Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-07-19
An Appeal for the UnificafiOn OF
the People Of Louisiana.

al. material and political being, and,
Whereas, Her dire extremity is but the
fI,,it of unnatural division among her ma
tural guardians-the children of her soil
and of her adoption; and,
Whereas, We have an abiding faith that
there is love enough for Eorisiana among
her sons to unite in manful and unselfsh
struggle for her redemption;
Be it therefore misunderstanding
henceforward we dedicate ourselves to the
unification of our people
Second-That by 'Our people" we mean
all men of whatever race, color or religion,
who are citizens of Louisiana; and are will
ing to work FOR her prosperity.
Third-That we shall advocate by speech,
and pen, 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, and by the laws of honor, brother
hood and fair dealing.
Fourth-That we shall maintain and ad-
vocate the right of every citizen of Louisi
ana. and of every citizen of the United
States, to frequent at will all places of pub
lie resort, and to travel at will on all yehi-
cles of public conveyance upon terms of
perfect equality with any and every other
citizen; and we pledge ourselves so far as
on influence, council and EXAMPLE may go
| to make this right liveand practical right,
4 and that there may be no mlsunderstand-
| ing of our views on this point.
| /. We shall recommend to the proprietors
| of all places of licensed public resort in the
State of Louisiana the opening of said places
| to the patronage of both races inhabiting
our State.
| Q. And we shall further recommend that
| all railroads, steamboats,, steamships and
other public conveyances pursue the same
policy.
| 3. I'VE shall furth her recommend that our
hanks. insurance offices and other public
corporaticps recognize and cOncede to our
| colored fellow citizens, where they are
| stockholders in such institutions, the right
of being represented in the direction there
of.
| 4. We shall further recommend That here
| after no distinction shall exist among citi-
zens of Louisiana in any of our public
schools or State institution of education, or
| in any other public institution supported
by the State, city or parishes.
5. We shall-atso recommend that the pro-
| prieturs OF all fcu,rdries, factories and other
| Industrial establishments, in employing
mechanics or workmen, make no distinc:
ton between the two races.
6. We shall encourage, by every means
| in our power, our colored citizens in the ru-
raj 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 political conser-
| ya.ism which is the offspring of proprietor
ship and we furthermore recommend to all
landed proprietOrs in our State the policy
of considering the question OF breaking up
! the same into small farms, in order that
the colored citizens and white emigrants
NAV become practical farmers and cultiva-
| tors of the SOIL.
Fifth-That we pledge our honor and
| GOOD faith to exercise our moral influence,
both through personal advice and personal
| example. to bring about the rapid removal
of an preiudices heretofore existing against
fine colored citizens of Louisiana, in order
| that they NAV hereafter enjoy all the rights
belouginp to citizens of the United States.
Re If further resolved, That we earnestly
anpeal to the press of this State to join and
cnlonerate with us in erecting this monu-
rnent, ~ unity, concord and justice, and like
ourselves forever to bury beneath it all par
Resolved, also, That we deprecate and
thoroughly condemn all acts OF violence,
from whatever source, and appeal to our
neonle of both races to abide by the law IN
| all their differences as tne surest way w
preserve to all the blessings of life, liberty
and property. 4,
Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to
the cultivation of broad sentiment OF ma
tionality, which shall embrace the whole
country, and uphold the flag OF the Union.
Resolved; That as an earnest OF our holy
purpose, we hereby offer upon the alter oil
the common good all party ties, and all pre-
;ndice of education which may tend to HIM
der the political unity Of our'people.
Resolved, That in view of the numerical
equality between the white and colored
elements of our population, we shall advo,
| cate an equal distribution of the offices o.
trnst and emolument'in our State, demand
as the only conditions of our suffrage, non
esty. diligence and ability; and we advo
cate this not because Of the offices them
selves, but simply as another earnest a n
proof upon our part that the union Nv, we ae ,
sire is an equal union and rot an iiiuslv'
conjunction brought about for the sole pen
eft of one or the other of the parties 10 tn'
union.
! G. T. BEAUREGARD, Chairman;