New Orleans Republican., 1873-03-26
NEW ORLEANS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26 1873

look npOn this grand demonstration repre-
senting our wisdom and grace, uneauiyo.
cally declare: Really these negroes are
coming"
few years ago, many whom we are bow
proud TO hail as our representative men.
among whom Douglass and Garnet may be
mentioned, were benighted bondsmen all
over the South; but today they present
a standard OF intellectual greatness which
not only does US honor, but gives an addi-
ti0nai fnstre to humanity. Their elOuuenoe
has enraptured scientific and literary
minds, and quickened them to noble exeI-
tons in the cause of oppressed humanity.
Abroad, they have been received in the
highest circles, with the consideration due
10 their virtues; and at home their power
is recognized in the growth of public re-
spect, regardless of color, which Quickens
our pride and puts it beyond the possibility
of doubt that we are coming
Recently most of us were IN servitude
and we who were free were treated as
bondsmen; but when the nation was inl-
periled and called US to its rescue, we
seized our muskets and rallied around It's
regenerated standard. Inspired by the
good old tune Of John Brown, and keeping
step to the music Of the Union, we success
fully assaiied abattis, overcome ciecaUr dc
friSe, leaped bitches, and climbed breast
works under a shower of death to the
amazement of our Southern cousins, whose
constitutional objection TO a close associa-
ton with US, caused them to turn their
faces southwark, declaring as they looked
back over their shoulders, them d--d
niggers are coming"
Upon former sites OF degradation are now
evidences of elevation; where black laws
were enacted to darken our minds and
brutalize our nature, are churches in which
we worship in accordance with our taith
and schOUlhouses, where our children are
progressing i'll elementary studies, mani
ting tastes and developing thoughts
which toreshadow their spheres Of utility
Some of our boys, rhroug h frequent efforts,
are growing into promising declaimers, while
others, by continued attempts at drawing
pictures on their states or elsewhere, are
cultivating a habit and stimulating ganius
which will enable them, some day, TO dash
upon canvas a portrait or landscape capa-
bic of exciting sufficient admiration in our
old enemies as to startle them into the be-
lief that I'VE are coming"
Our cultured circles possess Tor MS all the
charms that it is possible for our polished
and pale-taced tellow-citiBens to enjoy in
theirs. We have gentlemen of character,
integrity and commanding abilities, and
ladies of superior beauty and unsurpassed
excelleDcies. whose atmosphere of grace
mated as ornaments OF the sex, which
thrills our selfrespect as we look into the
faces of our mothers and sisters, our sweet
hearts and wives, and say, with feelings Of
exuItation, 1--WE are coming" !"
In the Jury box we are sitting in judg-
ment upon civil and criminal issues; in the
halls of legislation we are enaGting laws for
our respective States; the Congress OF the
United States has, in both branches, wei
to1i
Secretaries OF States and Lieutenant Co
ernors have filed their executive positions
with dignity and ability; and last. but no
least, President Grant has broken through
the precedents which the mischieyUus ele
ments in the party have Fndeavored L.
maintain, by appointing colored men 20
prominent and lucrative positions OF trust,
10 just gecoe milton of our ability and claims,
which 10 tho most superficial observer
clearly indicates that I'VE are coming"
In the progress which has been made in
our civil and political rights, in the grow
ing public sentimep: among the Southern
people, that further Fesist stance to the march
or freedom and justice is impOdtlc, IN
those grand auxiliagies OF civilization, free
schools, pure churches and Just laws, in the
warbling of birds, in the ripping Of
streams, in the waving of trees, and IN
every unfettered element OF nature, it IS
&UEtbH&kONtO tEGE tLV arc aDNNNS'
The remarks OF Mr. Chester elected fre-
puen. and long continued applause, and he
brought tbslG TO q close amidst q round OF
cheers.
Hon James Il. ingraham Was tie next
speaker. lie said
The resolutions read here tonight. and
80 ably and exhaustively discussed by those
" ho have preceded me, meet With my cor
iial Endorsement. save in one particular,
and that not IN their going zoo lar. but not
far enough.
I. however, "bida my time. The pa |
hence that is necessary tC wait, can exist
Tor "ten years." for after all time shows
Us our errors and successes, whether III the |
dawn Of youth or in the winter of old age
We are assembled here tonight to renew |
upon our altar OF liberty-this grand old |
st. James Chapel, from whenc3 our Native |
Guard marched TO death and rictory-Onr |
ieVction continued and unbroken from the |
hour that give birth 20 :he Republican
party; TO say that we arc as true to-day as
We have been in tue pas. .'C come not as
men, having cur hearts niled
with the gall of bitterness. having persona!
wrongs to redress: we CONS not az men
Datted OF ambitious hopes, shattered by
he votes of our fellow citizens; we
zone filing high and re-poushie po-
,itOns intrusted ID Us by oar country
men whereby we have been made watch
men as il were, upon the Withdrawing in
,ur keeping, and under our care. the rights
II a contiding people. We. thus situated
md filling the offices contided to us, know
whence TO expect danger perhaps an at
ack. We csnle 10 say TO you, "gird up
cur !oins," be ready TO protect. defend,
md perpe.uate your rights, no matter from
whence attacked or by whom endangered.
We have q party numbering 70,G00 III
Louisiana-Sj 900 colored and 5000 white
,et this 5000 rule the 81, 600 with rod of
ron. We see our white friends daily filing |
nd being appointed to nearly every office;
nd though they claim and assert that there
re certain offices colored men ought not to
Ill, and that white men will not hold office |
nder cOlored men, yet we find that no
OOner than cOlOred men are elected to an
flee having patronage, these same men are
ager Tor the patronage, even TO the eXclu- !
ion and detriment Of cOlored men. Again
While our influential and intelligent colored
1en ever strive 10 assist and promote our
White friends, we observe and are panied
0 see every effort being made from time to
lIne. aye, necessarily, by our white friends
0 lessen and utterly destroy the influence
t intelligent and deserving colOred men.
We say that this must end.
We say, in substance, that the absence of
OIored men from the consultations held hy !
ur white friends "a 10 the policy Of the
arty in Louisiana is regarded by us as
ratultous insult TO the co5Jred men whom
70 have elected TO cooperate with them in
be management and maintenance OF re.
Hblican government IN Louisiana. We
lish it distinctly understood that we are
0 be heard and respected in the councils
the State. whether judicial. legislative
= executive.
We have again and again elected men to
be Congress Of the nation, and We have
Taited patiently to see and hear of their
oUd works, hoping, believing aud expect