The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-07-15
Frank Blair's Platform.

Frank Blair's Platform.
The following letter was .pddressed
by Gen. F. P. Blair to Col. J. o. Broad
head, of the Missouri delegation to.
New York, in reply to inquiry as to his
disposition to become o candidate. It
talks as old Frank used to talk in the
brave old days of Jackson:
| WASHINGTON, June 30, 1863.
To Col. James o Brcadhead:
Dear Colonet-In reply to Your in
quiries, ] beg leave to say that leave
| you to determine on consultation with
my friends from Missouri, whether my
name shall be presented to the Demo-
cratic Convention, and to submit the
following as what I consider the real
and only issue inithis contest:
The Reconstruction policy Of the
Radica1s will be complete before the
next election; the States 90 long e1clu-
ded will have been admitted, negro
suffrage established and the carpet
baggers installed in their seats in both
branches Of Congress. There Is 70
possibility of changing tire political
character Of the Senate; even If the
Democrats should elect their President
and majority of the popular branch
of Congress. We cannot, therefore,
undo the Radical plan Of Reconstruc-
ton by congressional action; the Sem
ate will continue bar to its repeal.
Must we submit to itf How can it be-
overthrownf 1t can only be overthrowu
by the authority of the Executive, whe
is sworn to maintain the constitution,
and who will fail to do his duty if he
allows the constitution to perish under
a series Of congressional enactments
which are in palpable violation of its
fundamental principles.
If the President elected by the De-
mocracy enforces, or permits others to
enforce, the reconstruction acts, the
Radicals, by the accession of twenty
spurious Senators and fifty Representa-
tives, will control both branches of
Congress, and his administration will
be as powerless as the present one of
Mr.. johnson.
There is but one way to restore the
Government and the Constitution, and
that is for the President elect to de
clare these acts null and void, compel
the army to undo its usurpations at the
South, dispense the carpet-bag State
governments, allow the white people to
reorganize their own governments and
elect Senators and Representatives
The House of Representatives will con-
tain a majority of Democrats from the
North, and they will admit the Repre-
sentatives elected by the white people
Of the South, and with the cooperation
of the President it will not be difficult
to compel the Senate to submit once
more to the obligations OF the Constitu-
ton. It will not he able to Withstand
the public Judgment, If distinctly in
voked and clearly expressed, on this
fundamental issue, and l. it is the suro
way to avoid all future strife to put
this issue plainly to the country.
repeat that this is the real and only
question which'we should allow to control
us: Shall we submit to the usurpatious BY
which the Government has been over
thrown, or shall we exert ourselves for ito
full and complete restoration? It is idle
to talk of bonds, greenbacks, gold, the pub
lie faith and the public credit. What can
a Democratic President do in regard to any
Of these with Congress in both branches
controlled by the carpet-baggers and their
allies? He will DO poweriess to stop the
supplies by which idle negroes are organil-
ed into political clubs--by which IN army
is maintained to protect these vagsbonds
in their outrages upon the ballot. These,
and things like these, eat up the revenues
and resources Of the Government, and de-
stroy its credit, make the difference between
gold and greenbacks. We must restore
the constitution before we can restore tho
finances, and to do this We must have .
President who will execute the will Of the
people oy trampling into dust the usurpa-
tions Of Congress, known as the Recon
struction acts. / wish to stand before the
Convention upon this issue, but it is one
which embraces everything else that ID Of
value in its large and comprehensive r.
suits. It is the one thing that includes oil
that is worth contest, and without il
there is nothing that gives dignity. honor
or value to the struggle.
Your friend, FRANK r. BLAIR.
Mires Rosenthal, Treasurer, In Ac-
count with Corporation Of Alex
!, andria Louisiana;
1868. d