The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-04

these Revolutionary tribunals unconstitutional, bat
only too late to revive the Wondering clay Of
their unfortunate victims. l need not speak Of
the murder of Mrs. surratt, the history Of her
they multiplied osths, some Of which we're in
tended to prevent gentlemen Of the legal profess
sion, even in this city, from appearing before the
United Stetes courts In defense Of the rights of
our citizens. f .
But they were 30 baseless, 90 clearly without
shadow Of constitutional authority that the courts
refused to administer them. For this the Supreme
Court was threatened with impeachment, and fail
ing in this Congress did reduce the number Of the
judges for the purpose Of securing to the Radical
iherity it might henceforth be permitted to ex.
ercise. r I r.ra ~ -|
In 1851 they made strong and repeated appeals
to the people to raise armies to maintain the
Union and the authority Of the Constitution. In
1865 we surrendered our arms and repaired to
what was left of our former homes. We surren-
dered In good faith and believing the States would
be restored TO their original position In the Union,
without trouble or unnecessary delay. But We
were doomed to be disappointed in our dreams
and hopes. for it soon became apparent that
the Radicals would have preferred to con-
tinue the war TO restoring the Union under
the Constitution 90 1t existed. Hence we have
the l4th amendment so much spoken of. In 1859
party purposes again required the recog-
Dtion Of another State, and something In the form
Of the Virginia farce was to be repeated. Gen.
Butler had taken possession Of New Orleans and
IS much Of the banks Of the Mississippi river as
the guns from his boats might protect. An cleo
ton was ordered in this portion Of the State Of
Louisiana. and accordingly Messrs. Hahn and
Flanders were returned as members of Congress.
They took their seats and served without ques-
ton as to their representative capacities. But In
1865, when the whole State was disarmed and re-
duced to their possession, after as gallant an army
Of soldiers as ever camped on q tented field or
stacked arms had disbanded and returned to their
homes, the very same men were refused their
teats in Congress on tho ground that the State OF
Louisiana had ceased to exist. In the presence of
the United States army, when not confronted by
our gallant boys, 1t would from these examples
appear that States sink into nonentity and lose
the very name of States.
Thus you will perceive, my fellow citizens, that
after forcing ten States out OF the Union, which
they asserted could not go out by any act of their
own. they still boasingly assert that they are
par excellence Union party.
From what have shown of their administra-
ton their duplicity on all questions they have
ever thought proper to make political capital out
of, can it be said that they have any accurate ap
probation of constitutional law? Now what is
our position to-day? Let Us look at it for mo-
msDt. Here are men, mere adventurers. the pets
and favorites of those higher In authority; men
who have exhausted the public treasury by UMPIRE
cedented appropriations. who are known to have
usurped their powers, now presiding over Us,
robbiDg us of our substance and reducing Us to
poverty and want. Is 1t not a sad commentary
on human nature and buresque on constitu-
tonal government, that those who have
obliterated States, trsmpled on Con.titu.
tons, and thus morally perjured them
selves before God and honest men, should
probe our consciences by administering oaths to
us, LEI 1t not deplorable state of affairs when,
by the unauthorized ostracisms of the Radical
party, Louisanians are to be made the only aliens
in Louisiana! Yet such Is to be the practical re-
suit Of the system of registration lately adopted
and now being carried into effect. Shall we sub.
NIT to such pslpsble denial of constitutional
rights! Are these arbitrary registrars thus to
hold our liberties In allegiance and at their mercy,
whilst their menials vote aud deprive us OF q
voice? know not what you. gentlemen Of the
city, are inclined TO do, butt if be not very much
mistaken in the temper of the people In the inte-
rior OF the country, they intend to vote, whether
registered or not. provided they have that right
under the Constitution. Such has been my sssur-
ance to one who is high In authority in this State
at this time.
One word as to the country and our political
prospects there, and will have said all had in
tended. Have been actively engaged since the
campaign opened in speaking to the colored
people. mustsay have found them orderly and
attentive. The principal difficulty we have Is in
getting them to attend our gatherings. We have
found that their obligations to their leagues and
clubs deter many from coming to hear rs, who
would otherwise listen to our instructions aud join
rs. Another obstacle to our success is the uni
versal want of funds. Our people are In debt,
and it Is the most difficult thing in the world to
make such demonstrations az are calculated to
win the admiration of the black man. II we only
had little Of the money all your beautiful para.
phernalia show you to have expended in your gall
liant club, it would greatly aid Us in propagating
our political faith, without detrment to your
sense of duty or disparsgement to your abundant
fund of Information. Fearing that have taxed
your patience beyond my proper limits, and tha.k.
ing you sincerely for your kind attention to my
bid you good night.