The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1870-08-13


etfectuaEly the protection OF her lands
from overflow without the cooperation
Of the Federal Government, renders
Federal aid almost Indispensable.
Three Southern States are now appli-
cants to Congress to restore the ravageS
OF war by national aid. They ask ("
ma Ike the lcvecs Of the Mississippi Il
national work, with an appropriation OF
ten millions, to be expended under the
survey and superintendence of the Fede-
raj Government This appropria,io"
commcnds itself TO the Federal Goy,ru-
ment from the considerations thet it
tends to reduce the cost of GOTTEN and
sugar to the consumer, and relieves TN
charity Of the Government from the cost
OF supporting the freedmen. To IN,
great and dominant West it will iusuy,
home market for much Of its surplus
productions. The removal Of the uh
structiohs trou! the mouth Of the Mis>is
slppi commcnds itself by similar and ad-
dltional considerations. To carry thesr.
or such kindred measures as grants t
land to Southern railroads. and Of sui.
sides fer postal steam service from New
Orleans to foreign ports, will requi,,.
the aid OF congressional representatives.
with regard to their antecedent condi-
ton or present abstract opinions. Tn
der the present political organizations
Louisiana has not succeeded in obtain
ing competent representation upon these
great interests. Those whom she has
chosen having been rejected upon the
nh'ounded llnputation Of having exc!l-
ded colored voters from the polls,
Louisiana has scarcely a Democratic
representative on the floor of Conorces.
Nothing, indeed, sec1as necessary to
secure Republican candidate seat in
Congress except to secure in advance
Democratic competitor
State Issues for State Interests.
Under this state of facts can he
State Of Louisiana be reproached for
proposing precisely that which tr<
been done by oth~r States? Can SIZE
not without dishonor, follow the ex-
ample OF Virginia, the Carolinas New
ork, Connecticut and Ohio, and con.
fine her State issues to State Interests.
This would seem the last vestiee OF
State rights. When our only possible
allies have postponed our welfare to
their own success, should Louisiana
hesitate to organise home guard tor
her own protcction2 Shall we be
blamed for trying to take care of o,n-
selves when all around us seem moved
by the same laudable motives
1t is upon this argument and eviaeace
that we base an appeal to orr consti:a-
ents:
People of Louisiana!
You should leave national politics 10
national organisations. Address your
selves to secure a just and efficient ad-
ministration of your public offices,
State and Federal. Give to all colored
people within your limits assurance that
you will recognise and if possible de-
fend their political rights. Recogniseno no
issue in the ensuing elections save tlrosc
which are vital to the honor and inter-
ests of Louisiana. Offer no intcrvan-
ton i'll the domestic affairs of other
States, and allow no outside dictation or
Intervention in your own. Adopt an
immediate organisation in every parish
district and community, on the basis
and rules of action given you by the
Peoples party. Report at once to the
Central State Commissioners for infor-
nation, instruction or assistance, and
rely that those who have been entrusted
with conducting the movement will
spare no labor and shrink from no res
possibility to make it effectnal.
BY instant, energetic and persevering
action you may consolidate a power
which will secure the election of honest
and efficient State officers and a respon~
sible Legislature. You may also secure
reduced taxation improved social order,
and the restored confidence between
capital and labor; with these you may
expect some Federal reparation Of the
damages OF war and the removal of natu-
raj obstacles to your commerce with
the world. -.--. ~ .--..>
With such results you may we'll leave
to natural principles the adjustment and
of such a platform of ma
tlonal principles as will enable YOU to
decide at proper time whether it be
consistent with the honor and the in
terest of Louisiana to give it your sup
port. In the meantime the Peoples
party of Louisiana will continue' its
efforts in favor Of Reunion and Reform
upon the basis of principle and the line
of action which has been heretofore and
herein indicated. .,... .> .......
JHAs. A. BREAux, VIM. M. BuRwELL,
D. BENNETT, G. WARD,
E. LEFRANC, E. Norris CULLoM
T. BAILY BLANCHARD.