New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-09-27
PARISH OF ST. 1rAMMANY
IMMENSE REPUBLICAN GATHERING
DEMOCRATIC CONVERTS


RATIO CO ONVERTs
On Saturday morning at eight o'clock thu
starlnch little steamer Abita, Captain Miller
left the Lake End Of the Ponchartrain rail
road, carrying large party Of Republicans
bound for Covington, parish of St. Tam
many, to attend Republican mass meeting
and barbecue
Among the excursionists were Colone
James F. Casey, collector Of the port Of
New Orleans; General j. H. $ypher, Repub
lican nominee for Congress- for the First
Congressional District of louisiana; Gen
eral George A. Sheridan, Hon. T. w. Con
way. DIR. M. A. SOuthwOrth, Hon. H. l.
Rey, State Assessor for the Third District
Hon. D. Douglas, Messrs. A. Chevelon
Joseph Peters, Joseph William ms, E. Thezan
Samuel Carter, William Buffin, J. Theodore
Joseph Victor, Octave Rock, and others
The party was accompanied by Kelly's Re-
publican Brass Band, of thirteen pieces.
There was fresh breeze Blowing as the
Abita steamed across the lake, making the
voyage rather more exciting than trip on
the raging canawl," while the popular
captain, and the polite clerk, Mr.. J. H
Smith. did every thing possible for the com
fort of the passengers, and the brass band
enlivened the way with excellent music.
The boat did not touch at the usual stop
ping places, but steamed rapidly up the
Tchefuncta, and shortly after eleven O'Clock
arrived at the lower landing, some six
miles from Covington by the river. num-
ber of vehicles were there waiting to con
vey the party to the scene of the days
business, which was soon reached by a
pleasant drive through the woods, and
there gratifying sight was presented.
AL among the tall pine trees were groups
of people clad in holiday garb, all in eager
expectation. A large platform had been
erected, above which the stars and stripes
proudly waved, the front displaying the
banner of the Wide Awake Club and
another banner. which locke d as if it might
have done service in the last presidential
campaign. Green wreaths were hung all
around, and at a short distance was a capa-
cious table laden with an abundance which
promised that none should go hungry away.
Seats had been arranged for spectators, and
these were already filed. Hundreds were
standing around, and numerous vehicles
were near. containing spectators who had
come from a distance. Horses and mules
were tied to trees, and the whole preFara-
tions gave evidence that there would be a
can party.
One Of the leading men of the Republi-
cans in St. Tammany, Judge Hiram Newell,
had made preparations to receive the party
from New Orleans; although at present the
Judge is suffering from intirm health, he was,
however, actively engaged on the ground
in company with other prominent gentle
men of the Republican party. Among
other visitors we noticed Major Dumas and
family.
As soon as the party from New Orleans
had reached the ground, and the band had
regaled the country folks with such music
as they do not often hear, the meeting was
called to order by Mr.. Bosque, who pro-
posed Hon. John Hutchinson as chairman,
and that gentleman was installed by accla-
nation.
Mr. Hutchinson introduced Hon. Thomas
w. Conway, who addressed the assembly
in an earnest speech, full Ot thought. The
speaker alluded to the great change that
had taken place, and compared the time
past when Republican manifestations in
country places were attended with danger
of personal violence to all who took part in
them, and the present time, when every
man was allowed to vindicate his views,
with none to make him afraid. Difficulties
which had beset the Republican party in
the South. were fast disapp earring, and un-
der Providence its success was certain.
Success meant law, order, equal rights to
all, abundant and well remnnerated labor
Above ALL it meant universal education, the
basis of all public and priva tie good. There
were already more schools i'll Louisiana
than ever there had been before, and a
larger available school fund than ever had
existed before the success of the Republican
party meant the increase Of the means Of
education to the utmost extent, free to all.
The second speaker was Mr.. j. Williams.
This is the cOlored orator who, it is said by
Democratic papers, had been retained by
the opponents of Republicanisn. The
telling speech made on this occasion, and
listened to with eager interest by the
colored people on the ground, showed how
false this Democratic assertion had been.
Mr.. w. r. Miller next addressed the
meeting in speech replete with fOrcible
reason and happy illustration. The speaker
showed that the principles of the Republi-
can party were founded, not ON unreasOning
fanatcism, but on inevitable human pro-
gress. Progress coeval with the creation Of
man, and always moving on with force
that no human tyranny, no despOtic at
tempts to perpetuate political cast, could
resist.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Miller's address,
General George A. Sheridan took the stand.
General Sheridan spoke at great length,
touching on a variety of sui ubjects connected
with the great questions OF the day, with
the pacifcatiOn and consequent develop
ment of the great Southern country and its
vast resources. He showed how those re-
sources had been retarded for generations
BY blinded fanaticism. seeking to disguise
itself under the cloak of sectional feeling
(miscalled patriOtism), and their already
great development under the enlightened
Republican rule, that gave to all men the
right to liberty and citizenship, affOrdlng
them that great motive to eXertiOn, the alb
sOlute security by law OF the fruits OF their
labor.
General Sheridan made allusion to the
class of citizens more recently settled in the
South, whom it was attempted to stigmati1e
under the name of carpet-baggers. He
claimed that every citizen Of the United
States had the right to make his home in
any portion of the common country, right
guaranteed by the constitution Of the coun-
try-a constitution constantly appealed to
by the Democratic party, and as constantly
violated by that party whenever it suited
their purpose to do 80. The orator spoke OF
the claim made by Democratic speakers that
the democrats were the true friends of the
colored race. and that the Republicans had
done them only injury. Had the ReEAbli-
can party injured the colored men when, in
ization Of ony more slave territory! Had