The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-08-12
Letter from Hon. James Mann Of
Louisiana on the Presidential
Campaign.

Louisiana on the Presidential
Campaign.
WASHINGTON, July 9th. 1863.
Thomas L. Macon, Esq. Chairman Demo-
cratic State Central Com. N. o. La:
Dear Sir-I nm in the daily receipt Of
letters containing inquiries respecting the
political prospects here and throughout
the North. These letters are too numer-
Gus to be fully and severally answered, and
/ therefore take this method, SO far as the
members of your committee are concerned.
to answer all in one Communication.
My personal experience in matters Of this
kind reaches back through several presi-
dental campaigns, but never, except in
1910, have witnessed so many indications
of popular upheaval as now. The shad-
ow Of the coming event has attracted all
eyes, and the substance to be realized in
November will be the triumphant election
of Seymour and Blair, the restoration of
our beloved Union, and the vindication of
constitutional liberty everywhere.
In common with almost every citizen Of
the South, Ihad looked to the nomination
of that high-minded and gallant soldier and
statesman, Gen. Hancock. as not only
probable, but on the ground Of available
ty, as desirable. He had been with us in
the darkest hours of our adversely, and
both his magnanimity and craftsmanship
had been tried in our behalf, and / could
but feel that his nomination would heal
the wounds Of sectionalism, restore frater.
nifty among the people, and in case Of his
election secure for the South all she asks.
her just and sacred rights under the Con.
stitution. But it was not in the order of
events that he should be nominated. AT.
ter several days spent 10 Intellectual ballot
ing in the convention, the name of Sew
mOur was presented, and with it came a
food of light that illumined the path OF
duty. Instantly all minds and all hearts
went in one direction, and he was declared
the unanimous choice Of the convention
amidst the most unbounded expressions Of
enthusiasm. One fact is to be particularly
noted, the nomination of Seymour has not
left theslightest feeling of soreness or dis.
appointments anywhere, except with our
enemies. Surprised the people were, but
not disappointed and from the end of the
country to the other the people have re.
sponded to his name with the same I'M.
bounded enthusiasm that characterized
your own ratification meeting at lafayette
Square on the 18th instant. l scarcely
need tell you that our friends here and
throughout the North are full of confidence
and hope. Indeed the nation seems to feel
t,iat we are now being tried in the last or.
deal that is to test the strength of our re-
publican institutions, the union of separate
and independent sovereignties, the sub.
serviency Unpopular passion to law and the
supremacy of the popular will under the
Constitution. These are the issues and
interests involved in this presidential cam
paign, and / rejoice in being able to assure
you that the hearts of the people beat
right, and that the popular voice will in
November ami thematize all those who
have sought to degrade our race and peo-
pie, to undermine the presidential Office, to
muzzle the Supreme Court and to destroy
the Union by methods Decentralization and
consolidation. ~
That our enemies feel all this is eyidenc-
ed to hurry through Congress . measure
which was int nded by its trainers TO carry
the presidential election by force of arms.
# is further evidenced in their distracted
counsels on the subject Of the adjournment
Of Congress. Members, feeling that an in
dignant and outraged constituency were
about to call them to strict account for
disloyalty to the Union and the peace and
harmony of the nation, were anxious to 10
turn to their districts for selfdefense yet
they feared to quit the capital lest thA
ghost Of murdered Constitution should
rise to accuse them before the whole M.
ton. With Congress adjourned, the mere
mention Of President Johnson's name ILL
ed hearts with some inde6nable dread that
the people had arisen, and with him would
vindicafe their sovereignty and their rights
under an injure ed Constitution.
After your grand demonstration in favor
OF the Democratic nominees, / need not
ask what part Louisiana is going to taksin
this fight. Evidently, her standards have
been established in the face of her foes. and
will not be abandoned. In that great de-
m0nstration tp which have alluded zee
realization Of all that 1 personally hoped
and labored to accomplish for many month";
past, and regard it as q harbinger of what
Louisiana will do in the coming election.
intelligence and moral worth must and viii
rule our State, but IN order to do 90, ws
must bring these influences to bear directly
/ upon the entire population, both white and
colored. 1t should thefore be the effort Of
your committee to secure the organization
OF clubs both white and colored, wherever
feasible. In papers that have emanated
from your committee, it has been frequent
~ urged that there is no necessary antagos
nism between the trne interests Of the two
races. That 10 an important fact, and must
not be overlooked, as it will in the end
prove the stating point fol. the permanent
establishment of friendly relations, and By
which the colored vote viii be given in the
interest OF those friendly relations snd Of
the common peace and prosperity Of the
Slate. trust that no reasonable amount
OF effort will be spared TO give the colored
people proper instructions upon Ill these
points as essential to their welfare and the
general good The most effective method
for doing this viii be the organisation Of
clubs among them for the purpose of secur-
ing their material interests, and giving
them proper and candid instruction how to
use the privileges conferred upon them an
der the reconstruction laws. Under the
lead Of itinefant partizans and Adventures
the confidence that ought to exist between
them and the white people has been i'm
paired, but BY proper aud preserving effort
4 tho sv,ss,rr <,os~ ka 81 L.. - -