The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-09-07
DEMOCRATIC MASS MEETING.

Pursuant to call for a Mass Meet
ing of the Democratic and Conserva-
tive voters of Rapides, the same assem-
bled at the Court House in Alexandria
on the Sd day of September, 1o7O.-
The meeting was temporarily organ
lied by the Hon. w. L. Sanford, upon
whose motion the meeting was perma-
nently organized by the Hon. L. E.
Texada being unanimously chosen
President, and on motion of DIR. Smart
the following gentlemen as Vice-Presl-
dents: Hon. w. L. Sanford, General
NJ. Wells, NJ. Paul, J. L. Walker, >. X.
Andrews, w. w. Wilmington, ST. and
R. C. Hynson, and Hen1y A. Boyce and
w. j. Calvit, Secretaries.
On motion of VIM. A. seay,
Resolved, That the President ap-
point committee of five to draft reso-
| lutions for the future guidance OF the
Democratic Party in Rapides where
upon the President appointed on the
committee Messrs. w. A. Seay, r. A.
Hunter, ]. C. Wise, John A. Williams
and Powhatan Clarke. While the
committee were consulting, on motion
of CAPTAIN J. G. White, Robt. ?, Hun
fer was invited to address the meeting,
and his happy remarks were well re-
ceived. w. w. Wilmington, Jr. then
responded to call of the, meeting and
did credit to the great principles lie
advocates and cherishes. On motion
Of w. l.. Sanford the Hon. NJ. Ryan
, was invited to address the meeting,
and his remarks, teeming with elO-
ouence and pure patriotism, were char
acteristic of his superior talent and fine
powers of oratory.
w. A. seay, chairman of the COM
mittee, then submitted the following
Preamble and Resolutions expressive
of the views and intentions of the De-
mocracy of Rapides, which were read
separately and unanimously adopted
l The Democracy of the Parish, OF
! Rapides, reposing on the virtue, intel
: ligence and patriotism Of the people,
: proclaims itself in harmony with the
f. great Democratic party of the Union
and is ready to enter upon another
j., contest in defence of the time-honorec
!. principles of the party. We view VIII
I, 70 IF n
= lous sectional party, which, having
control of all the departments OF tn
General Government, has brought tn
Republic to the verge Of destruction
A strong centralized government, which
+" the fathers of American Democracy S
o much dreaded, is in rapid process
N establishment. An enormous, uncon
le stitutional taxation is destroying tn
ot wealth of all classes alike. A hig
protective tariff is enriching the manu-
70 facturers of New England at the ez
H. pense of the producers of every otht
in section Of the country. The tools
:, this party have been entrusted wit
- the government of the Southern State
~ contrary to the will of the people their
ne of. in every one of which Ignoranc
Venality and Oppression reign 81
preme. In Louisiana, Radical tyra7
IA ny and corruption, in the shape OF emo
nous taxation, registration bills, ele
'n' ton bills, militia bills, and other gu
~ rageous legislation, are destroying Il
~ resources and Gripping the energies
the people of our beautiful State.
- oppose the further success of this pa
VI ty the Democracy calls on all Conse
q" yative citizens, of whatever former 2
IN litical creed, to cooperate with
~ Democratic organization, as atfordi
~, the only means of accomplishing
AL objects so much desired by all.
y, Be it, therefore, resolued by the L
JUS mocracy of the Parish of Rapides,
l"' Mass Meeting assembled, that we
40 dorse the principles announced in
"" address recently issued by the Den
e. cratic State Central Committee of Ii
the
isiana.
' Resolued, That we recognize now
heretofore the Importance of a ST.
+ adherence to the principles on VIII
! the government of the United Sta
not was originally founded, as the O.
.o,. means of preserving the rights OF
eeA people, as well as the only true me
:" of perpetuating the Union of the Sta
ell RESOLVED, That each State has
NE right to regulate for herself the q
iful ton of suffrage and that the denia
und this right would not only be dest'
nd, tive of free government in the ST
f. but must ultimately destroy the u
itself.
ince RESOLVED, That we have an abb
$ of faith IN Democratic institutions,
the we hope and believe that at no dis
Fed day the proper Interpretation OF
the system of government will be rest
cles, and the rights of the people prote
xico and respected.
sew Resolved, That while we yield
op9- dience to the powers that now col
cor ~, nc, 49,, of o,,c n ovarnmant and