New Orleans Republican., 1873-06-01
THE SITUATION DISCUSSED
PEACE, JUSTICE, RECONCILIATION
Speeches of Messrs. Burch, Ingraham
and Chester.
APPOINTMENT OF A COMMITTEE

IGI some Gays IN tnc hEfLbLlIAE>' AA A'1e
tie Republican masses to assemble to tax
measures for submitting to the country I'M
condition of the coIored people OF LOUIS
5ana and to express confidence in and deter
animation to support the State and naaona
administrations, the hall of the House o
Representatives, at Mechanics lnsutute
was thronged on Monday evening last.
The meeting was called to order by Hon
william G. Brown, State Superintendent O
Education, who called Lieutenant Governor
&C. Antoine to the chairs
Colonel James Lewis and Hon. d Il
AlIain were chosen vice presidents, and
Messrs, William Weeks, We W.Johnson
and j. w. Quinn, secretaries.
Hon. J. Henri Burch was introduced and
sead the following resolutions:
WHEREAS. The present alarming condition
nf nolitical affairs in Louisiana, having at
erarted the attention of the American press
and the American people, who, either from
. Dreiudice or being imposed upon, wholly
sail 70 understand the actual state OF affairs
nr ,be causes which have had the effect OF
bringing this State to its present CONDITION
. of disorder and cOnfusion; and.
Whereas, Our political opponents IN TINS
State have, by and through their traveNng
committees, misrepresentation, Lavish ex.
penditure of money, partisan journals and
orators and other questionable methods,
aucceeded in making in the North an un'
favorable opinion OF the Republican party
of this State, especially the colored men,
and at home by special and specious ap-
peals to their followers, succeeded IN rous-
ing the passions of bad men, eliminating
eventually in the wholesale musder OF col
Ored Republicans, intimidation, violence
and fraud; and,
o Whereas. These same men have con-
stantly represented the colored men of this
State. holding elective or appointive posi-
tions, as being corrupt, depraved, ignorant,
vicious and unworthy, and have industri.
ousIy circulated the same at home and
abruad, and have sought to prove the same
before the American Congress, for no other
purpose than to carry out 1heir purposes;
and,
Whereas, We have been led to believe
that our case was not as ably represented
IN Washington, before the committee on
Louisiana affairs, as the merits OF the case
demanded, and as it will be once more pre-
sented to the American Congress Tor hnal
considerations and,
Whereas, Believing firmly that the State
of Louisiana is honestly Republican, and as
such elected the Republican candidates,
with but few exceptions, at the general
election of 1872, in spite of the outrageous
obstacles placed in the way of colcred Re
publicaus, such as denial Of registration,
hindrance in. voting, ballot-bOx stutfing, a
refusal to return the votes OF parishes over
whelmingly Republican, etc, all of which
can be easily proven; thtrefore, be 1t
Resolced, That it is the sense OF this meet
ing that decisive and immediate steps be
taken by the eclored men OF this State to
place before the American people lmme-
diately, and the American Congress at its
next session, such facts and testimony as
. will easily demonstrate the truth OF our
; assertions.
RcSo!rcd, That it is also the sense of this
meeting that the representative c0IOred
men Of this State owe it to their party,
their constituents, themselves and their
race to use immediate measures, by
every effort within their power, to reverse
the false and outrageous reports SO indus
."triously circulated by their lifelong enc
mies-believed by them naturally, and
credited by our friends because they are
not publicly cODtradicted-and to put forth
their bes. efforts to prove the falsity OF the
accusations, and to vindicate their fitness
'tO vote and to be voted for
Resolred, That in order to place our party
and race in Louisiana properly before the
American people, and also TO De III readl-
ness to meet our villifiers and prosecutors
at the bar of public opinion at the North,
and the American Congress, committee OF
nine persons be appointed by the chairman
of this meeting, which committee shall have
full powers to collect testimony, hold cor
respondence with the prominent White and
coored Republicans of the North, collect
funds to defray all necessary expenses, send
prominent and earnest cOlored orators from
Co. tha nf
interesting our Northern Republicans IN our
affairs, and to procure an honest impartial
verdict as to our fitness to hold office, or
assist in the government of State affairs; to
provide for committee to attend the next
session of Congress, and assist our trends
there TO fight our battles, to procure COM
petent and worthy witnesses for that pur-
pose, and to do whatever may be necessary
in their Judgment to defend and vindlcate
our party ald our race.
Rcsolced, That as an auxiliary to this
committee there shall be appointed by ii
two from each parish of this State, whose
duty il shall be to assist the committee OF
nine in procuring competent, worthy wit.
nesses, and to forward to it such facts and
sworn statements relative to the last and
previous elections as may be deemed neces
sary for the purposes of the committee.
Resolred That now as in the past, our
DrOiOunUeSl gThtlLuut Is uuc duu 10 AS0A III y
rendered TO President Grant for his ever
ready appreciation of our needs, and his
steady application of those remedies
through which alone our people have been
rescued from cruel despotism and main
tanned in the enjoyment OF our preser
political privileges.
Rcsolrc9, That regarding the present
State government as the righttul, equitable
and inst representative of the majority OF
sc -, yr-an nnr
daily Weld it our respect and confidence
and pledge ourselves to its support.
Resoired. That we recognize IN Hon. T.
H. Durell one who, by the firm, untinchlng
performance of an onerous duty, possessed
the high moral courage to meet undaunted
the task set before him, and whose decision
in our humble opinions, was founded on an
enlightened sense OF Justice and desire 70
righteously interpret the law in the case
To him are extended the sincere thanks OF
a prosecuted race who, by his action, has
been protected thus far in their rights. He
has stood between them and their oppres
sors as strong wall between a rushing
river which threatened their overthrow,
and we are profoundly grateful to him for
his impartial Judgment. Though misrepre-
sented now by those who would deprive us
Of our rights. we look confidently to the
future for the vindication of his act, and
believe that IL Will eNeulually pe aPpio'cu
by the nation and applauded by all true
lovers of humanity.
Reso!red, That all we ask of our white
fellow. citizens is justice and equality before
the law, and the independent exercise OF
our rights, and when these great blessings
are practically conceded and enjoyed by
us. there VIII be peace. happiness and pros
perity throughout the State.
Mr.. Burch continued as follows:
Mr.. President and fellow citzens-lt de-
wolves upon NE to make the first speech o OF
tbe evening. / shall contine my remarks
to the resolutions just read: Much specu,,
ist;on has been INDUCED in by our poilticai