The weekly echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1868-1876, 1874-06-06

can alone hope 10r equal rights,
and for common peace and pros
/ perity
j believe in a strict obedience
to, and construction Of, The State,
and Of the United States, consti-
tutions, and il such amendments
to our State constitution SIS are
necessary I'd secure The enjoyment
Of the political privileges herein
after mentioned.
I believe it is The duty Of the
national government to Ievee the
Mississippi river, and to perpetu-
ally maintain its levees at its own
expense.
1 believe that our present State
4 government is a m0ckery Of the
rights and liberties of our people,
and the most audacious usurpation
Of political power in the history
Of the United States.
] believe that while it remains
the de fdcto State government. lit
Is the duty Of every citizen to obey
its laws, and to respect the author
! itY Of its officers,
! believe 1t is the daty Of our
State Legislature to enact a law
! providing separate public schools
for white and colored children.
I believe in encouraging a
free and 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 ia news
+ papers Of their choice.
i believe i'm an amendment OF
our election laws, abolishing the
cunbrous and expensive system
of registration, and requiring 81
every voter a residence of not less
Than one year in the parish where
III he votes
/ believe 10 the reduction oe the
. expenses of our State government
to the lowest possible limit, con-
sistent with an efficient admins
tration thereof, and in i conse-
qneEt redEction of taxation.
| believe in an amendment of
the revenue laws of the State. re-
ducing existing penalties for non
payment 81 taxes, aud providing
increased facilities f0r the redemp-
tion Of property sold at tax sales.
/ believe III encouraging. aud
Strengthening the hands of the
Democracy 81 tho lately repubh-
can States, by an open advocacy
of Democratic principles. and by
carefully avoiding an attitude of
hostility toward tie colored people
on account of their race.
/ believe ia impartial iustice to
all men, regardless of race.
| believe i'll 4 thorough reform
of our State and municipal GOV
'ernments, by the election Of none
but good and capable officers.
4 believe that no such reform
can be effective and permanent,
unless it begins ia the hearts 81
the people The source of political
power
1 believe that 40 government
can Be Just. peaceable, prosperous
and abiding, unless its rulers,
and the masses of it's people, re
coanize their individual account
ability 70 tie Supreme Raleg 81 the
Universe
Upon this declaration Of politi-
oal principles wifi stand al fan
ii this Senatorial contest / have
ENTERED Il reluctantly. because III
fear my election may involve 4
pEesent sacrifice oT my present
professional interests, and because
II never had, and have not now
the slightest desire for political
distinction ! sill reap no psou
MARY prodt bv mg election, and
The only honor II cap give NE viii
be that of kn0Wing shatmv fellow
citizens have trusted mo With Tie
care 0f their best political ipter
ests l.acknoWledge that I would
prize that honog, ana Quar3
it as a sacred trust. haSe