New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-05-16
Liberal RepubIicnns IN Cnnncil.

OF our paflF0 ana state,
Liberal Republicans i'm Council.
At the meeting in the Senate Chamber
Tuesday evening, to institute measures for
a Liberal Republican State Convention.
Hon. Thomas w, Conway, in speech of
some length, defined his position as being
in accord with the movement, nationally,
but not so as far as the State was concerned.
contehding that union with the Democrats
meant defeat of the Republican party.
He said he was one of the pioneers of the
Liberal Republican party in this State, and
he was in favor of supporting the national
movement, but he had seen enough to CON
vince him, and he was convinced, that if
the movement succeeded in this State as a
State ticket, that the Democratic marty
would get control of the government. He
was not willing to abdicate yet. He did
not want to zee all that had been done by
the national and State governments, 6y the
Republican party, undOne and Overthrown.
He said that he took this course after
mature reflection, and said it in all kindness
and with regret, he could not and would
not go into the movement as a State atfilia-
ton. He must be counted out. He could
not and would not act with Democrats and
assist them to get control of the State gov
eminent, directly or indirectly.
He then withdrew.
Governor WarmOth, in reply to Mr.. Con
way, said in substance:
Let us save the national and State gov
ernments together. Cheers /, for one,
desire that every man shall feel that he is
citizen, even though he may have been in
the Confederate service, and that the gov
eminent shall be such as to make him feel
that he is citizen and not an outlaw. /
also want to see an economical as well as
just administration, and to do away with
this army of relations and Ofice-holders
which, under the present system, devastates
the country. l want to see no more enforce
ment of the Ku-Klux law in States where
there are no Ku-Klux. l want to see no
bayonets used in the interests OF the Presi-
dents relations to insult the officers of the
State, and drag them from their positions
in violation of all right, justice and law.
do not want to again see the Governor of the
State, the Lieutenant Governor, members of
the Senate, and twenty-five members of the
House of Representatives arrested by
United States marshals on the warrants of
a United States Commissioner, procured by
perjury and fraud, and dragged from their
duties and confined in the CustomhOuse for
an hour and half, while a combination
under the direction of the collector of the
port and other federal officers can expel
enough members so that they can Overturn
the government, whose only offense is that
the Governor is suspected of being in oppO-
sitiOn to the Presidents reelection. l want
to see no federal cannon entrenched be-
hind the granite walls Of any United States
government building to defy and in
suit the citizens representing their con-
stituents in a convention wrOngfully
called there. But / do want to see the
l. III IL. l. L
hcans, and all rise in their might, and
sweep this system from power. [Applause,
and cries of hear, hear. So much for
the general government Now for the
State for / know and we know
there is corruption and ignorance here
also in power, and it must also be reform
ed. / want it to be so that no United States
marshals backed by men of the State gov
eminent shall 90 into the Legislature and
plunge NicOlsOn pavement or other bills
through. do not want to see legislators
hawked as if for sale in che public market
place; but / do want an honest and intelli- |
gent Legislature, and a government that
will execute its will; and, gentlemen, you
can not secure this alone, with the Repub-
hcan party united and alone, for it is dis
trusted by the people for acts which neither
you nor, can ever justify or excuse.
Neither do | think that it can be done by |
the Democratic party alone, for it has |
proved itself equally wanting in virtue and |
political morality; but, sirs, do say and |
believe that the honest men of both parties |
can rally and unite in midway ground and |
be successful, and redeem the country, |
State and national. l am going into the |
movement because 1 do not want to |
see another such four years of government |
in this State and nation as l have witnessed |
in the last four years, and l believe that if
it we're to continue all honest men would be
obliged to sell their property and leave the
1t is useless to say, as Conway
has said, that we are alarmed because the
Democrats may join with us. / tell you /
ain not at all thin skinned on that subject.
| open wide my arms and welcome every
man, whether he may be Democrat or Re-
publican, who wants to aid the movement. |
[ do not care how bitter he may have been
toward me or to my party if he is in favor
Of an honest gOvernment,cap intelligent
and honest men in office, a free government,
an open field and fair fight, / want him to
Oin us, and if | can forgive my political
enemies, l am sure most Of you can yours.
Applause.l 1t is absurd to talk about
national ticket against Grant, and a State
ticket for Grant, or act with or vote for
my body who does vote for Grant. He is
he enemy of republican institutions. He
las insulted the intelligence and patriotism
# the people of this State. He has kept
he most ignorant, selfish, venal and wicked
ct of men in Office, and has treated with
Ontempt the persistent demand of the
Ountry for their removal. His policy
makes the South a miserable appendage, an
roland to his government, and from under
is iron heel we will never rise until his er-
Jrcement acts, Ku-Klux laws, military and
convention packers are over
and the people bid to be free
nee more. [Applause.]