The Opelousas courier., 1870-08-27

proved by leading men of the Republican
party; and yet in the same breath IN
which they write down the infamy OF
their own party, they solicit contlnu-
ance of the support Of the people under
the pretence that honest men are to be
put forward in the future. If the sal
vation of the party depends on that test,
it must inevitably share the fate of the
cities of the plains, and its requiem will
be sung in November next. But this IS
not only cur own, but the yerd let of all
good men, endorsed by Mr.. Dur ant him
self, who realizes how much better it is
for his ignoble party to be defeated than
survive longer under the leadership OF
such corrupt political adventurous AS
now aftiict our beloved State.
The pernicious consequences OF the
acts of the Radical party throughout the
State have been severely felt by oil
classes. white and colored, native and
foreign born. All have been plundered,
deceived, oppressed, and restricted III
the enjoyment of rights guaranteed by
every law, human and divine. ln order
therefore to redeem our State, and re-
lease ourselves from the grasp of inetfi-
cient and corrupt men, it becomes us to
unite as one man, without regar to race,
color or previous condition, and hurl
them from place and power, and fill the
offices with honest men and patriots.
The interests Of both white and black
men are identical in this struggle.
Whatever rights and privileges either
enjoy nnder the Constitution are sacred,
and it is the duty of every citizen to see
that they are maintained. The Demo
cratic party has always upheld and de-
Tended the Constitution Of the country,
and will now, as ever in the past, pro
tect and defend every citizen ia the full
and free exercise Of all rights guaranteed
by that instrument. At the la St election
in New York, so triumphant for the
Democracy, the only charge brought
against the party was, that it favored
} the colored citizens in their constitu-
! tioual privileges. The colored people
of this State, therefore, may be assured
that the Democracy will ever continue
to live up to the grand principles that
have so long characterized 1t.
AS the greater part of our n,isfortunes
/ are cllargeable to the last Legislature.
: it is in the power of the people to remedy
f much Of the mischief by the election OF
, true and tried men to the coming Leg
islature, the members Of which are to
} be chosen in November next. In this
, way we may yet save the State from fur
, ther financial and political ruin. To
that end let the Democratic and Conser-
yative voters put in nomin alton their
, best men for the Legislature, and use all
{ laudable and honorable efforts to secure
their election.
D Besides Legislature, State Auditor
r and Treasurer are also to be elected.
) Our platform is retrenchment and re-
l form: to rid the State of its enormous
debt: reduce taxation have our levees
, rebuilt; restore confidence and promote
:; harmony between capital and labor; be-
l., tween the colored man and the planter
= between the latter and the merchant
: to induce immigration, and to develop
= the vast agricultural wealth Of the State
: For the accomplishment of these pur.
4 poses we ask the cooperation of all good
? citizens, under whatever name associa'
4 ted. We believe great triumph is
II within our reach. Republicanism has
z produced it's bitter fruits, and in them Ii
T written it's own condelnnation IN ; its days
Y are numbered in Louisiana A party
that publicly pleads the cause of corrup'
8 ton: that seeks to return to Office mer
= who have earned an indelible infamy
b whose watchwords have been fraud. dis
/, stimulation and false promises to q ere
d dulous consistency who ridicule prl
d yate morality who publicly proclaim
r that the ruling motives of their legisla
o ton are epoliation and oppression, can
If not confront the voters of Louisiana ant
d successfully demand their support.
Is We earnestly urge upon the peopl'
y throughout the State to organize for tn
% work at once. The committees of tn
u several parishes are requested to con
20 vene their clubs and elect their dele
Y gates to the Convention, and report tn
;e names of such delegates to the Secretar,
d of this Committee at the earliest date
3 The Committee beg to call the atten
> ton Of the people to the address issue
ic by the Democratic members of Congress
D and especially to that portion recon
le mending the selection of the best me
g. for Congress, and only such as can tax
,e the test oath and are under no disabil
9: ties imposed by the Fourtee eenth Amend
ID ment. A Radical Congress has declare
that those who cannot take the test oatl
n DE WHO bADOE uu0GL enO AN Nk1oSOu N4Ss EsDAA
q. ties, shall not take seats In that bod,
n. We may not stop to inquire into th
"a policy or validity of the acts Of Congress
m experience teaches us to elect men WI
40 are not disqualified. What the Stat
tv needs is representation.
Il With efficient and honest men to q
an our offices of trust; with wise and faitl
he full citizens as legislators. there can
va NO reason why our people should ~
.. again be prosperous and happy. "
le' have soil that 10, unparalleled for fe
IL tility climate that IL genial, and gre
natural advantages and resources. l.
ne be true to ourselves, and futu
on awaits us of material prosperity as graz
G" and unexampled 40 the past has be'
:. ruinous and disparaging. :,
= The basis Of representation in Il
aei State Convention, as revised and fixt
by the committee, will be one deiega
'o. for eyery three hundred, and for eve
fEactian ever one hundred and fifty Del
an ocratie votes cast at the last genet
er. election. Every parish shall be entiIl
ses taf least to one representative. II
ths rule applies to each new parish. -.
hss AL papers friendly to the purposes
ON this address are requested TO pnbiish