The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-08-04
LETTER FROM HON. JAMES ANN OF
LOUISIANA ON THE PKEsIDENTIAL
CAMPAIGN.

LOUISIANA ON THE PIX EsIDENTIAL
CAMPAIGN.
WASHINGTON, July 9th, 1865.
Thomas L. Macon, Esq Chairman tic State Central
Committee, rev Orleans, La:
Dear Sri am in the daily receipt of letters
containing inquiries respecting the political pros
poets here and throughout the North. These let
tiers are too numerous to be fully and severslly
answered, and therefore take this method, sofar
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 presidential cam.
paigns, but never, exceptin 1910, have witnessed
SO many indications of popular upheavsl as
now. The shadow Of the coming event has at
tracted 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 indication of constitutional liberty
everywhere.
In common with almost every citizen of the
South, / had looked to the nomination of that
high minded and gallant soldier aud statesman
Gen. Hancock, not only probable, but on the
ground OF availability, as desirable. He had been
with US in the darkest hours of our adversely, aud
both his magnsnimity and craftsmanship had been
tried in our behalf, and could but feel that his
nomination would heal the wounds Of sectionalism,
restore fraternity among the people, and in case
of bis election secure for the South all she asks
her just and sacred rights under the Constitu-
ton. But II was not in the order of events
ttat he should be nominated. After several
days spent in Intellectual balloting in the con.
veDtioD, the name of Seymour was presented
and with it came q food of light that ilIu-
mined the path of duty. Instantly all minds
aud all hearts went in one direction and
he was declared the unanimous choice of the con-
vention amidst the most unbounded expressions
of enthusiasm. One fact is to be particularly
noted the nomination Of Seymour has not left the
slightest feeling Of soreness or disappointment
anywhere, except with our enemies. Surprised
the people were, but not disappointed; and from
one end of the country to the other the people
have responded to his name with the same IN.
bounded ENTHUSIASM that character 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 that we are now being tried in the last ordeal
that is to test the strength of our republican in
s.itutions the union Of separate and independent
sovereignties, the subservency OF popular passion
10 law and the supremacy of the popular will IN.
der the Constitution. These are the issues and in
terests involved in this presidential campaign,
and rejoice in being able TO assure you that The
hearts OF the people beat right, and that the pop
ular voice will in November anathematize all those
who have sought to degrade our race and people,
to undermine the presidential ONCE, TO muZZle the
Supreme Court and to destroy the Union by
methods of Capitalization and consolidation.
That our enemies feel all this is evidenced in
the fact that they endesvored to hurry through
Congress a measure which was intended by its
trainers to carry the presidential election by
force of arms. II Is further evidenced in their
distracted counsels on the subject of the adjourn
ment of Congress. Members, feeling that an in
dignant and outraged constituency were about to
call them to strict account for disloyaty to the
Union and the peace and harmony OF the nation,
were anxious to return to their districts for self.
defense; yet they feared to quit the capital lest
the ghost of a murdered Constitution should rise
to accuse them before the whole nation. With
Congress adjourned, the mere merton of Presi-
deut Johnson's name filled their hearts with some
indefipsbe dread that the people had arisen, and
with bin would vindicate their sovereignty and
their rights under an injured Constitution.
After your grand demonstration in favor of the
| Democratic nominees, | need not ask what part
Louisiana is going to take in this fight. Evidently,
her standards have been established in the face
| Of her foes, and will not be abandoned In that
| great demonstration to which have alluded see
| a realization of all that personally hoped and
| iabOred TO accomplish for many months past, and
| regard it as q haTbinger of what Louisiana will
| do in the coming election. Intelligence and moral
worth must and will rule our State, but in order
| to do co. we must bring these influences to bear
directly upon the entire population, both white
and colored. IL should therefore 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 commit.
tee, il has been frequently urged that there is no
necessary antsgonism between the true interests
| of the two races. That is an important fact and
must not be overlooked, as it will in the end
prove the starting point for the permanent estab-
| lishment of friendly relations and by which the
colored vote will be given in the interest of those
| friendly relations and Of the common peace and
| prosperity OF the State. | trust that no reas-
enable amount Of effort will be spared to give the
| colored people proper instruction upon all these
points essential to thei- welfare and the general
| good. The most effective method for doing this
| will be the organization of clubs among them for
the purpose OF securing their material interests and
| giving them proper and candid instruction how TO
| use the privileges conferred upon them under the
reconstruction laws Under the lead of itinerant
| partizans and adventurers the confidence that
| ought to exist between them and the white people
has been impaired, but by proper and persevering
eifert the injury can be cured and the rule of
| carpet baggery utterly overthrown.
| These suggestions respecting organization are
| doubtless unnecessary in your committee, but
cannot refrain from urging them upon your atten.
ton, even if they shall be deemed out of asOn,
because of the deep and abiding interest feel 10
the speedy restoration of the rights and liberties
| of the people.
| Our conservative friends at the North have
| commenced the lsbors Of the campaign 10
earnest. Let us initiate their example Let the
| word 90 out into every parish Of the State
work! work. organize! organize Forgetting
all jealousies and past differences, LET the honor
be upon him who shall accomplish most for the
personal liberty of the individual citizen and the
political integrity of the commonwealth. In q
few weeks | shall return home to join you 10
these noble efforts, and promise to DEVOTE my
whole time and talents TO the accomplishment Of
victory.
have the honor to be your obedient servant,
| JAMES MANN.
L