The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-02-13
HON. D. w. VOORHEES, IN NEW
ORLEANS,
SPEECH At MECHANICS INSTITUTE.

last evening aouress the people OF Nsw Or
leans upon the prominent questions of the
day, the Hall of the House CT Representa-
tiges in Mechanics Institute vas crowded
10 oyerfowing by 40 audience Of high in.
4slligsnce, among whom were many ladies
and large number of the members Of the
State legislature and City Council. The
distinguished speaker was introduced by
Hon. Duncan S. Cage, speaker of the
House, and was welcomed by enthusiastic
applause in advancing to the front Of the
platform. We subjoin synopsis Of his
eloquent remarks:
ladies and Gentlemen and Fellow Citizens:
I feel somewhat embarrassed in being
presented to you tonight for the first time
10 New Orleans. ! came hither upon bus
mess of an entirely private nature, but
have felt obliged to consent to the univer-
cal request of my many friends to address
the people Of New Orleans. -
AT the present time public feeling is fe:
yerish. People now look forward to COM
ing events the same as in the ancient days
Of Philip of Macedon, when they were wont
to ask what news% do not pretend
to understand the future any more clearly
than any one in this audience, but it is
certainly safe for US to look forward and
surmise as to what is before us. Tonight
We stand in a strange attitude. For the
first time we meet under the same flag
bound together by the will of Providence.
! hope aud trust that we meet as brothers.
The skies look dark and there are many
difficulties to be overcome. The govern
ment at this time presents strange spec
tac!e. Founded as a republican which
should be governed by majority the
country is yet to-day governed by mi.
nority. Congress represents one section
but it does not represent the American
people. 1t becomes the conservative ele-
ment and the mass of the Southern men to
b gay whether the South shall be admitted to
Congress or not-whether they are or are
not citizens. During the war, Louisiana
was admitted to representation as State.
Upon sober second thought, think it will
be found that you have not lost your citi-
zenship. The conservative portion Of The
North polled over two millions of votes at
the last election. A mighty army of men
and in this connection arises the thought:
On what issue do we unite tonight?
coming from where the Northern waters oil
the Mississippi rise, with you down here
where its waters mingle with the gulf. II
is this-these men declare at the ballot-boz
that Louisiana was arrayed in the imperial
robes OF State, and not in the garments
ola territory that as State, she is on an
equality with every other from the sunrise
Of the Atlantic to the sunset ofthe Pacific
Let US see whether this issue is in Itself
right or wrong. If it will not stand the test
OF time ; If it will not stand the test of i'm
mutable justice and right, let us abandon
1T at once. Ii, On the other hand, it is
what there is that is left us Of the Consti-
tuition bequeathed to us by our fathers
then, say to the people of the South lei
as,abide by it at all hazards, through rain
and storm, and whatever, else may oppose
The question then is-have States been
destroyed Can States destroy themselves
] know that these States adhere to The
federal government care not for what
they have done in the past. Let all that
go-and let US start from this standpoint
that at the present time they acknowledge
their allegiance to the federal government.
| say, then, that these States have existed
rs States allthe time. Like the lost Plead
although lost from sight for a time, they yet
exist, and come. back to us in time in al
their splendor. If they have not done SO
no one of US tonight can tell of what ou
government cor ssts; if not, no one can tel
Sthe.sea of despotism in which we shall al
be swallowed up.
] contend that the majority of the people
are, with ME, imbued with hope in tht
President and in the Constitution. / come
to you from a region OF snow and ice as
compared with this, yet from apeople warn
hearted and generous, with assurances thai
they wish no degraded States, no States
shorn Of their seals of honor. The tret
blasted by lightning forever bears its dead
ened limbs as marks Gifts weak ess, but my
people wish you to bear TO such lightning
brands-but to receive you as States upoI
au equal footing-as States who shall be to
them as equal sisters. From dispair nc
flower can bloom, but from hope springs
prosperity. Let us see with what Provi
dence has favored US. A majority Of the
popular vote, the support and assistance Of
the President, and above all, that of the
Supreme Court ofthe United States. With
these, why should We despair ? You need
not fear the territorial scheme. If success
fol elsewhere, it cannot be sanctioned by
the Supreme Court. VIII the President
enforce it? Not SO. If know Andrew
Johnson, he win endeayor to protect you.
But, my fellow-citizens, there are in this
connection other weishty questions press
Ing themselves upon US. Itis,declared that
you are not States, and yet they come to
vow with an amendmentto the constitution,
asking you to ratify and accept it. What
amockery is this. For one purpose you
are State for another purpose you are q
territory. How are you to regard this
constitutional amendment !! You have
been officially Informed that even although
you accept Of it, you will not therefore be
insured the privileges of a State. You
should say TO Congress. We'will hear all
your terms first" Concession on this point
10 the destruction of all State Government.
speak tonight not merely for Louisi
ana, or for oil the Southern States,
but for my own State of indiana, for
every State from New York to Oregon
1.-THE federal government can tell State
what it must DO, then you loso the rcpubli.
can government given to us By our fathers
The position which advocate is the posi-.
ton which the conservative men of tho
North wish you TO occupy, and that is to
maintain unimpaired your State govern
rnsnts. If everything is to be swept away,
and you have finally to bow your necls to
the yoke, let it be somebody else's work
than your own Ali though a Northera
man myself, yet in looking over the bloody
days which baYo lately swept over this
evn, l can see i'll you high-minded,
sehiyalrous people-and as YOU have been
brave in war, sce you can also obey the
avs in times of peace. ,s7st faa5
When, therefore, they come to ask you to