New Orleans Republican., 1868-08-25
THE CAMPAIGN IN THE COUNTRY.
Speech by Hon. Michael Hahn.
The People Of LafOurche Aroused.
ENTHUSIASTIC REPUBLICAN MASS MEETING

On Saturday last the Democrats of La
fourche had mass meeting and barbecue
at Guion's plantation, adjoining the town of
Thibodeaux. They had sent a commit
tee to New Orleans to procure ora.
tors, fireworks, ETC.; but the same train
which left Algiers on Saturday morning and
| carried their committee, fire works, and or.
ators, also carried Ex-Governor Hahn and a
party of Republicans, who were also going
to Lafourche to advocate the rights of the
people. The trip to Lafourche was quite
pleasant, and our reporter could not avoid
quiet smile at seeing the big guns of the
Democratic party, Messrs. Steedman, Sam
bola, Eustis, Randolph, and others, in
friendly and social conversation with the
orator of the Radicals, Governor Hahn.
On the way up the road, Governor Hahn
proposed that the two meetings, one Repub
! lican and the other Democratic, which were
to be held in Latourche, should be united,
and that free and joint discussion should
take place. It was soon ascertained how
ever, that the two meetings for which all
arrangements had been made, were to be
held about fourteen miles apart, aud hence
the proposal for joint discussion could not
have been carried out, even if The Demo-
Gratis had been willing.
The Republican meeting was held in an
orange grove in front of the residence of
Mr.. Coulon, about two miles above Race
| land, on the Bayou Lafourche. While the
people of the immediate neighborhood
were waiting for the boat carrying the dele,
cation of seven hundred from Thibodaux,
Mr.. Thomas Hutchins (formerly of the New
Orleans REPUBLICAN, and Mr.. Thomas
Divine, treated the crowd to Mrs. Carter's
great song of "Hurrah hurrah for Grant
and Colfax," in the chorus of which, to the
tune of John Brown, the thousands there
assembled enthusiastically Joined. When
the Thi1odaux boat and the cavalry delega'
ton from Thibodaux had arrived, and some
food and drinkables had been given to the
elmer man" the meeting was organized by
the selection of the following officers:
President, George Buttrick; yice-Presi-
dents, Alfred Brooks, Henry Grimes, and
Nelson Taylor; Secretary, Thomas Divine.
Mr.. Brooks was the first speaker. His
manner was impressive and earnest. His
sentiments were just and sensible, and he
told the colored people exactly what their
race might expect if Seymour was elected
President. He was frequently applauded
throughout his speech.
Rev. Henry Grimes was the next speaker.
Mr.. Grimes made one of the most excellent
practical and telling speeches it has been
, our good fortune to hear for many day.
His explanation of the present political stu.
alton, the differences between the two par
ties, the right course for the colored people
to pursue, and his denunciation of the plant
} ers who seek to interfere with the political
J sentiments of their laborers, were forcibly
and eloquently put, and met the entire ap-
/ proval of his audience.
s Mr. Grimes's speech had powerful effect.
4, We think his services should not be confined
s to the parish of Lafourche. He should ad
= dress the colored people In all the surround
q ing parishes. Wherever he speaks he carries
n conviction to the minds of his hearers, and
o is sure to do good service for the Republican
party.
The President of the meeting next intro
duced Governor Hahn, who spoke for more
: than an hour and made one of his hap.
u piest efforts. He spoke of the rumors cir
!, culating that many colored persons in
u Lafourche had ''sold out" to the Democrats
}. the pleasure he experienced in seeing with
n his own eyes the falsity of the rumors. He
y recounted the history of the Republican
e party for the last nine years; its many
u struggles for popular rights; its constant
d triumphs over the bigotry, ignorance, and
: oppression of the Democratic party. He
u reviewed the men and platforms of the two
" recent conventions, one held in Illinois
Is which nominated Grant, and the other held
e in New York, which nominated Seymour.
l. His illusions to the splendid military vic
= tories of General Grant, whose sword hat
is done so much to secure equal rights to all
: men, were rapturously applauded; while hi:
o account of the New York riots, were Sey
d mour figured, and the New Orleans rio
n where Dostie, and other brave Republican!
y were butchered by Democrats, drew forth
o the groans and sighs of the audience.
Q His comparison of Colfax, the gifted ant
a eloquent Representative in Congress, alway
q true to the cause of the oppressed, witt
: Blair, the Missouri Conservative, drew fort
8 tremendous applause. He knew concerDin
0 whom he was speaking; he had formed tn
acquaintance of Grant at vicksburg in july
1863, and he had sat in the same Congref
. with Schuyler Colfax. He could assure hi
y audience that both men were eminentl
e worthy of their suffrages, and of being tn
:. standard-bearers Of the Republican party
y , From frequent in terviews and friendly intei
:, course with both men during the past fv
: years, he could honestly say they were mel
under whose lead every Republican in tn
= country should be proud TO fight. The wa
= for equal rights is nearly ended; the election
. of Grant and Colfax will put an end to tn
Democratic fanaticism of the present day
y and establish on an everlasting foundation
the rights ofall the people. Governor Hahn
le description of the auction block, wher
d | a mother was sold to one man and takel
Of off to one parish, and her child was sold
another person and ruthlessly taken of to an