The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-30

great objects had in view-the preservation of the
peace and order of the State in the present
canvass.
Respectfully submitted.
]. o. NIXON, Chairman
To the Chairman and Members Of the Committee in the In
terest Peace and Order:
Genaeme,l-I beg leave to submit the following
report:
Appoiuted a subcommittee to confer with q
sub committee of the Republican party, in the
interest of peace and order, the subject has been
under serious consideration for several days, but
| difficulties of grave moment preclude us from
| adopting any plan of united action in the above
| interest
The causes that led to the appointment of this
| committee in the Interest Of peace and order "
| are too well understood to be repeated 10 argu-
| mentative style. We all felt their weight and ac-
| knowledged the universal necessity of immediate
| and determined action. There is an excitement
too intense for words, and stiffness more danger
| GUS than the tramp of armies. The heart OF this
| people had been stirred by designing emissares,
| and by a system of iniquitous legislation, into
| passion that promised a beginning terrible, but
shadowed neither in its proportions nor In its con-
| sequences.
Apart from the question of self.respect, the
| first step in the interest OF peace and order in
volved the necessity of demanding as a SINE qua
| nOll the postponement (if could not be modified
| or arrested,) of the class legislation now carried
| on in the interest of the dominant party of the
State, alike insulting and mischievous and preg.
nant with deplorabe consequences.
An address of vague generalities could add
| nothing to tha general sentiment daily expressed
| by our people-"let have peace" Indeed,
this is the earnest desire of the Democratic party
throughout the St1te-it is the wish of every good
citizen. This committee was expected to do
something more than reiterate this sentiment. II
was to strive, by every manly effort, to induce the
| Republican party to forego its extreme partisan
policy and shape it's legislation 80 as to harmonic
and advance the real interest OF the whole people.
Indeed, such were the promises of that party If
elevated to power in the State: For three years
congressional legislation had kept the Southern
States under military despotlsm. Reconstruction
was to relieve them from this tyranny. In the
Union the people of Louisiana had reason to hope
that they would be restored to their rights and
dignity and the States and their State legislatures
would be characterized by wisdom and concilia
ton. These hopes, alas have turned to ashes.
Like the serpent warmed to life, the dominant
party turned upon citizens of Caucasian blood In
spirit of vindictive fury. If Congress abridged
our rights and privileges, the State Legislature
adopting the same line of policy have become
more dangerous and revolutionary. Appalled, at
the abrse of power in the hands Of irresp onsbe
and designing men, the people of our State have
become justly alarmed. II they are to have no
voice in government they wish to be protected
and their remaining rights respected.
| The subject was presented to the earnest atten-
ton of the Republican committee, and may add,
In most forcible and manly terms to the chief ex-
ecutive of the State by some of our most dstin-
guished citizens. And although large expecta-
/
assurances given on these several occasions, it is
evident from the conduct Of the Legislature since,
that the chief executive, ito award him credit Tor
good intentions is powerless; and the committee
| of the Republican party in the interest of peace
and order. candidy confess their inability TO avert,
control or postpone the revolutionary legislation
of which we complain. We will not stop to inquire
into the truth of these confessions 1t is
enough for us to know they are gravely made, aud
the appalling fact stares us in the face that the
negro race, successfully manipulated by few
mischievous adventurers, have supreme control
Of our State government, and are shaping its des-
| TIMES in a direction that must inevitably lead to
| consequences too serious to contemplate.
II is our duty 10 counsel peace and forbearance;
but II is equally our duty TO say that Radical le.
gslation as now going on is inmica to peace and
order and the prosperity of the State. The con-
| servatives all over the country have great reason
10 be filed with alarm. Almost every bill pre-
sented to the Legislature seems to be prepased
expressly with view to irritate and degrade the
white race. There is no closing our eyes to the
deliberate purposes of the party in power-sUBJU.
CATION OF OUR RACE TO NEGRO DOMINATION.
Carrying out these designs. the several bills
under confederation in conjunction with those al
ready passed and approved, are so framed as to
subvert all our ideas of good government, and
completely overturn every remaining social, re-
ligous or political right; officials are armed with
power to invade the privacy of our homes, citizens
are turned over 10 the caprice of an irresponsible
police, and, in certain instances, condemned
without the right of trial by jury or the bene-
1
ton bill the right Of suffrage is hedged in by
odous and degrading oaths not found in the
Constitution, in order to deprive thousands of the
elective franchise the militia BILL as the governor
boastingly stated on q certain occasion, is now
Il passed and become q Law. Under the organic
law scarcely white man In our State can hold a
commission under it, thus virtually demanding OF
the governor to organize the negroes, and array
them in armed hostility to the white race. The
ee bility bjll-the bill empowering the governor
to fill vacances-the bill providing q remedy
against patton, intrusion, etc.. into office or
the franchise of the State, and making 1t the duty
Of the attorney general to prosecute In the name
of The State any one in Office, at the instance Of
any party or parties-leaves individuals now in
Office with as uncertain tenure as Demo
cratic member of this present Legislature
the governor, in removing from office,
is clothed with Judicial as well
as executive powers unprecedented; city charters
are being abolished and municipal Offices mad
vacant by Wholesale; tho inquitous school bill
forces by fines and imprisonment, the children of
the two races into the same school or into the
house Of refuge at the option Of the superintend.
eht of public education; il empowers him to
examine into the condition of every class Of
schools, public or private, in the State, with pie
nary power to modify. control. or abolish the same
ct will and, what may be more obnoxious to q