The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1873-01-22

Anu yeG. upon SUCH vague ana unSnp-
ported averments of interested parties, and
under the deceitfnl guise of Il chancery
proceeding, United States Court has M
dertaken to avoid set aside the regular re-
turns of the lawful officers of the State
and proposes to induct into it's high Off.
ces the minority candidates therefor. And
this is done without an investigation or
trial and by the aid of the military power
of the Federal Government. That aid has
been given on the technical ground of the
duty of the Federal Executive to enforce
the orders of Il judicial tribunal. without
inquiry or any regard to the legality or
equity of snch orders.
L h G eminent military chieftain who
fills the high office of Chief Magistrate of
the Republic, acted, doubtless. in conscien-
tious fidelity to his views of duty and the
obligations of his oath and office, in thus
aftording the military aid to execute the
unrighteous orders of the Federal Judge
l. would be unjust to the President of the
United States topreSume from such action
his approval of the wrongful conduct of a
partisan judge or his insensibi}ty to the
wrongs and grievances of this people,
which have been so fully and eloanently
presented to him by large delegation of
our best citizens. Nor should we Oh that
account distrnst the Justice, the equity
and patriotism of the Executive and Leg
islative Departments of the Federal Gov
ernment to afford rs relief from h c
wrongs which have been done to our peo
| pie and State, when they shall be placed
i'll full possession Of all the facts relating
thereto.
This moment of an entire cessation of
national political strifes, the great desire
OF the people of all sections, and especial
ly of the South, to afford generous sup
| port to the Federal authorities, and to the
constitutional policy of the dominant pol
itical party Of which the President is the
chief, are pecnliarl" favorable for such a
response to our petition and claim for re-
parati0n and intervention, i'll order TO
maintain the equal political a d civil
rights of the State and people of Louisiana
i'll the Union and under the Constitution.
| Let us not, therefore, my fellow. citizens,
despair of the just aud equitable action Of
the Federal Government, in orr defense
against the conspiracy and wrong doing of
its own unworthy officials.
And that we may show ourselves enti-
tied to such relief, let us he true to our
selves, and 90 forward consistently, firmly
and peaceably, to assert our constitutional
rights and fulfill our constitutional obi
cations, by the full and complete orgaui
cation Of that republican government,
which is guaranteed to all the States OF
this Union.
IT is in this view of my duty now ap.
pear before you, to accept the honor and
aSsnmc the responsibilities of the Chief
Executive Of this Stare. Nominated and
supported by a combination of citizens of
various shades Of political opininns, all
Iuuited upon the common object of reform
ing the government Of the State aud re-
llevlug the people Of the burdens and
evils OF several years of mal-administra-
ton, have employed no other means OF
influencing the oplulons and votes of all
classes of citizens than by appeals to their
Intelligence, their morality and patriot
ism. have invoked 10 prsindices Or PAS
fsions, have countenanced 10 fraud or viz
lence. Injustice or intimidation towards
any portion of ray tellow-citiZens; and if
ANY snch Or other unworthy and improper
influences and arts have been employed in
my behalf, repudiate and disown them.
As highly as appreciate the honor and
distinction Of the Chief Magistraey Of a
State endeared to me by so many sacred
/ ties, wnni,, never consent to ccept and
occnpy the Office nnless with the full con
viction that it was bestowed by the hon
est vote Of a majority of the suiiragans
In this conviction. shall enter upon the
duties of the Office without partisan pre-
ijndice, without nncharitableness to any
class OF orr people. or any other passion
that wonid divert me from the devotion
of my faculties aud energies to every
ton and advancement of our political, So
cial and material condition.
TO this end, l shall strive to inrnlcate
!. feelings of mutual good viii, fraterral
confidence and respect for the equal rights
Of all and an oblivion of all past feuds
and controversies among all classes of ON
people. The great changes in orr const
tutiOnal and social systems resulting from
; our civil war, will be faithfully and earn
estly adhered to and maintained by me
, And to that large class of our citizens who
have been elevated by these changes to q
perfect equality o f civil an d political
, rights with those o whom they once
stood in relations of inferiority and servi
, tude, pledge my answering devotion
J and defense of their rights, and my sup
port Of all wise and Just measures to pro
, mote their welfare aud happiness.
TO all classes Of citizens, without regard
, to lace, color or previous condition, or tt
, political and party distinctions, pledg,
: the faith and honor Of a loving son o
: Louisiana to nse my best efforts to restore
our State to that prosperity, peace order