The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-08-24

r1oss AND RECOMMENDATIONS H E
LOUISIANA LEGION ON THE CARPET
IowELL's BLAsPHEMY.
Yesterday was the fourth and last
a.v of the State Radical Nominating
Convention, the gathering adiourning
s;ne die little before O'clock in the
afteruoon, after a session of nearly four
Lonrs, As soon as the Convention was
nolled to order, at o few minutes after
10 Mr.. Lowell, the Postmaster OF this
a;ty. as Chairman of the Committee on
Rssolutions, presented a series of re-
snIves as the platform of the party for
the campaign this fall. The only fea-
.nre iu the platform that is of general
;uterest is a resolution which may be
;;nnternreted as pledge that the white
and black races shall be mixed in the
nnblic schools, and that social equal
ityn shall prevail in every public house
and on steamboats, and railroads. The
nJatform was adopted without any OBJ
lection.
Mr.. Lowell then presented another
resolution which the committee, he
said. did not think proper to incorpo-
rate in the platform, and which was
returned to the Convention for its ac-
fion. This resolution, in effect, declar-
ed that the provision of the censtitu
lion referring to the rights of colored
men to equality with whites in travel
ing. and in all places of public enter
tainment, and the laws passed to carry
out that provision of the Constitution
had not been carried out; that the fail
ure to do so was breach of faith to
the colored population, and that the
Governor be requested to sign the bill
passed at the last session OF the Legis-
iature, which is known as Isabelle's
BILL" and which would have proprie-
tors of places of public entertainment
brought summarily before Recorders OF
justices of the peace, and punished by
fines and imprisonments, if they refus-
cd to admit colored men into their
houses and entertain them.
Several colored members spoke on
the resolution, all advocating it, and
complaining of the Governor for with
holding his signature. They urged
that the Constitution of 1868 promised
them remedies for the refusal of their
rights and that now in 1870 they were
no better off than they were in 1868.
THE sKIRMIsHING.
Surveyor General Lynch thought the
introduction of the resolution imperti-
mt. The bill was not before the con-
yention; the Governor might have con-
stitutional objections TO it, and it was
not within the province of the conyen-
ton to demand his objections or to
pass upon them that was for the Leg
islature to do. ~
The colored members replied that
the provision of the Constitution was a
dead letter, and declared that unless
steps were taken to satisfy their de-
mands rupture was inevitable, and
the success of the party at the coming
election would be inperilled. Said
one of these speakers. "Give us a
law to protect us in our rights, and we
will deferd those rights at all hazards
The Federal Government will assist
us, and we will fight for our rights and
our hearths. The sooner the trial is
made the better.o Another said, pith.
lily enough: "This is strange. We arc
not asking Democrats to give us oul
rights, but we see one class of Repubii.
cans forced to ask another class of Re
publicans for their rights. We are no
asking Democratic Governor, but W.
have to request white Republican
Governor to give cslored men thei
rights. / am reminded of the Revoln
tionary orator who said, we ask 70
peace, peace, and there is no peace
So with the colored; they ask for pro
lection, protection, and there is no pro
lection. If the colored people have n
right to ask for this, they have no rigll
to be Republicans"
Mr.. III. r. Steele deprecated the ag
tation of this matter in the Convention
He did not know how to vote OH tn
resolution, but if compelled to vote /
should vote against it, because he ha
never seen the Isabelle bill and di
not know what objections might
made to it. .r-.-s-
United States Marshal Packard urs
ed the passage of the resolution, col
sidering the coIored people entitled
the protection secured to them by I'll
Isabelle bill.
Up to this time the discussion ha
been conducted with moderation. TIL
colored members occasionally spok
heatedly, but their speeches were d.
corous, and it is honestly due to thel
to say that they showed themselvs
ADLER in debate and more fluent
speech than the white arpet-bagge,
and scalawags whom they encounter
ed. Presently the scene change,
when the leaders of the two factor
came in collision, and those billing
gate champions opened
THE BATTLE.
Gov. Warmorth was the first to 81
his hat into the ring. From all tn
had been said, it might be thought,
observed, that he and he only proven
ed coiored men from being treated
the equals of whites on railroads ar
steamboats,, in hotels, balls, BARRON
and theatres. The resolution he T,
garded as reflection upon him as
Republican and as Governor. +
would explain his objections to Il
Isabelle bill to the Legislature when
met, and if those objections were n
satisfactory the bill could be passt
over his veto. "Ifmy signature won
accomplish all that is expected fro
the bill }" he said, &" would sign it t
day, but there are questions involve
in the bill that NAV come before ii