Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-28
ADDRESS
Republican State Central Committee Of
LOU Isl N A.
Rooms REPUBLICAN STATE
CENTRAL COMMITTEE,
New Orleans, Dec. %, 1871. !
OF THE

Rooms REPUBLICAN, STATE
| CENTRAL COMMITTEE, :
New Orleans, Dec. %, 1871.
To the Republicans of Louisiana:
The gratifying intelligence received
from all parts of the State of the
unanimous Endorsement of the action
of the Senate in the recent election fol
Lieutenant Governor, induces this
COMMITTEES to present to you a resume
of the facts precedent thereto:
During the two campaigns of 1870
a few ambitious men, principally fed
eral officeholders, organized boiling
faction in our ranks. Notwithstand-
ing an overwhelming defeat, these dis-
sentionists, determined to "rule or
ruin" industriously sought to spread
discomfort by asserting that the policy
of the State administration would be
to exclude from Office every colored
man, and gradually transfer the gov
ernment to the control of the Democ-
racy. Unfortunately. the boilers OBJ
tanned control of the late State Central
Committee, and under their auspices
convention was called to meet in
New Orleans in August last. It is,
perhaps, needless to recur to the out
RACES then and there perpetrated.
This so-called convention met in the
federal Customhouse, outside the ju-
risdiction of Louisiana the legally
elected representatives of the people
we're excluded by armed federal deputy
marshals and federal troops, and a
bogus organization effected, although
not quorum was present until six
teen additional bogus delegates, prin-
cipally federal employees, were ap-
pointed, on motion of federal office
holder, to fill the places of excluded
regularly chosen members.
These gross usurpations necessitated
the holding of the Republican con-
vention at Turner Hall, not a secret
conclave. guarded by armed sentinels,
but open and free to the whole peo-
pie. The proceedings of that conven-
ton were scattered broadcast, and
everywhere met the full and hearty
appreciation of Republicans at home
and throughout the nation.
Coming to the next scene in this
political drama. The outcry against
the State administration was vigor-
ously maintained by the factionists,
but how much truth there was in the
charges of antagonism to the colored
people, and secret affiliation with the
Democracy, can best be determined
by the events of the sixth of Decem-
Der. Upon both parties a practical
test of their sincerity was suddenly
and unexpectedly forced. The lament
able death of Oscar James Dunn cre-
ated a vacancy in constitutional office,
to fill which the State Senate was con.
vened. The cloven foot of treason
could no longer be hidden. Their
mask of deceit and dissimulation was
ruthlessly torn away, aud the boilers
evhinited in their true colors. One OF
the foremost colored men of the coun-
try-one exceptional devoted to his
race and advanced Republicanism-
became the candidate of the party fol
the vacant Lieutenant Governorship,
and received the earnest support oi
the State administration. while the
Customhouse faction, to defeat him,
and further their secret aim to irrevo.
cably divide the Republican party,
boldly entered into league with the
Democrats, who, true to their pro
scriptive prejudices, exacted (the only
qualification they demanded) thai
their candidate should be a rhite man.
The traditions and platform of tht
Republican party of Louisiana pledged
its adherents to can equal distribu
ton among white and colored alike o
all Offices"
This the boilers deliberately ig
nored, thereby betraying the claim
of ninety thousand Republican voters
and exhibiting treachery unparal
leled in the history of political organi
cations. The Customhouse factiol
even resorted to threats to intimidat
Senators, as in the case of Senate
Butler, of Plaquemines parish. Th
federal Marshal, s. B. Packard, as
serted to him that the State would b
put under martial law if the coalition
of which he is a leader did not win i
the contest. How abased they feel q
. the fruitless results of all their treach
erous and nefarious plottings we hav
no means of Judging, but the bes
commentary that can be given on thi
contest of Loyalty VS.. Treason is COZ
! tanned in the vote which gave to th
Rennhlican party q olorioua victor