New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-11-04
MASS MEETING IN ALGIERS
GALA NIGHT ACROSS THE RIVER

the right bank OF the river exhibited an as
pect Of unusual excitement. On every
street could be seen stalwart men, bearing
lanterns, proceeding, toward the meeting
room of the Republican club. Up the front
street passed a constant stream OF vehicles
| of all descriptions carts. plantation
| wagons, old family carriages, some two
wheeled, some with four--drawn by all sorts
of teams, filled with happy people of all
! ages and both sexes and accompanied by
| scores of equestrians, coming from miles
! down the coast to attend the mass meeting
! in Algiers. The emissaries Of the Christian
| Republican Association had been devoting
all their energies during the week to pre-
| vent the attendance of these very people,
| but evidently their efforts had met with
| but little success.
At about seven o'clock kelly's Custom
| house band came across the river, and
escorted by detachment Of torch-bearers,
| marched to the club house. As they passed
| down the street it was amusing to witness
| the conduct of some Of the unreconstructed.
As soon as they became aware that the
elegant music they were listening to came
| from the Republican band, they rushed into
| their houses. closed their doors in frantic
haste, and took refuge not out OF ear-sh0t.
but behind their half-closed window blinds,
| fair example OF curiosity predomlnatlnS
over petty spite.
Upon the arrival of the band at the club
house. procession was formed. which
marched through the principal streets to
the place of meeting. First came the-lron
clads fine looking body of men, in zouave
uniform. commanded by Captain Brunei, of
the Third Regiment Louisiana militia: then
came the Algiers Radical Republican club,
and following large concourse OF citizens.
All carried torches and several elegant
flags. banners and transparencies were borne
in line.
The place OF meeting was large open
lot on Peter street, about three squares
from the Canal street ferry landing. A
large and substantial platform had been
erected, decorated most tastily with torches,
Chinese lanterns, flags banners and ever
green's. At several locations large bontires
had been built. The admirable character of
the arrangements, and the good taste dis
played in the decorations reflect great credit
upon Messrs. Loan. Dumont and the other
gentlemen having the affair in charge.
The meeting was called to order by Re-
corder Dumont, President of the Algiers
Republican Club, who moved that Captain
William +. Loan act as chairman, which
was heartily ratified by all present. Upon
taking the chair. Captain Loan made IA
brief address Of thanks, after which, the
following list of Vice Presidents was read
and unanimously approved, viz: Messrs.
George Gracien, j. NJ. Tomiinson, Oscar
Elmore. Charles Hill. Oscar Pilman. James
+. Aver, Z. j. Brunei. Titus Burns. Samuel
Green. and Arthur Anderson. Secretary.
I. w. Deklyne.
The following resolutions were then read
and adopted
BE itresolred. That we, the Republicans of
Algiers, i'll mass meeting assembled. do
hereby pledge ourselves TO support the reg
ular nominees of the Republican party, and
TO frown down all who attempt to disrupt
our party by outside pickering or discon1
tent be it further
RcsOlrcd, That we Endorse and will sus,
tain the national and State ADMINISTRATION
in all their endeavors to preserve order and
to uphold the dignity of the government.
The chairman then introduced to the
meeting Honorable I. w. Conway. who
was enthusiastically received. He made a
long and able exposition OF the principles
of the Republican party. and of the falla
cies of its opponent, the Democracy. He
claimed that the Republican party was the
friend of the poor and oppressed OF all
rule was paralleled the proud boast of the
English. that when a Slave breathes the
free air of England the shackles
drop from his limbs and he is a slave
no longer. The Democratic party was
the party of slavery. and when slavery
went to its unhallowed tomb, "unwept,
unhonored and unsung. the party went
with it. That party was dead, and it only
remained to the Rrpublicans to give it
In bc,
adverted to the Christian Republican As
sociation, telling of a conversation he had
with Jew member Of that delcctabe
clique, who told him that they had assumed
the title Of Christian TO humbug the preach
crs and the churches. Mx Conway's address
was greatly applallded. aud after selec-
zion by the band, Mr.. j. K. G.. Pitkin was
introduced by the chairman.
To the speech of Mr.. Pitkin, it is impossi-
bic to render justice in the necessarily
limited space OF a newspaper report The
powerful argument. brilliant metaphor.
deep earnestness and flashing badnage OF
the address, combined with the graceful
delivery of the accomplished speaker.
would have won even brighter laurels in
the lecture hall than on the hustings. 1t
was matter of regret to all that the gen
tleman had not among his audience the re-
fined and educated portion OF the Demo-
cratic party. all feeling assured that an
effect would be produced upon them, power
full for the best interests Of Rcpublicanism.
He spoke of the first martyr Of the revO-
luton, Crispus Attucks, the colored man of
Boston; how the SNOWFALL that he threw
at the British soldier, and for which he paid
the penalty of his life, swellcd into the |
mighty avalanche that destroyed the ,
British armies, and made new nation. |
Crispus Attucks did not die. When, in the |
rebellion, the colored soldier stood in two |
front of the battle, when the cOntraband |
piloted the Union refugees through the for |
ests and swamps, there went Crlspus |!
Attucks; and to-day. when the vast armies |
of freemen march to the ballot-box. III their |
van goes the free spirit OF the colored mar
tyr of the revolution.
He spoke of the Importance OF voting |
Alright misused ballot is gun that re- |
coils upon him who fire, it. He said the |
Democratic party regarded the constitution |
as a locomotive. for which no rails were to- |
be laid. no fuel expended. 1t was to stand
exposed to the sun, and the rain and the !
dew. to rust away IN ldleness. But we
propose to build roads. 70 furnish oil. and /
fuel, and tallow, to run /, IL accordance
with the progressive spirit ot the age, ana
if it breaks, we car amend II. as We have
done fifteen times before.
Tpon the conclusion of his brilliant
speech, Mr.. Pitkin was heartily cheertd by |
his audience, and warmly congratulated by
ali in his immediate vicinity
He was succeeded by Mayor Flanders.
who made practical. sensible speech, I'M
pressing upon his hearers how directly they
we're interested in an honest, economical All
ninistration of the government, and snow
ne them how they paid the taxes without
,eing presented with the bills. lie urged
hem to vote only for such men as they we're
4 interests.