The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1869-05-29
Conservative Organization.
From the New Iberia Times. 2lst 'nst'

from the New Iberia Times. 2lst instl
Conservative citizens of Lou's,ans
have taken but little part in politics
since the war, because they saw thai
extreme views governed the leaders o1
the two parties as we'll as the masses
and the success of either was not likely
to briag a lasting peace to the country
Unfortunately. the prejudices OF men
were given full play, and peuplee bought
SO mach of past wrongs and differences
that they did not stop to consider what
would be- the result Of present hasty
action By endeavoring to keep alive
issues which were settled by the war;
we have brought muqb trouble upon
ourselves and insured tie success Of the
Republican party. Had our people at
first been willing to make half the con-
cessions they are now ready$o do. our
State would never have been the scene
Of riots and bloodshed, and we would
now be in a condition of much greater
prosperity. :.
We are opposed to radicdisa, wheth-
er Democratic or Republican. The
interests of the country demand that
conservative principles should be instill-
odiuto the people. and to attain this
end, We would be glad to see a State
eouvention called, to meet as soon as
practicable, composed of delegates who
will fairly represent the feelings of the
people Of each parish, regardless of past
party ties, and organize a new party,
upon whose platform all conservative
men can stand, and work together for
the good of the people ofthe whole State.
There exists an imperative necessity for
earnest Shd united effort to count -ract
the POLITICAL madness whicl, has reigned
in our STATE for some time past. New
issues must attract our attention, and
when each citizen does his utmost TO
restore harmony among the people, urg-
ing Northern emigrants to settle among
us, and all unite heartily in the work
we have before us of building up q great
State. we will soon find our aspirations
are much the same, let our private opin
ions be what they may. g.
AS regards the questa,n of negro
suffrage, which has been an issue, We
believe the people now see the necessity
for such acknowledgements and are willing
to accept, as an addition to our political
power, this element; and there is no
doubt that by the additional represen-
tatiou gained in Congress, and with prop
er efforts to induce the colored man to !
use the ballot Alright, that good will yet
come out of what at first we all regarded
as great calamity, and prosperity even
tuelly succeed the iunumerable trials we
are now passing through. We know
many of our fellow-citigens do not fully
agree With US on this subject. but believe
time will convince all that iuasmuch as
the blacks are now free, and must live
with us, that both justice and expedien-
cy demand that they b. given the rights
Of citizenship. and every effort should be
made to quality them for the responsible
lity TINS imposed upon them. We be-
lievs every man should at least be able
to read before being allowed to vote; but ,
il that cannot be, we should make the
most of existing circumstances.
Therefore, with the hope of harmoni-
ziug the diseordant elements, we favor
the calling Of a convention, believing a !
step OF this kind will do more to restore
quiet thaa anything else; and it matters
mot what name the new organization bears,
III it but represents the conservative
elements Of ths State. good will be the
result. ae e# IT,