The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1867-04-13
- The General Assembly of

" l
to the people Of the State upon
the affairs of the nation, prepared
by a joint special committee on
federal relations, appointed for
that purpose, to-wit:
The recent action of Congress
in the passage of the measures
commonly known as the military
reconstruction billo and the ''sup-
Elemental BILL" precipitates upon
the people the consideration of
most momentous questions, affect
ing not merely their present and
future welfare, but involving the
very political existence of the
| State.
1t seems evident that active
steps will be at once taken for the
reorganization of our State gov
eminent in accordance with the
principles Of those measures, and
that general elections will be
speedily held for that purpose.
In this emergency it becomes
absolutely necessary for the people
to determine forthwith what line
of conduct is most proper for
them to pursue.
Your representatives in the gen.
eral assembly have not failed to
give to this question the most anx-
ious snd earnest Liberation.
The subject matter is placed
beyond the pale of our legislative
action, by a power over which we
have no control, but we fell it our
duty to give our constituents the
results 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 con-
stitutionality of these COMPRESSION
al measures, they are imposed
upon us by an authority which we
have clearly no power to resist,
and we, therefore, solemnly be-
lieye it becomes our duty, not
only to abstain from fruitless and
, factious opposition, but to exert
| all our power and infence so as 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, un-
der 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 or
conflicts of any kind.
Avoid discussions among your
r selves.
Bring forward as candidates,
citizens In whose wisdom, discre-
1 ton and courage you can place
e implicit confidence, and whose
qualifications shall conform, as
far as practicable, to the require
ments of Congress. Suppress, as
l far as possible, the consideration
of all questions which may lead
to division of opinion among you.
Look to the characters of the
e men whom you elect.
8 Do not seek to bind them in adj
! vance by any particular course OF
1 policy, the wisdom and propriety
Of which must at last be deter
mined by the '4ogic of events
n but leave them free and unframed
e ed to act as their judments NAV
:. dictate, for the interest and honor
~ of the State.
n Let moderation and temperance
guide you in counsel and conduct
= Restrain and control the ebulli
: lions of inconsiderate, rash and
, turbulent men, who may precipi
!, tate collisions from which nothing
h but injury to the State and people
- can possibly result.
. Use all fair and legitimate
. means within your power so tt
y y, influence and direct the suffrage
j as to elect trustworthy men t.
. Office, and thereby to prevent tn,
d power of the State from falling
If into unworthy hands; but at thu
same time secure that your choic,
;, shall be respected, and that tn,
Il men so chosen shall be clothed
G with authority which none cal
v question.
In following out the course O
Z action here indicated you will b,
ID called on to exercise a spirit O
# extreme tolerance and forbear
. ance; but we believe it to be tn,
W only course consistent with on
p present condition and the salty O
s. the State and you will not hesi
~ tate at any sacrifice necessary t,
10 +ho+ an1