New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-02-29
PUBLIC MEETING IN ST. HELENA
PARISH.

slant contains the proceedings OF Demo-
cratic meeting held at Greensburg il the
parish of st. Helena, on the 22d instan;
and to show to your loyal readers the
tendency manifested by the men composing
this party in the very inception OF their
organization, propose to make few ex-
tracts from the resolutions that were passed
on that occasion. The spirit manifested
by this so-called Democratic meeting is,
| in my judgment, but a weak specimen of
the temper that exists in the minds of the
opponents of reconstruction in this state.
have the advantage Of a personal ac-
quaintanee with nearly every man who
took a prominent part in that meeting,
and have had for many years past and the
diction of those resolutions betrays to my
mind their author. / know that gentle
mans sentiments, and know in drafting
| those resolutions he has used herculean
efforts to restrain his feelings in such a
way as to enable him to present docu-
ment acceptable even to that bedy.
The meeting was called for the purpose
of responding to the call of the seltstyled
Democratic central executive committee
of this city, to organize clubs in the
various parishes throughout the state.
In order that the reader may clearly
| 6plilb uhO OColb IA VI lhGbC
men toward their political opponents in
this state, hope will be excused for
quoting in full the fourth resolution, After
ringing the changes on the doctrine that
| the present congress is an unconstitutional
body, in the preamble and foregoing reso-
lutions they proceed to say:
'ResolUed, That we do not recognize the
validity ofthe convention assembled in Lou
isiana under said acts; that the delegates
to it were elected by fraud and corruption,
by false and fraudulent registration, the
disfranchisement of the intelligence OF the
country to great extent, and the enfTan-
chisement of the ignorant and degraded;
that said convention does not represent the
people, and we will, if we can help our
selves, not live under the constitution which
it has framed or may frame.o
These men tell us in plain terms that
they will not, if they can help it, (well put
in), live under the constitution now being
framed by the convention now in session in
this city.
When properly interpreted what dees all
this mean
According to my understanding it means
simply this That in the first place they
ignore the natural right of the cOlOred pop
ulation of this country to participate in any
manner in public affairs, or even to enjoy
citizenship. Although they can not prac-
tice slavery as they formerly did, yet they
would keep this numerous class of people
in such an attitude before the country as at
any time they might be subjected to the
grcssest injustice. And who doubts but
that these old Shareholders would legislate
in such way as to continue tlis class Of
our population in their interest-aD
interest guided entirely by avarice. In the
second place they deny that these people
can acquire the right of citizenship
and franchise under the national con-
stitution, and assert that any effort in
that direction sis an attempt at
''usurpation." This is the theory an
nounced in the above resolution, and it is
! the theory embraced by the Democratic
party throughout the United States. Can
i, any man who possesses an honest heart and
an enlightened mind subscribe to this prop
osition? There are outrages enough
. already committed in the name Of civiliza-
! tion and Christianity; but this one would
stink in the nostrils Of the nineteenth cen.
Jury. -. -, ss-5.-..
1 would gladly point out the injurious
consequences of such policy, but space
will not permit, and must content myself
with giving only few more brief quota
tiOns from these delectable Democratic reso-
lutions. roat Hacb b.. ~,
J In one the following declaration is made
j ''That we love with unalterable affection
/ the constitution Of the United States'
+ J. Have we no reason. to doubt the truth Of
this assertion, being familiar with the record
/, Of these men since 1867 We know how
these gentlemen manifested their love Of
country during the late civil war. Have
they ever recalted their heresy, or made
it apparent BY words, or deeds that they
: intend in future to prove faithful to
united nationality On tho contrary, art
they not constantly endeaVoring to produce
dissatisfaction among the people with th'
8 government and laWsl
1t is well understood by the leaders o
this so called Democratic party that th'
embers of strife still glow in the hearts o
their constituents, and only await tn,
: development Of their plans to spring tortl
in the blaze ofreVolution.
' Having taken up more space than l in
tended in the outset Of this article, mus
! | conclude by admOniahing the friends o
liberty and Of free government in thl
state to be Vigilant and faithful in tn
exercise oftheir political franchise. Ever,
1 OuloH HuH suoutU DC prompt Ia tHo sup
pOrtof the men who have been chosen q
standard bearers in the coming campaign
With such a leader as Il. O. Warnolh, tn
Unieu Hasn Of this state need not have tn
least doubt that victory will perch on thei
banner, =
am satisfied this. state has neye
claimed for its chief executive q NOR
a. polished aud high-toned gentleman, an
m with his administration will be inmigurats
\ career Of prosperity unknova in GU
! past history. ,.,-...t s..5-'.'
70 am aware Of the anathemas and abus
Of that will be hurled, at me by my old az
i'd quaintances aud those Who agree with thel
in sentiment for my advocacy Of thet
leaders whom they contemptuOusly styl
"carpet-bsggef but ere many moBtl
roll around they will perceive the wisdo
and justice Of my course.
To defeat reeonstruclion under the col
gressi0nAl poiiey would be the madness
folly on the part Of the Southern peopl
Of Have they ever reflected that they have /
other refuge Another revelation mig
/. develop another plan. But who desir
that Respectfully. Esf, s7so19
r. G. RICHARDSON.