The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-08-07

OhED MEN-FERFE CI CIVIL - l. l
AGREED UPON.
From the New Orleans Tunes, June 18th. 1873.
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-
eiples upon which could stand all the
citizens of Louisiana, upon a basis of
perfect equality, assembled last evening
I at No. 81 ClrOndelet 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 call
ing the meeting to order, stated that the
subcommittee appointed to adopt a
suitable address or memorial to the pcO-
pie of Louisiana had prepared two re-
ports, that of the majority, signed by
ten members of the committee, and a
minority report.
General Beauregard, in presenting to
the meeting the former, stated that those
members whose James were affixed to
it, had endeavOred to embOdy all that
could possibly he SugSeSt6d..' At his re-
quest Mr.. Marks read the subiOined:
Whereas, Louisiana is now threatened
with death in every vital organ of her
moral, material and political being;
And whereas, her dire extremity is but
the fruit Of unnatural division among
her natural guardians-the children of
her soil and her adoption; and
Whereas, we have an abiding faith
that there is love enough for Louisiana
among her Sous to unite them i'll a man
full and unselfish struggle for her re-
demptiOn:
Be it therefore resolved
First-That henceforward we dedicate
Ourselvesito the application Of OuEpepple.
SecOnd-That by "our people, we
mean all men of whatever race, color OF
religion who are citizens of Louisiana,
and who are willing to work for her
prosperity.
Third-That we shall advocate by
speech, and pen, and decd, 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 perfect
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 Il right, Il live and prnC-
teal right, and that there may be no
misunderstanding of our views on this
point:
l.. We shall recommend to the pro-
prietOrs of all places of licensed public
resort III the State of Louisiana the open
ing of said places to the patronage of
both races inhabiting our State.
2. And we shall further recommend
that all railroads, steamboats,, steam
ships and other public conveyances pur-
sue the same policy.
3. We shall further recommend that
our banks, insurance offices, and other
public corporations recognize and con-
cede to Ii cOlOred fellow citizens where
they are stockholders i'll such i~nstitu-
lions, the right of being represented in
the direction thereof.
d. We shall further recommend that
Observation-Disclosures shall exist among
citizens of Louisiana in any of our pub
lie schools or State institution of educa-
ton, or in any other public institution
supported by the State, city or parishes.
S. We shall also recommend that the
proprietOrss 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 our colof6d 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 IL pOlit-
ical conservatism 'WhitH il the offspring
of prOprietOrship; and we furthermore
recommend to all landed proprietOrs in
our State the policy of considering the
question of breaking the same into small
farms, in order that the COlOred citizens
and white emigrants may become prac-
teal farmers and c%ultivators of the soil.
Fifth-That we pledge our honor and
good faith to exercise our moral int1u-
ence, both through personal advice and
personal example, to bring about the
rapid removal of all prejudiccs hereto
fore existing against the cOlOred citizens
of Louisiana in Order that they may
hereafter enjoy all the rights belonging
to the citizens of the United States.
Be it further resolved, That we earn
estly appeal to the press of the State to
join and cooperate with us in erecting
this monument to unity, concord and
justice, and like ourselves forever to
bury beneath it all party prejudices.
Resolved also, That We deprecate and
thoroughly condemn all acts of violence
from whatever source, and appeal to our
people of both races to abide by the law
in all their differences as the surest way
to preserve to all the blessings of life,
liberty and property.
Resolved, That we pledge ourselves
to the cultivation of. q. broad sentiment
of nationality which shall embrace. the
whole country and uphold the flag of
the Union.
Resolved, That as an earnest of our
whole purpose, we. hereby offer upon the
and all prejudice of education which
may tend to hinder the political unity
of Dur people.
Resolved, That in view of the numer-
ical equality between the white and col
Ored elements of our population, we
shall advocate III equal, distribution of
the offices of trust and emOlumenti in our
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
simply as another earnest and proof up
on our part, that the union we desire is
an equal union and not an Elusive con-
junction brought about for the sole ben
eft of one or the other of the parties to
the union.
Upon motion, unanimously adopted,
every member of the committee affixed
their signatures to the document. Their
names are:
I. N. Marks, Aristide Mary,
Hon. &C. Antoine, Thomas A. Adams,
Jules Aldige, Johnson Armstrong,
Laurent Auguste, G. A. Breaux,
DR.. C. Beard, DR.. j. A. Bruins,
Walter Bell, A. Britton,
Gene T BeauregardA. Bohn,