New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-01-10
NEW ORLEANS REPUBLICAN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1872

| those laws which were enacted for the pro-
lection of the colored people, in order to
throw them back into the condition in
| which they were when this Legislature
first met here. say, let the consequences
be what they may, that l will never take a
step backward, nor aid them in the execu-
ton OF their designs. ] am glad to learn,
as do to-day, that some persons, high in
federal position here, have said that they
withdraw from this conspiracy; that they
are satisfied that Mr.. Carter means the be-
trayal of the Republican party and the
betrayal of the colored people into the
hands of the Democratic mob mot of the
Democratic party, and that they will have
| no further lot nor part In the matter. lfthey
continue much longer in their revolutionary
action, believe that the eyes of all will be
opened to their designs. To sum up briefly,
repeat that every reform that will lessen
in any manner the expenditure of the pub
lie money every reform that will prevent
corruption, every reform that will tend to
tighten the load of taxation upon the peo-
pie, every reform that will protect them
from the abuse OF any law, l am pledged to
support; but l am opposed to any con-
spiracy which, under the pretense OF aim
ing at these reforms, aims at the destruction
of Republicanism here, and the trampling
under foot Of all the safeguards which the
law has thrown around the colOred people
| of the State.
Mr.. Lynch-Mr. President. l think it
| proper that some action should be taken by
| the seventeen Senators who are meeting
here from day to day, to make known their
| views in reference to the present condition
of atfairs-not to make pledges and proul-
Uses. but simply to express what are our
| designs, or what we have i'll view. The
resolutions which have been introduced
seem to have three objects in view. They
| first refer to the absent members OF the
| Senate, and condemn that absence because
| it prevents from doing that which it has
| been proclaimed by the mob it WAS their de-
sire to do. We are here. sir, ready to act
and to enact laws that will reform any abuse
that may exist, or correct any evil that
| hasty or improper legislation may have
| created We are here. say, to act, but
| our hands are tied by the absence Of these
| Senators, who have seen tit to break the
quorum of the Senate, thereby preventing
us from giving the State the benefit of any
notifications that We might make in laws
which may be considered unj just or I'M
| wise. The action OF these Senators
| in absentng themselves from their
| seats merits the greatest condemnation
| at the hands of the people of Louisiana. l
am not prepared to condemn them all with
| out hearing; | do not say that some OF
! them are absent without any good excuse:
| but do say that an expression on our part
| of disapproval of their course is emlnently
| proper If these men desire reform, if they
wish to modify any obnoxious laws, let them
| take their seats here and act with us, and
| not keep themselves as they are now doing,
| out of the jurisdiction OF the State, so that
we cannot even enforce the provisions OF
| the constitution to compel their attendance.
Some may suppose that we have nothing to
| do with those people who have assembled
! over saloon on Royal street, and organ
| Il ). al ,.N@D
resentarives;" but it is proper that we should
express our disapprobation of their course,
| and we have done so in the resolutions now
| before the Senate. The next clause refers
| TO the annual message of his eXcelency
| the Governor, in which several specified re-
! formatory measures are recommended. we
| pledge ourselves as Senators to take such
action as will secure to the people the re-
| suits of those recommendations. We have
been here d week for that purpose; we are
here to-day for that purpose, and we will
be mere tomorrow for that purpose. Ii
thew are not adopted, who are To blame but
those Senators who are absent from their
seats to- day. Ipledge myself to vote for
every measure that has Tor its object the
reduction OF taXatlon-fhe relief OF the PEG
pie from the burdens which they are row
faboring under, and the restoration of the
State of Louisiana to her once prosperous
condition. We can make this q prosperous
and happy State if we try. and | believe the
Senators present are ready ana willing to
30 so. If these absent Senators do not pre-
sent themselves and prove their sincerity
by their acts, as we have done, they should
be placed upon the record as enemies to
the State-enemies to wholesome and wise
legislation friendly to confusion, friendly
to anarchy, friendly to robbery, friendly to
all che train of evils which follow reyolu-
ton, when cut-thrOats are let loose upon
the community. and the power of the law
is paralyzed. ! say that they must come
here and act with us IN the passage OF
proper laws, or lay themselves liable to the
accusation of bringing upon the commu
nity all the evils that | have Hell
toned. 1t is proper that these resolutions
should 90 before the people in order that they
NAV read in letters of fire the danger which
threatens them from the inauguration of the
evils portrayed in the preamble. | under
stand that the seventeen senators present
pledge themselves to reform, and am glad
that am able to say So 1t Is the welcome
evidence that brighter era is d.wning
upon a darkened State, Let us stand
together like men, knowing our rights,
knowing our dignity, knowing the RESPONSE
biity of our positions. and daring to do our
duty though the heavens fall
Mr. Barber-I regret very much. Mr..
President, that my poor ability will not
permit me to express my sentiments upon
This question as | would wish, but III view
OF the extraordinary circumstances which
demand our attention at the present time.
do not think it proper 80 allow the oppor
tuuity to pass without saying Il few words
upon the resolutions now before the Senate.
IL is well known To every one that great
political changes have taken place III this
country within the last few years, resulting
in the enfraDchisement OF a race Which had
>t' ytt,l., ..,sI =. al
in consequence of all the advantages en-
loved bv other men. tnarIHainted ~ We
are with political matters. yet | conceive
faud wish to impress this f ,ct upon the mind
of every one within the sound III my v0ice}
that there are many among liz who nave
sufficient penetration to understand what is
right and Just, and what We SHOULD do IN
the interest of those who have selected us
to represent them in the halls Of legislation.
Now, Mr. President, Ahe Senators Who have
absented themselves from til" S nate Cham
her for the past week are directly violating
the trust rcpused i'll them by their cuustilu
tnts, for they have pledged Themselves to
come here and pass such laws a. the utter
ests of the people demand. Where are
they today Upon what preteXt do they
absent themselves from their seats Why
are they not here to cast their votes III
favor of those measures of reform which
they have pledged themselves upon the
various rostrums throughout the State to
support They were elected as honest and
honorable men-as men who would do their
duty tearlessly as legislators, and yet their
seats are vacant. Do theE expect TO re-
dress the grievances of which the people
complain by remaining on the revenue
cutter Wilderness or 10y going ontside Of
tie jurisdiction of the State on the Cila'ta
nooga railroads 1t strikes me that the
has nf ft,.ir NSOnlu h,V,