The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-01-29

ttntary action Of its people, consistently
with the Constitution of the United States.
Whenever there is branch of the limita-
ton imposed by the Constitution of the
United States, everything thereafter too
becomes Illegal and void. The remedy,
therefore, is remission back to the inter
lrupted legal status. Now the late war has
decided, as q question of fact, that seces-
sion broke the thread of constitutional re-
lation between the seeding States and the
United States, and that the State governs
ments founded on secession were Illegal
and yoid and fell with the Confederate
cause. These fabrics having thus fallen.
the people Of the States, as a logical he
ccssity, are RENTED back to their Constr
buttons and Governments which existed
at the time of secession. All that was nee
cssary, all that the United States, under
the Federal Constitution had the right to
do, {and that they were bound to do) was
to restore those governments and eonstitu-
tiOns back to the people. This. was their
solemn constitutional obligation. Ifithad
been promptly recognized and performed,
the Union would have been immediately
harlnonized and all political disturbance
settled. The remedy, therefore, for pres
ent ills and the only preventive of utter.
future ruin is, for each department., in it's
appropriate sphere, and all the depart
ments Notwithstanding the Gov
eminent Of the United States, to retnrn,l
! in good faith. to the Constitution. That
Instrument guarantees the equality Of the
States in rights and dignity, and recogni.
yes the fundamental. principle that each,
for itself, shall confer and define State cit
izenship, andprescribe the qualification for
exercising the elective franchise and hold
| ing Office.
In making this earnest protest against
being placed, by force, nnder aegro domia-
ion, we disayow all feeling Of resentment
towards that unfortunate race. As we are.
destined to live together, we desire farmo-
ny and friendship between them and our
selves; as they are made the drpes of up-
|scrupulous partisans and designing adven-
turers, we pity them; as they are 1gnor-
ant, dependant and helpless, it is our p,,r-
pose to protect them in the enjoyment of
all the rights of person and property to
which their freedom entities them.
Conservative Men Of Georgia Awaken to
a proper sense of your danger! Organize
for self protection and ceaseless opposition
to the direful rule ofnegro supremacy which
is sought to be enforced upon us and our
children, in defiance of the Constitution,
and in contempt of the civilization of the
age and the opinions of mankind.
Fellow citizens Of the North: Within the
last few months. the question ofnegro shf-
frage has been before you at the ballotbox.
In voice not to be misunderstood you
have decided against it. You decided rot
unfairly 1t has been decided for as,
against OR wifl and against our. convictions
cfWhatis compatible with good government
and the Constitution of the Enitcd States:
and decided By those aeho do not expect to lire
Rader tie State governments they propose to
establish by force. Yon decided against it,
although hermmber Of negroesamong you
was too small to constitute considerable,
much less a controlling element in politics.
II is ordained by our oppressors that we
shat have it, Notwithstanding that it will
lead to negro supremacy over lis. Ji,c are
poweress; you are potent to forbid the
outrage: viii you stand aloof and calmly
see It's subjected to this damning wrong;
and that, too, when it will imperil the Re-
public and spread balefnl disaster over ey-
cry interest
Renewing our pledge Of nngullied honor
and our tender Of frank aud manly obedi-
ence to the Constitution, we appeal to You,
in the name Of the Conservative people of
our State, to unite together in the patriot
ic effort to restore andperpetuate coustitu-
tidnal government. Your recent elections
encourage oar hopes and challenge orr
gratitude. May truth, justice and right,
terrible as an army with banners" gath
ering strength in every conflict, march on
conquering and to conquer" until its
friends, rescnilig it from the grasp of cen
tralisn, shall restore, to its appropriate sll-
premacy, TIE CONSTITUTION OF TIE UNI
TED STATES, SO that Georgia, with her sis
tiers in oppression, shall enjoy the same
protection which its honest enforcement
would give to every State in the Union.
HERsCHEL Y. Johnson,
ABsALoM H. CHAppELL,
BENZ. H. HILL,
WARREN AKIN,
T. L. GUERRY.
JANUARY 8, 1868.