The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-06-21
From the New Orleans Times. June 18th.

At 7 o'clock last evening the repre-
Sentatives of the white and cOlOred
races, to whom has been referred the
drawing up a suitable platform of prin-
ciples upon which could stand all the
citizens of Louisiana, Upon a basis of
perfect equality, assembled last evening
at No. 81 CarOndelet street. The room
was filled to its utmost capacity, and
there were contained in the gathering
a representation of the intelligence of
the State, such as had never probably
before convened.
Mr.. Isaac n. Marks, the chairman of
this committee Of one hundred, in cal
ling the meeting to order, stated
that the subcommittee appointed to
adopt a suitable address or memorial to
the people of Louisiana had prepared
two reports, that of the majority, signed
bV ten members of the committee, and
Il minority report.
General Beauregard, in presenting to
the meeting the former, stated that
those members whose names were
affixed to it, had endeavOred to embOdy
all that could possibly be suggested.
At his request Mr.. Marks read the sub
joined:
Whereas, Louisiana is now threat
ened with death in every vital organ of
1Acl ulOIdly uIdtCLld1 anu pO1AClCdI DS1AS,
And whereas, her dire extremity is
but the fruit of unnatural division
among her natural guardianship chill
dren of her soil and her adoption; and
Whereas, we have an abiding faith
that there is love enough for Louisiana
among her n to unite them in Il man
full and unselfiSh struggle for her re-
demptiOn:
Be 1t therefore TeSOlred-
First-That h~encefOrward we dedi-
cate ourselves to the mifcatiOn of our
people.
Second-That by "our people" we
mean all men of whatever race, color or
religion who are citizens of Louisiana,
and who are willing to work for her
prosperity.
Third-That we shall advocate by
speech, and en-, and deed, the equal
and impartial exercise by every citizen
of Louisiana of every civil and political
right guaranteed by the Constitution
and laws of the United States to fire.
quent at will all places of public resort,
and to travel at will on all vehicles Of
public conveyance upon terms of pefect
equality with any and every other citi-
zen; and we pledge ourselves so far as
our influence, counsel and example may
go, to make this a right, a live and prac-
teal right, and that there may be no
misunderstanding of our views on this
point:
/. We shall recommend to the pro-
prietors of all places of licensed public
resort i'll the State Of Louisiana the
Of both races inhabtiing our State.
2. And we shall further recommend
that all railroads, steamboats,, steam
ships and other public cOnveyancespur-
sue the same policy.
3. We shall further recommend that
our banks, insurance offices, and other
public corporations recognize and con-
cede to our colOred fellow citizens where
they are stockholders in such institu-
tions,' the right of being represented
in the direction thereof.
4. We shall further recommend that
hereafternO distinction shall exist among
citizens Of louisiana in any of pub
lie schools OF State institution of edu-
cation, or in any other public institution
supported by the State, city or parishes.
5. We shall also recommend that the
p]rOprietOrs of all fOundries, factories
and other industrious establishments,
in employing mechanics or wOrkmen,
make no distinction between the two
races.
6. We shall encourage by everymeans
in our power u cOlOred citizens in the
rural districts to become the proprietOrs
of the soil, thus enhancing the value of
lands and adding to the productiveness
of the State, while it will create a pO-
litical conservatism which is the off
spring of prOprietOrship ; and we fur
thermOre recommend to all landed pro-
prietors in our State the policy Of CON
sidering the question Of breaking up
the same into smalPfarms, in order that
the colored citizens and white emigrants
may become practical farmers and cul-
~tivators of the soil.
Fifth-That we pledge our honor and
good faith to exercise our moral in
fuence, both through personal advice
and pesOnaI example, to bring about the
rapid removal of all prejudices hereto
fore existing against the cOlOred citizens
of Louisiana in order that they NAV
hereafter enjoy all the rights belonging
to the citizens of the United States.
:, Be it further resolUed, That we ear
nestly appeal to the press of the State
to join and. cooperate with us in erect
ing this monument to unity, concord
and justice; and like ourselves forever
i, to bury beneath it all party preiudiees.
Res0lued also, That we deprecate and
thoroughly condemn all acts of violence
u HUH WIIdGcHCI SUlICE1 anu appeal III
our people of both races to abide by the
law in all their differences as the sur
est way to preserve to all the blessings
of life, liberty and property.
Res0JUed, That we pledge ourselves to
the cultivation of a broad sentiment OF
nationality which shall embrace the
whole country and uphold the flag OF
! the Union.
ResoICed, That as an earnest Of our
whole purpose, we hereby offer upon
: ties and all prejudice of education
. which may tend to hinder the political
; unity of our people.
Resolged, That in view Of the numer,
| ical equality between the white and col,
ored elements of Il population, we shall
: advocate an equal distribution Of the
! offices Of trust and emolument in oul
: State, demanding as the only conditions
of our suffrage, honesty, diligence and
: ability; and we advocate this not be.
cause of the offices themselves. but sim.
I ply as another earnest and proof uDor
! our part, that the union we desire is al
. equal union and not an Elusive cOniunc.
ton brought about for the sole beneft
of one or the other of the parties to the
union.
In. MARKS chairman,
6. 4. BEAUREGARD,
e. e. ANTOINE,
GEORGE Y. KELsO,
CHAs. Il. THOMPSON,
I JAS. [. DAY,
: AUGUSTA BONN,
ARTsTIDE MARY,
/ DR.. j. G. R0UDANEz,
w. MT RAND0T pET