The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-01-05
Meeting OF Ex-Omcers and Soldiers OF tho
Federal Army.


We have received, and publish by request, the
following proceedings Of q meeting of ex-oficers
and soldiers OF the federal army, in New Orleans.
The resolutions, 1t will be observed, call for q
public meeting OF all persons opposed to radical
ism to be held ats place hereafter to be DESIGNATED
next Wednesday, the sth Of January, for the pur-
pose Of effectng permanent organization of the
national Democratic party of the State of
Louisiana:
CONSERVATIVE MEETING.
At q meeting of ex Union officers and soldiers,
and original Union men, held in the city of New
Orleans on the Sd of January 1868, Colonel W. NJ.
Smallwood was chosen president and Captain G..
S. Darling secretary.
The president explained the object of the
meeting 70 be 10 consider the necessity of
organized effort in opposition to the con-
tinued rule Of radicalism in the State, and to
thwart the schemes of that party for placing the
country under negro domination. He was glad to
know that there were very many men, lately In
the service Of the country, who would rally to the
standard of the national Democracy, or OF any
other party that would restore the principles Of
constitutional government and popular liberty.
II might not be proper for this meeting TO UNDER
take the organization Of the Democratic party
that should be referred to q general meeting of
citizens-but it would be proper to declare our
political convictions, and to recommend such
steps as would tend to bring about the proper or
ton let il be such will enlist the sympathy Of
sill who desire the promotion of fraternity and
equal rights
The following declaration of principles was
then presented, which, after being fully discussed,
was unanimously adopted and ordered to be pub
lshed with the proceedings of this meeting
'As ex-Union officers and soldiers. and original
Union men, deploring the ills that af1ct our coun-
try, we eschew all sectional bias and partisan
Influence IN the declarations we now make:
i. The fundamental principles of eonstitu-
tional government are being frittered away in the
strfes of factions for party domination.
2. With the country enormously In debt, and
many sections still unreclaimed from the devas-
tatons Of the late war. our greatest necessity as
people is peace on he basis Of Fraternity and
equal rights The triumphs of the war secured
the physical outlines Of the republic, but TO be
free, prosperous and happy, confidence and
accord must be re established in the hearts and
minds Of all the people in all the States.
"3. Every department of government, both
State and federal, should regard and faithfully
execute the several proclamatons of amnesty is-
sued by Mr. Lincoln and Mr.. johnson respectively.
and the terms a1d conditions of surrender of the
Confederate armies as accorded them BY Generals
Grant and Sherman. Not TO do this will place
upon our country the foul blot of infdelity
towards a fallen foe, which ought and will bring
upon US the scorn and contempt OF all honorable
men.
one tost-submssion and obedience to the Consti-
tuition and laws of the country aud We are, there
fore, resolved not TO be mislesd by the constant
cry OF rebel on the one hand. or loyalty on
the ether, but will receive, and think the country
ought TO receive, with open arms and honest
hearts, all who can stand the test we have
named. Present obedience is present loyalty.
end 10 present loyalty we would accord the full
protection Of person and property, aud all the i'm
muniiies, privileges and benefits enjoyed by the
people in the proudest days of our peace and
prosperity.
5. The Union has hot been dissolved. Seces-
l..1T
thrown by our armies wherefore the principle Of
constitutional Union, though embamed in
Hood, has survived the conflict of arms, with
every State undisturbed in IFS orbit, aud each
equal, Independent and sovereign under the Con-
stituiion.
SO. Entertaining these views we demand at the
hands of Congress and of the government in its
several co-of dinste departments, a return to the
principles of strict constitutional administration
the recognition of the equality Of the States; the
repeal of all laws of Congress that are based upon
the assumption that the Southern.States, any Of
them, are out of the Union; the repeal OF all
laws Of Congress affecting rights and powers
which by the federal Constitution are reserved to
the States or to the people > the acknowledge
nent of the right of the people 10 representation
by the imme date admission of delegates to Con-
gress from all the States; the modification Of all
laws respecting revenue that discriminate against
the labor and agricultural productions of the
Southern States; the repeal or modification of all
such laws as exempt the rich bOndh0lders of the
Country from the payment OI tneIr JUST proportion
OF the public revenues and, the supremacy Of
the civil law" -
Gu motion Of Captain Darling the following res
Olution unanimo usly adopted:
ReSOlred, That having no confidence In any
method of Reconstruction" that ploscrbes the
intelligent and responsible citizens of the South,
We cordially invite all persons, of whatever party
designation heretofore known, and who sanctions
the principles above set forth. to cooperate with
us in this effort to re-establish the ancient and
constitutional landmarks of popular legislation
aud popular liberty; and, to that end, we recon-
mend that public meeting Of all persons opposed
TO radicAlism be held at -, on the S.h of jan
usry, for the purpose Of enectng a permanent
organization Of the national Democratic party Of
the State of Louisiana.
The meeting thereupon adjourned, subject to
the call Of the president.
". NJ sMALLwooD President.
G. S. DARLIsG, Secretary.