Semi-weekly Louisianian., 1871-11-16

will result in continual interference
with the local affairs of these States
and lessen the respect Of the nation
for local self-government.
Certainly the former alternative
is much to be preferred. think
ing man can doubt what will be the
result if the majority or even any
considerable portion OF the Sruth-
ern people persistently refuse to re-
cognize the exact state Ofthis ques-
ton. It will not do for the South
to go on wasting ats energies in
useless efforts to preserve as much
of the old system as possible ,.nd to
keep up that confusion in The work
ings Of this question which is now
so apparent everywhere. We :nusr
have just reciprocity between
capital sud labor. Labor must not
attempt to wrong capital neither
must capital attempt to deprive
labor of its just reward.
There are serious consequences in
volved in the proper adjustment OF
this question, and they come home
to US with more than ordinary force
from the fact that the greater par.
Of our people are laborers, and We
should demand of the Southern peo-
pie, i'll view of the two hundre,, and
forty years Of unrequited toll; in
view of the patient endurance of n
people deprived of their natural
rights; in view OF their unax Uni l,led
forbearance in the late strugyl,,
when they might have lighted u
tho towns and cities Of the Sout;.
aud spread desolntion and ruin eve
rywhere, thnt they shall now deal
justly with our people. We hope
1t from their wisdorn; We expect 1t
from their policy; We claim 1t from
their justice; we demand it from
their gratitude.
Another vital element in this new
order Of things is
AN CNTRANMELYD BALLOT.
Liberty is the grand cornerstone
of our new social structure, ami
where there is no free ballot there
is no liberty.
The heretofore oligarchial tenden-
" OF Southern institutions has left
y sentiment in the minds Of the peo-
pie, which. to Say the least is not
very favorable TO free ballot. When
10 this We add the animosities and
iesentInents engendersd by the late
struggle. the task Of securing I'LL un-
trammeled ballot i'll The South be-
comes complicated and extremel,
difficult. But the case is pressing
and the difficulties must be met anU
overcome. For. deny it as often
and AS vshemently rs they may, II
Is fact, nevertheless, that in some
Localities in the South such thing
AS fres ballot is unknown. In ma
ny cases men are compelled to vote
against their convictions, and in
some instances they are driven from
the polls and not allowed to vote a;
oil. How ire tn, Sc tn ngs to be reme-
died? Paper cannot do it. Parch-
men: vii not do it. Mere legisla-
tive bodies will not do it.
Already we have laws enough upon
the statute book t, protect the citizen
in the enjoyment of every right. Bnt
laws are powerless in the face Of pub
lie sentiment. We must SEEK other
means for the accomplishment OF this
object. We must invoke the moral
senti aent of the people of the south.
Do You say that this a tremendous
undertaking? answer, there are tre-
mendous issues involved. Have faith
then and hesitate not to employ NOR
al agencies.
For these, like divine promises when
properly understood and applied will
meet every case Of difficulty and
distress We must impress upon the |
southern mind the fact that the time
has passed when oigarchies and
aristocracies and caste could here rule.
Tell them that We live in An era
when freedom Of thought, freedom OF
action, and free ballot are esteemed
as the priceless heritage Of every man.
Tell them that ours is civilization
of which untrammeled liberty ,impar-
tisl outrage. and equal rights are the
elements.
And if we apply ourselves earn
estly to the task, who can say we
shall fail? To the bOatmau, who |
said it was impossible to brave the