New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-09-18

lore you tins evening Tor tine purpose Of ex
planning the accurate political condition O
Louisiana, past and present, and to solici
the sympathy of the white Republicans O
the North for the black Republicans of tn,
with but one exception he referred to Gen
| Halstead, whom be served under during
the war Of the rebellion. What I wish t.
say to this audience is about Louisiana
Affairs. When the city Of New Orleans was
captured by Gen. Butler there were $4,000
foreigners in the State and 1910 in the city
OF New Orleans unnaturalized and not elli-
gible, half speaking the French language.
and half the English dialect. Since then
some of these foreigners have left the State
and others become DaturaliZed citizens.
There are still in the State 10, GOO foreigners.
Less the foreigners and "beached colored
men," the white population amounts 10
BAT 900. By adding the mulattos TO the col
ored strenth, the number IS increased to
3,0, 900. The 1000 white Republican votes
denote a population Of p 900, and by adding
those figures to those standing for the colOred
account, the Republican population in the
State is increased to 39j, 900 against 800 900
Of all the other shades of political affinities.
In November, 1868, at the approach of the
election of General Grant for President OF
the United States, the X. X. X. was so
very voracious that Governor Warmoth said
be deemed it judicious for the colored citizens
to refrain from attempting to vote. Amid
his advice the oolored citizens went to the
polls and handled the ballot As they did the
musket. He Governor Warmoth) said the
Republicans of the North would elect Gen.
Grant beyond all compromise independent OF
the South. Since 1865 he said 500 colored
men had been massacred simply because
they, as citizens, demanded their rights of
suffrage and the privilege of holding office.
During the same time not single white man
has been brought to justice for all the muir
ders committed, while the blacks have been
held to rigid accountability for all their
misdemeanors. The whole administration
Of Governor Warmoth has been against
the colored people so managing the cleo
tions that they were deprived of their rights
and defrauded of their votes. This fraud is
usually committed at the time when the votes
are counted. They do not count the votes
in the same towns they are polled, but carry
them to the seat Of the parish to he counted
by the supervisor three days after the cleo
ton. In 1871 the Republicans came very
near deposing Governor Warmoth Had they
succeeded, the trouble Of 1872 wosd have
been averted.
He concluded by saying, under Governor
kellogg the life of every man was safe, ire
spectiye of race or color. The loyal people
of Louisiana desire the government of VIM.
Pitt Kellogg, and want it to he established
permanently.
In regard to the State debt of Louisiana,
81 200, 900 of it was created by building levees
or banks on the Mississippi river to prevent
large portion of the State from being mum
dated by the overflow of the river. IT'S
true the taxes on real estate are heavier now
than before the rebellion. Before the late
civil war they taxed the negro, and property
too, but now the negroes are no longer
chattles, hut frecmen, and not liable to tax
alton.
At the conclusion of Colonel Ingraham's
address, the chairman read letters Of regret
from Hon. George A. Halsey, of Newark,
and Hon. Amos Clark, jr., of Elizabeth.
The former could not attend the meeting
owing to previous engagement, and the latter
on account of sickness in his family.
Hon. J. Henri Burch was then introduced.
He thanked Rev. John d. Bagwcll, his asso-
ciate, and the citizens of Plainfield, for the
courtesy extended them during their rapid
visit to this city. He said, although we are,
when at home, away OFF in the far part of
the South, yet we rejoice with the people of
the North when they have Republican tri-
umph. 1 ask you, in the name Of God, to
exhibit the same feelings towards us. Mr..
Burch made an effective speech, and was
succeeded by General A. f. Barbour, Of
Louisiana, who made remarkably eloquent
speech.
At the close of the meeting the citizens
rendered a resolution of thanks to the Lou
isiana delegation for the information given
relative to the political condition of said
State. JESSE LAWSON.