New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-06-26
THE MAR0H OF RECONSTRUCTION.

THE MARCH OF RECONSTRUCTION.
| There is much in the recent visit o
Governor Warmoth and many Of ou
prominent citizens to the capital of
neighboring State, so fully and accurately
reported in the REPUBLICAN,, that's calcu-
lated to inspire hope in the future. The
felicitous interchange of sentiments and
patriotic feeling that took place between
the distinguished speakers who figured
there can not be misinterpreted. The
speeches were of the most friendly and
encouraging nature. They signify that
the great work of reconstruction, which
at first was necessarily slow and meas
ured movement, beset as it was by most
serious obstacles, is at length becoming
to be steady, rapid and triumphant pro-
g1ess in the essential work of re-establish-
ing governments that will not only be in
harmony with each other, but with
the general government established by the
people of the whole country. And recon-
struction in the Southern States means q
reformation in all matters that will i'm
prove the prosperity and happiness of the
people. A great reformation has been
consummated, in the labor system of the
South, and other Improvements are bound
to follow in the interest of all classes
but more particularly those of our people
engaged in agriculture and commerce.
And this brings us to the specific object of
the recent excursion to Mississippi, a most
interesting one to the people of both Louis
lana and Mississippi. MIR. h. S. Nc
Comb, the newly elected President of
the Board of Directors of the New Orleans,
Jackson and Great Northern Railroad, de-
string to examine the working condition
of the same, concluded to make the tlip
between here and Jackson. Knowing that
others besides himself felt deep interest
in the road, and feeling that it would have
q good effect to have number of our citi-
zens pay friendly visit. to the people of
Jackson, he conceived the generous idea
of getting up an excursion party to accom-
pany him on mission in which all should
be interested, and accordingly proceeded
to make arrangements whereby he
and his guests should have pleasant Trip,
and at the capital of an adjoining State
receive the kindly greeting of its governor
and friends. Mr.. McComb had the salts
faction of bringing Governor Alcorn and |
6 overnor Warmoth face to face, and no |
doubt listened with pleasure to their elo-
luent words inspired by the occasion. In |
lis welcome, Governor Alcorn says to
hose around him, and in the presence of |
lis visitors: 4" The object of our meeting,
gentlemen, is 10 do honor to those
distinguished gentlemen who are here in
he interest of the great railroad
and after extending his
Welcome in the broadest and warmest
ossible manner to Mr.. McComb and
he gentlemen who accompanied him, the
Governor periodically concludes:
But not only do we welcome you,
ut we offer you our congratulations
n the changed condition of affairs we are
low permitted to witness. The sound and
urnOil Of war have passed away, and we |
an meet now, though from different States,
8 citizens OF common country. We are
lad that we are permitted to receive the
isitation of his Excellency the Governor of
louisiana; we are glad that he is here to bid
in oF
hat good work which is now going
onward, and that SO successfully, snd
nth so much profit to all classes of the
eople of these States.
Gentlemen of the Legislature, this is the
rst time that we have been honored with
isit of the Governor of reconstructed
tate. Let us do ourselves the honor of re-
Giving him with that cordially which the
lerits of our guest and the occasion so pro-
itious and full of promise calls for.
Ipresent to you his Ezcellency, Governor
Varmoth, of the State of Louisiana.
The introduction of Governor Warmoth
,as marked by the most cordial manifesto
ions of respect and admiration on the
art of those whose duty it was to receive
i'm. His reception did not fail to arouse
, him the true spirit of eloquence aud
atriotism, though he mistrusted
is ability to find words adequatelto a
roper expression of the heartfelt feelings
hat would prompt thanks to those who
ad SO kindly honored him. He spoke
and, as if deeply impressed
nth the importance of the occasion, is re-
orted to have said:
We have come, gentlemen, not for speech.
laking, but we have come to see the condi.
ion of certain railroad property in which our
eople are interested, and to report to our
itiZens at home what that condition is. We
nd this property, gentlemen in condition
hitch will require great capital and great
nergy and skill to make it what it should
e, and to fill the conditions of irst-class
Dad. We believe that we have placed the
took and the capital in the hands of a COM
any which is determined to place that rail-
Dad in condition that will give satisfac-
ION to the people of our States. We have |
cen everywhere overwhelmed by the kind
ess and cordially with which we have
cen received in all parts of our travel. We
an congratulate you, if not on the actual
yet on the prospects of that road
4 which your State and mine have a com.
ION interest i,
We are glad, fellow. citizens of Mississippi,
hat you are back into our glorious Union,
nd that too under more propitious state
things than that which we have had to
ncounter in Louisiana. Those heart
urnings and deep.seated animosities that
II 80 long time embittered our very ex
tence, you have happily escaped. The
rouble is, that we got out of the Union too
Don and got back to it too quick. But
owever painful the attendant circumstan-
es we are back, and you we rejoice are
ack too, and we can join hands in the
reat and glorious work of reconstruction. |