The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1870-03-19
ADDRESS,.
OF the German Political Reform Asso-
citation.
to- OUR FELLOW CITIZENS.

In order to remove and dispel the mis-
conceptions which exist, and the errone-
Gus impressions which are circulated,
hrouph ignorance or malice, for the purpose
of perverting the avowed objects of the
sherman Political Reform Association"
this body places itself clearly and fairly
before those interested in the welfare Of
our city and State, and without equivo-
cation or reserve submits to the people
ofNey Orleans and Of Loni ,iana, in addi-
ton to, and for the further exposition of the
platform and constitution already published,
the following explanations:
|. Our organization is not a political
party, but simply an association of citizens
as it's name implies, uniting their efforts
and their inhuenc for the purpose of
bringing about a reform in the administra-
ton of our parish, municipal and State
Governments, and to endravor at the next
and at all subsequent elections, forever to
close the halls Of Legislation, the bureau
of State and city government, and the tenn
pies Of Justice, as:inst those who are cor
rupt, incompetent and INSCRIPTIONS, and to
D them to those who are just, honorable
and abb, irrespective of party politics; to
demand "a Just division and impartial col
lection of taxes-The rich Spectator, the
big merchant, the powerful corporation
shall not be permitted to remain in arrears,
while the retailer, the poor middle, man, is
compelled to pay or suffer the injury and
disgrace of sherifs sale.
,. This reform is sought to be effected
by eschewing "party politics from our
local atfairs-~triking the words Demo
crat" or Republican y from the list OF
qualifications for local Or State Offices as
meanirg less and Insignificant, and recogniz-
ing no claims or qualifications to office but
such as are based upon personal merit, hon.
estyfand worth.
5. The German Political Reform AS.
ISOLATION" denies in unqualified terms the
charge brought against it, of attempting to
create a .German Party /" national and ex
| elusive: it has no other object but those
already expressed, and is German " only
for the purpose Of uniting the German pop,
ulat,on on the side of the Reform, when.
ever and under whatever standard it may
appear.
4. The "German Political Return Asso
citation y does indeed hope and desire, and il
will be one of its objects, that a Union o
all good citizens, a "Party,"ifi it so pleas
es, Shall be created, which will adopt the
plan and platform of this association.
1t is for this purpose that these explana
| tons are made, 'ta convince the citizens o
New Orleans that we propose to built on
liberal and extensive basis, and "to MAKE
our wanting true" We respectfully invite
participation in our movement, and sug
eest the formation of cooperative organi
cations among all classes Of citizens.
Why do not those good and well-dis
posed citizens, who favored the intention!
of the Tax, payers Association, come for
ward and act with Us! Our aims ar
identical, our interests.the anne We de
sire ,rosperity-so do you.
We do nothing as Germans-eVerythlns
as your fellow citizens.
We desire to preserve the honor, tn
welfare, the reputation of our State ant
city. Every true citizen can want nothing
less.
We wish to securesa faithful and econom
ieal government whose nest sacred ohjec
shall be to render the people happy ant
confented, strong in their faith and hopefi
with the assurance OF CONTINUED prosperit,
and surely no good man and citizen vii
hesitate to give his support to an Under
taking which promises SO much god.
Fifth, and lastly, il is particularly un
derstood that no member OF the "heforn
association will be be in any maine
compromised as to bis national and fedora
politics.
Such are u principles. our aims gu
objects. But we do not believe o~tirselse
able to accomplish them without the SIT
port Of every good citizen.
we appeal thsrSors, to the whole popu