The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1874-08-28
THE CONVENTION OF THE PEOPLE.


The Convention of all those opposed
to Radicalism called to assemble at
Baton Rouge, was duly convened on
Monday, and organized with r. II.
Mari, Esq, of New Orleans, as perma-
nant President.
Nearly all the parishes in the State,
II not all, were represented by delegates
in person, and where there was a con-
test both contestants and contestees
We're admitted.
Harmony and the best Of spirits
seems to have attended the entire
deliberations of the Convention.
The Hon. J. G. Moncure, of Shreve-
port, a staunch Democrat, a peoples
man and a politician who in many
trying emergencies has shown himself
worthy and incorruptible, was nom-
mated for State Treasurer.
The platform of principles adopted
by the Convention has reached us, but
subject to the curtailments and elnascu-
lations of a telegraphic report, which
reads as follows:
We,the white people of Louisiana, em-
bEacing the democratic party, the con-
sentative party, the white mans party,
the liberal party, the reform party and
all others opposed to the kellogg usur-
patton, do 81 lemnly resolve and declare
that the Government now existing in
Louisiana, originated in and has been
maintained by force, in fraud, in oppo-
sitton to the will of II large majority of
the voters of the States, in opposition to
the principles of the Constitution of the
United States, and in violation of every
principle of justice and liberty; that the
dominant faction of the Radical party
in this State has by false and fraudulent
representation infa,ned the passions
and prejudice of the negroes as a race
against the whites, aud has thereby
made 1t necessary for the white people
to unite and act together in self-defense
and for the preservation of white civili-
cation that the rights of all men under
the Constitution and laws of the land
must be respected, guarded and pres
erved inviolate irrespective of race, col
or or previous condition.; but we deny
that Congress can constitutionally enact
laws to force the two races into social
union Or equality; that the white peo-
pie of Louisiana have no desire to
deprive the coloretl people of any rights
to which they are entitled, but we are
convinced that reform is iInperatively
demanded, and can he effected by elect
ing to office only white men of known
capacity and integrity, and we believe
n large number of colored men will
vote with us to insure Il government
which must be beneficial to both races
that we disc1ain earnestly any inten-
ton of carrying or attempting to carry
the approaching election by violence,
and that charges to this effect, emanat-
ing from Radical enemies, are without
foundation, and nre falsely made for
the purpose of obtaining the aid OF
military forces of the United States in
order to overawe the people, perpetuate
the existing usurpation, and subvert
the true principles of the government
that w. y. Kellogg is a mere usurper
and we denounce him as such; that his
government il arbitrary, unjust and OPP
pressive, and that it can maintain itself
only through Federal interference; that
the election and registration laws under
which this election is being conducted,
were intended to perpetuate the usur-
patton by depriving the people and
especially our naturalized citizens Of All
opportunity to register and vote, but
we announce distinctly that it is the
determination to have fair and free
election, and see that the result is not
changed by fraud or violence; that we
extend to all our race in every cline
the right hand of fellowship and cor
dial invitation to come and settle
among us, and unite their destinies
with ours. That while we are in favor
OF meeting punctually the payment
OF the Legitimate debts of Louisiana, we
are strongly opposed to the recognition
OF the dishonest and fraudulent obliga-
tions issued in the name of the State, and
we pledge ourselves faithfully to make
searching investigation in the matter.
we advise our people to vote against
the amendments of the constitution
proposed by the usurpjng Legislature,
and pledge ourselves on the restoration
of the government to honest hands to
provide for the payment of all honest
Indebtedness OF the State.
Ask ell by the 'FELEGRAI'tI to furnish