The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-06-29

WASHINGTON, June 24.-The Demo
cratic Senators and members of Con-
gress in caucus agreed upon the follow
ing address, which was to dav signed
! In our Fellow Citizens of the United
States! Friends of constitutional,
economical and honest government
The undersigned beg leave to call
your attention to the peculiar impor-
lance of the elections which take place
this year, and respectfully to submit
some suggestions for your considera-
ton. By the State Legislatures to he
elected, nearly one-third of the United
States Senate will be chosen, and near
/! ly all members of the next House OF
Representative are to be elected next
fall. Upon the coming election, then
depends the question of whether the
Democratic and Conservative element
in the Senate shall be increased, and
whether that element shall have a ma
jority in the House of Representatives
and as consequence, whether we shall
have q constitutional, economical and
honest government, or continuance OF
revolutionary, extrayagant and waste
full partisan rule whether we shall
have a general, unifom, just and con-
stitutional legislation, with reasonable
taxation and frugal expenditures OF
unconstitutional, partial and unjust
class legislation, with oppressive and
unequal taxation and wasteful expen-
ditures.
That we have strong reasons to hope
for favorable result is plainly appa-
rent. The elections already held clear
ly show that the tide of reform has sci
in with a power that cannot be resist
ed if no blunders be committed by the
friends of reform. If they do their du-
ty and act wisely-if they throw off all
apathy and act with vigor and stead
fastness, there is every reason to hope
their efforts will be rewarded by sue
cess.
Let there be no Discussions about
minor matters no time lost in the dis
cussion of dead issues; no manifesto
ton of narrow, or proscriptive feeling
no sacrifice of the cause to crafty per.
sonal ambition or resentment, and lei
the best man be chosen for capdidate
and we may hope to see our country
redeemed from misrule; and in this
connection we beg leave tolay warn.
ing to our fellow-c citizens of the South
ern States. Do not risk the loss O
Senators or Representative by electlns
men who cannot take the test oath, o.
who are under. the disability imposed
by the fifteenth amendment. Whatev
er may be said of the validity of tina
amendment, or OF the test oath act, vol
may rest assured that Senators elected
by the votes ofmembers ofLegislature
who arc held by the Radicals to be thu
disqualified, will not be permitted tt
take their seats, and that members o
the House of Representatives thus dis
qualified will also be excluded.
1t is the plainest dictate of practica
wisdom not to incur any such risks
and we hope soon TO see the day whel
all disabilities will be removed; but il
the meantime, do not, we entreat you
lose the opportunity to strengthen tn
Democratic and Conservative force il
Congress, and the possibility-nay
probability of obtaining majority i
the next House of Representatives, b
putting it in the power of our adverse
ries to overthrow or disregard you
elections.
Signed by all the Democratic Sena
tors and members in Congress.
: A HEAUTIFUI, Co,JpI n