bill.
| did it because | wished the Rad
zeal party to have all the Odium
OF its execution, and to gain from
us no authoritative sanction of it's
proceedings. It's bills are uncon-
stitutional and tyrannical, and it
has invoked the bayOnet and
sword to see them duly executed.
} We have neither the money, nor
the munitions OF war, nor supplies
to resist. Obedience is necessi-
, ty. Let us be wise and make the
most of it. Our honor is unsullied
until we voluntarily do some act
to tarnish it. There is nothing in
our taking action as [ advise I'M
l der these bills, to diminish the
, luStre OF the glory shed upon our
J. section by the beloved heroes who
l died battling for the right. |
thought there would be if the
Legislature acted.
p L do not consider myself called
upon to suggest the course Of dele,
gates that may be elected to the
: convention. l advise that we
= elect the best men among us quail.
fed under the military bill, and
, trust to them to be guided by the
f light ofeventS. My prophetic Wis.
. ion is bounded by the present, and
. | therefore do not feel competent
to advise, although | have decided
convictions about what would do
4 Having thus disposed of nv
;, opinions on the political aspect OF
D the day, | hope you will allow me
i TO say a word on another subject
e OF equally vital interest. Cotton
: has ceased to be King-numberS
/ are said to wear the crown now
n To this announcement [ do moi
4 consent. Intelligence, enterprise
e industy, frugality, virtue and pie
t ty, will rule as long as our blessed
n Lord permits this earth to remain
: Let us cultivate these qualitie!
? and virtues. Let, us look first tC
n Him from whom all blessings
=? come, and trusting in His good
r ness and mercy, go to work likC
h men to restore the material pros
t perity Of the country. Discard al
r ideas Of confiscation, associate
I your idle capital in joint stocl
:. companies for manufacturing Dur
t poses. Plant orchards, vineyards
d gardens; make your homes com
5 Portable and happy; raise fine cat
It tie, horses, sheep and swine; builC
s good tlTnpikes, and complete rail
= roads educate your children t,
/ practical pursuits; believe that al
e labor Of the head or hands is al
t. act Of duty to man, Of worship t
d God. If we will do these thing
V we shall be a happy people, who's
b God is the Lord, and in his owl
o. | GOOD time He will moI-o o,,, lon,