The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-08-25

paramount right to decide all question:
as to the constitutional powers of Con
gress, at the ballot box when judicia
construction did mot suit it. but a!
soon as the Republican party began t,
put in operation such dogmas as it, BY
i it's triumph at the ballot box had de
4 cided upon. the Democratic party be
/ came clamorous against the outrage
and demandeda return to the authori.
4 ty of the Constitution as interpreted
! by the Courts p9 EItT toa HGu8dt ~
7 At the termination of the war, its
Headers every where told the people
that old party issues were no Longer
! practical questions, that tho Demo
cratic party was as dead as the ole
whig party, both having been buried
with the Union.c olors for tlieir winding
sheets. Their wings were impforingly
finvited-yea; importuned to organize
with them under the Democratic nam,
to oppose the madness of Radicalism
A coalition was formed and the result
is known. No sooner had the conser-
vative Democratic party, SO called
then, completed its organization, than
! we were told it was the old Democratic
I party redivivus.Tq The teachings of its
old leaders, were again made the
standard Of political preferment, and
every voter is how theatened with po-
litical decapitation and exeommnDica-
ton who dares express an independent
opinion of his own. The ghost of the
old war democracy still stalks about
among us, pointing it's tieshless fingers
to the spods Of Office, until orr souls
"are narrowed up,;' in the dreadful des-
olation its policy has entailed upon us.
Look att, fellow citizens. 3aras
| 1t processes to be opposed to Radi-
calism, organizes political campaigns
in opposition to it, puts forth candi-
dates for every Office in the govern
ment, and yet, these anti-radical cam
Elitates; as soon as possible after their
election take the oath of office in
which they swear that they do "accept
the civil and political equality Of all
men and agree not to attempt to de-
prive any person or persons, on ac-
count of race, color or previous condi-
ton of any political or civil right, priv
Iilege or immunity enjoyed by any other
class of men," &C. j. 1t'i' aoi.t7t'g g
1t therefore, organizes its party and
runs its candidates on one theory, for
the purpose of securing the votes Of
the white population, whilst its chosen
standard bearers swear to another at
the threshold of office. ~ a 944i
1ftiey are going to swear to the civil
and political equality of all men, re-
CARELESS of race, color or previous con-
dition, why, not base their candidacy
upon that principles Why stir up SO
much violence between the races,
about a distinction, which they are
arduously seeking an opportunity to
swear they reject and are willing to
abhegate according to constitutional
requirements. Where is the open hon
esty of such course ? The Democratic
leaders are by no means aveise to
taking all the Offices they can get but,
-. i.
they want all the people to believe
they scorn every idea of the political
equality of the niger, until, they are
permitted to swear that they accept that
equality. Any one, who like myself.
has the termerity to say openly that
he accepts it before he goes into Office,
is denounced as being Radical. And
it is III this way, the leaders of the
Democratic party; are humbugging and
deceivipg the masses Of the people"
For these and many other reasons l am
NO DEMOCRAT in the present popular
acceptation of the term. l cannot ac-
commodate such contradictions with
ACCOMPLISHMENT in my conscience I
hope the people now understand why
I am neither Radical nor Democrat
In conclusion let me explain my posi-
ton for myself, and I think they will
then be better able to understand how
one may be truly patriotic and still
repudiate many of the odious measures
of both the existing parties. am In
favor Of removing at once, all political
disabilities, SO that every citizen may
enjoy all the rights incident to citizen
ship. lam in favor of accepting the.
results Of reconstruction, so far as the
elective franchise is concerned, as ex-
tended to the colored race. / am in
favor of establishing impartial qaalif-
cations as tests for all public function
aries, from the Juror to the Governor.
I am in favor of establishing schools
and institutions of learning for both
races, but think it unwise, and imprac-
ticable to organize them, SO that the
children of both races can attend the
same schools unfortunately. I
would establish schools for tile whites
and schools for the blacks, and
would exercise no partially in favor
of either one, on account of race, color
or previous condition. l recognize the
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