The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1870-03-12
PRESS CONVENTION.

Gentzemen This committee hav-
ing thoroughly considered all the
questions which, in our estima~
ton, should be brought up before
this Convention, hereby recom-
mends the following subjects,
under different heads, and would
suggest the appointment or cleo
ton Of four committees of three,
each of which committees to con-
slider the questions under one
head.
i. To consider the political
condition of the State, and to
define line of policy to be pur-
sued by The press of the State,
the same to be embodied in an
address and resolutions.
2. To consider the subjects of
immigration, leveess, public works
and State finances.
8. Public education and gener-
al interest of the press.
The organization of a Press
Union, and the preparation of a
constitution and bylaws for its
government.
The report was adopted.
ADDRESS.
The situation of the people of
Loiiisiana at the present time is
precarious in the extreme. The
Legislature of the State is made
up of men, the large majority of
whom pay light taxes or no tax
es at all, or have no sympathy
with the people of the State,
white or col eretl. Ie has been to
the interest of Office seekers to
stir mp an animosity between the
two races, and to intensity all of
the natural prejudices that may
exist among them. m
While the embers of war were
yet smoking around US, and orr
people were making honest strug-
giles IN the various branches of
Industry to mend their broken
fortunes, incendiary appeals were
made tot the colofed race all over
the State for selfish and mali g.
nant purposes. And the men who
stirred up all the bitterness which
at times threatened a war of races,
sent forth base ISLANDERS against
us all over the North and the
West, charging us with sins which
lay at the doors of our calumina
tors.
But much of this trouble has
now passed away, we hope to re-
turn no more.
We are ready to bury the past,
and to work for the future peace
and prosperity of our afflicted
State. We abide by the Consti-
tuition Of the United States, as it
stands amended, in good faith.
We will honestly protect and de-
fend the colored race in Louisi-
lana IN all their constitutional,
civil and political rights; and we
will submit to nothing shor5 of
that for the white man, as far as
State authority is concerned.
We demand THAT the voters of
this State, white and colored, in
the future elections have an I'M
restrained privilege of voting for
the men whom they desire to fill
offices of the State. In the name
of the people we demand that
they shall not be bound by rotten
.cauctlses and Intriguing politi-
clans to vote for dishonest men,
and that wicked and oppressive
laws shall not cheat majorities
out of officers whom they honestly
elect, and that minority candi-
dates shall not fill the offices of
the State. We appeal to the hon
est men of the North and of the
world to say whether our demands
and our objects are just and legal.
We appeal to honest men of all
parties and nationalities to give
us their support SO far as we act
upon just principles and no fur
Their. Our object is TO redeem
Louisiana from the control Of cor
rupt men by clearing the way for
honest men, to give honest votes
for honest candidates for Office
Whether we accomplish our OBJ
ject or not, we viii make strong
and united effort for an honorable
victory over the enemies of the
best interests of the State; and if
trUA men of all I1s3rtit 1St and all col