The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1872-08-17
Gov WaTHROtEl's Speech before
the Liberal Convention.

a wait for the conference report now
cnsucd. The committee was out in pro-
cess OF negotiation with the opposing
parties. In the meantime cries for ia
vOrlte speakers rang through the house,
and Gov. WarmOth was brought to the
front.
Mr.. President, gentlemen OF the con
yentlOn and fellOw-citizenS-I thank you
Tor tins t1AtteTlng reception at your
hands. 1t is gratifying to me-, not only
as the representative OF Il great political
power i'll the State, but personally SO,
and as evidence to me that You do not
believe the lies and slAndersWhich have
been circulated against me. | have too
much respect for your intelligence and
the virtue OF the people whom You rep
resent to think you could entertain the
belief that [ am guilty of all these char
geS, for certainly did you believe them,
| could moi expect You would have ac-
corded me this reception.
| do not appear before o now to
make Il VindicatiOn of myself, for you
have higher considerations to discuss
than the truthftllness or fal9ty Of what
has been said about me. | will hereaf-
ter have the opportunity and the pleas
ure to meet You and the people Of this
State III the coming campaign, and then
| Will convince you, Ono and all, that
these accusations are us malicious as
they are false. Considering myself in
connection with this great movement, l
find that have been made the bugbear
to frighten the people from it. | am
prepared to declaim the falsehOod, to
vindicate myself and to vindicatG the
people.
The Liberal movement was instigated
by the necessity for another party than
that which has to this day failed to re-
deem the people from the corruption
ganize parties for glory, nor 20 to the
labor Of getting up a new party for the
mere name but this movement was be-
gun because the Democratic and Repub-
lican parties have been unable to relieve
the people. In view of this state Ofthings
it is necessary that honest men come to-
gether on an intermediate platform and
organize a new party to make IL common
fight under a common banner, to elect a
common ticket. Thousands would vote
for the Republican candidates simply
becauseth they are Republicans, and thOuS-
ands of Democrats would vote for their
candidates because they are Democrats.
BY removing the prejudices and feelings
which have separated them, you give
them Il common platform, and on that
they form Il unityOf hehonest elements
for the purposes of an honest govern
ment. | believe that this sentiment
beats strong within your breasts, and
finds q quick response from the people
Of the State, who want these principles
to endure. | believe that now there is
presented an opportunity to reconcile
the conflicting elements, and as | firmly
believe that such an opportunity for re-
Cancellation will never occur again, | be,
lieve this convention has the wisdom
the courage and the patriotism to see the
exigency, and to use all means at Their
command to bring ab0utth the accomplish
| ment of the desired end.
Let us indulge in no wOrdsof reprOacl
or acrimony; let us not say that these
gentlemen who are denOuncing and abu,
sing you and me and the party are wha-
they say we Ire Let lis rather say tina
they are mistaken. They will soon SEE
their mistake, and feel more heartily
ashamed OF what they have said than
though we denounced them.
For every mar in this State | have
nothing but feelings of kindness, an
Young, and | well know how easily TIN
| young are led away by their impulse
and enthusiasm to domuch which even
tually their better Judgment condemns
| I telIyOu it is easier to denOunce a MAJ
| out of existence than to prove him on
| of it.
However, we expect thatthese gentle
men will soon get off of their high horse
of Indignation, and then they will cOmt
down to facts. Thenit will not be enough
for them to indulgein denunciatiOn, bu
! they must not accuse us unlessthey have
| clean hands themselves. I may be res
pOnsible for much bad legislation, bu
how about the Democratic members O
the Legislature?
They say that under my administra
ton the debt Of the State and taxation
has been largely increased, but I vii
ask them was it not done by q largt
lmajority OF Democratic votes in boil
houses? | challenge them to show
single instance Of increase In taxation
that was not put III force by q vote o
both parties. Every monopoly they CT,
out against was createdby the solid vOt'
Of both Democrats and Republicans.
do not charge the Democrats with an.
crime. I simply say, "We have don
badly in the past; let us profit by on
experience, and do better IN the future.
All [ ask If the Democrats is that the.
will do mesimple justice, and charge m,
with that of which I am guilty. | an
responsible for enough, God knOwa.
do not start OutWith the proposition tina
I am one of the SAINTS, nVr do / admi
that they nre to be named in that cate
CORY either. Since our starting out W,
have all done wrong and made man.
mistakes. Let us take our lessons l.
heart, and do so no more.
[ want to feel thai / am one of yoD
tremendous and long continued cheer
incl, not that / have just become so, fG
I have been laboring hard five Bl0nths
working up the movement which ha
eliminated in this glorious convention
I would ask you IT, take my advice !
! this Only-in the construction Of Won
ticket not only select suoh men who's
svmnathies are with the best interests q
the State, but those who will best con
tribute to the success of your party.
have no ambition which will lie i
the way Of such an accomplishment, an
what I have before said / now repeat t
Won. "You have no honOrs to COME
which I can accept" [Cheers long con
tinued.1 -,-s 0-s.y.
The Governor retired on the presenC
of Mr.. Lawrence, of the conference com
mittee, being announced.
mfr. Lawrence stating that the pres
dent had sent to know how soon TIL
committee would report, begged leay
to say that the committee wasa at presen
in session with the committee OF mel
chants and would renort TO the conven
ton within an hOur.1
At the conclusion of Mr.. Lawrence
, remarks, the Governor was loudly caite
, for, and coming forward he continued.
don't remember just exactly what
was saying when / quit, hnt. If 40 rt
member correctly, it was this: That