The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-08-03
Address OF Gen. Allen Thomas.
He Repudiats the United State Ticket"
and Calls Upon the People to Join the
Liberal Party.


Liberal Party.
At the mass-meeting of the citizens
of Ascension parish favoring the cleo
tion of Greeley and Brown, held at
the Court-House, Donaldsonville, Sat
urday, July 9th, Gen. Allen Thomas
being called upon for an address,
spoke as follows: saass ss
Fellow citizens of Ascension, Dem
Ocrats and Liberals-fOr to-day | see
before ME men of all shades of opin-
ion, men who have put the past be-
hind them with all its sorrows, who
are keenly alive to the future and de-
termined to live up to its necessities !;
and this is the part of wisdom and
patriotism, and as it should be, for the
love of the good in government or
men belongs to no monopoly and is in
the keeping of no self-chosen guardi-
ans. Thank God that it should be
thus, for this is the cementing link
that has rallied around the standard
OF Greeley and Brown Republicans
and Democrats, men of every code
and creed, a swelling host, fixed with
q determination to redeem the coun-
try before it is too late, and who have
laid upon her altars all differences and
prejudices, and sworn to forget the
past. To such we say, as did the Cru
saders of old to those who rallied be-
meath the banners of the cross, "Wei-
come, thrice welcome to the holy
work I; for this thy political sins are
forgiven thee, even though they be as
scarlet, and thou art regenerated and
x49fIq g*.F.I.gssg r
And here, gentlemen, before I pro-
ceed farther, I must ask your indul-
gence that may briefly account to
you for the trust confided to me as IL
delegate TO the Dealocratic Conven-
tion, and that may give the reasons
why | consider myself absolved from
supporting the united State ticket:
First, because the ticket nominated
by the Democratic Convention has
been withdrawn, and then put forth
with some old and some new names.
Secondly, because the Central Com
mittee have assumed the right to de-
clare a platform for the party, which
the Convention expressly refused to
do. - as
Thirdly, because the Central Com
mittee in nominating State electoral
ticket without consulting with the
Liberal party, has placed itself in OPP
position to the friends of Mr.. Greeley
in this State, and to that extent sepa-
rated itself from tie National Demo-
cratic Convention that nominated Mr..
Greeley. In effect, if not in intent,
a nomination of this character is so
to the success of the Gree
ley ticket that it might be. the work of
his disguised enemies, seeking to di-
vide the vote so that Grant might sue
ceed by q plurality vote.
Fourthly, because the committee
does not represent or reflect the sem
timent of the Democracy throughout
the State, and in its action has totally
disregarded the existence and wishes
of the country parishes.
Filthy, because the candidates on
the united State ticket have approved
and endorsed the action of the Cen
tral Committee, and thus hold their
not from the original
vote of the Convention, but from the
simple action of a committee that, in
our Judgment, has transcribed its
powers. and therefore can not claim
that it is our duty to sustain them.
These are some of the reasons WHY
| consider myself absolved from any
obligation to support the ticket; 9TH
ers might be adduced, but these are
sufficient. as@ s21ass - 5<.sd
The editor of the Ouachita Telegraph
asked me if / did not support Mem
cry because he favored cooperation.
| answered frankly that I did and as
this was Col. MeEnery's well known
position in the Convention, with his
name at the hestd of the ticket |
deemed it might still be accomplished;
and I never then or now thought that
he could be elected without co-opera
ton. If he has changed his views
regarding cooperation, so have not |.
/ would here add that for McEnery l
have u high personal regard. If he
could be elected, he would make
Governor that the State might be
proud of; and the other gentlemen on
the ticket are, / believe, safe and
good men. but our business is with
the salvation and we'll being of the
State, not that of individuals. !. You
will recolleet, gentlemen, that when
elected by you as o delegate to the
Convention, was instruc-
ted to use my best endeavors to mite
all the elements opposed to Grant in
this State. To the consummation of
this end / can truly say the majority
of your delegation labored earnestly
and faithfully, but that strong opposi-
ton, emanating chiefly from the Or
leans delegation. defeated its attain
ment. This opposition was aseribed
to various reasons. BY some it was
thought that New Orleans was SO sure
of obtaining all the offices within her
municipality, that she cared not to en-
ter into any coalition that might COM
pei a division of what she already