The weekly echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1868-1876, 1874-05-30

after mentioned.
4 believe it Is tile duty of The
natioeal government 70 levee the
Mississippi river, and to perpetu-
ally maintain its levees at its own
expense.
l believe that our present State
government is q mockery of the
rights and liberties Of orr people,
and the most oudacious nsurpation
OF political power ia the history
Of the United States
/ believe that while it remains
the de 5acto State government, it
is the duty Of every citizen to obey
its Laws, and to respect the author
ity Of its officers
/ believe it is the duty of our
State Legislature to enact law
providing separate public schools
for white and eolored children.
! believe in encouraging a
free aud independent press
throughout the State, by abolish
ing the present system Of Official
journals, and by leaving the peo-
pie free to publish all legal and
judicial advertisements il news
papers Of their choice.
1 believe in an amendment Of
our election laws, abolishing the
cumbrous and expensive system
Of registration, and requiring Of
every voter a residence of not less
than one year in the parish where
in he votes.
l believe in the reduction Of the
expenses Of our State government
to the lowest possible limit, con
sistent with an efficient admins,
tration thereof, and in a conse-
quert reduction of taxation.
/ believe in an amendment of
the revenue laws Of the State, re-
ducing existing penalties for non
payment Of taxes, and providing
increased facilities for the redemp
ton of property sold at tax sales.
l believe ia encouraging, and
strengthening the hands Of the
Democracy Of the lately republi-
can States, by an open advocacy
Of Democratic principles and By
careluly avoiding an attitude Of
hostility toward the colored people
on account of their race.
| believe In equal impartial JUS
tice to all men, regardless Of race.
| believe il q thorough reform
Of our State and municipal goy-
ernments, by the election Of none
but good and capable officers.
| believe that no such reform.
can be effective and permanent,
unless it begins IN the hearts Of
the people-the source oil political
powor.
| believe that 40 government
can be just, peaceable, prosperous
and abiding, unless its rulers
and the masses of its people re-
cognize their individual account
ability to the Supremo Ruler Of the
Universe.
Upon this declaration of politi-
cal principles / will stand or fall
ia this Senatorial contest. [ have
entered it reluctantly, because i.
fear my election may involve a
present sacrifice of my present
professional interests, and because
4 never had, and have not now
the slightest desire for political
distinction 1 will reap no pecu-
MARY profit BY my election. and
the only honor it can give ne viii!
be that Of knowing thatmy fellow
citizens have trusted me with the
care OF their best political intor-
ests. ] acknowledge that 1 would
prize that honor, and guard
it as n sacred trust. I have
announced myself as d candidate.
because / have a vested interest
in the happiness and prosperity
of Louisiana; because 1 wish my
children to have the benefit 81 d
just and good government when
they become OF age; because |
believe that, unless men Who hon
estlY desire a reform ia our State
fnVnrntnnnt nra v,1lIs,,