New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-12-27

LostoR from Governor Wafm0shs
The following is the letter of Ex-Governor
Warmoth, addressed to the editor Of the
Bulletin, and dated December q, 1874:
In an article headed Political Equality"
you say: "Having succeeded, then. in OBJ
tanning the publication of the public schools,
the inviolability of the places Of public
amusement and resort, we have now but
one duty to perform, and that is to secure
a return to the system Of star cars on our
street railways"
With all due Difference to your Judgment,
can not refrain from saying that this sug-
gestion appears to me to be incOnsiderate
and unwise. Permit me, likewise, to remind
you that it could no be carried into practi-
cal effect, except at the expense OF pal
pable violation of the promises and pledges
made to our colored citizens by the Liberal,
the Reform and the Democratic parties in
1872 The Liberal convention which met in
New Orleans on the eighth of August, OF
that year, nominated F. E. Dumas, re-
spectacle colOred citizen. for the office OF
Secretary OF State That convention, in the
exalted standing of many OF its members,
was characterized, might challenge COM
parison with any political assemblago ever
called together in this State.
The Hon. w. w. Pugh presided, and
among those who took part in it's delibera-
tions were Manning, Texada, Leonard, Her
ron, Thomas, Yotng, Cage, and many other
of the best men ia the State-men whose
sincerity can not be questioned anu whose
Judgment should invite confidence. by
convention thus constituted and largely
representing the industrial interests and
the intelligence Of Louisiana, it was unanl-
mOusly-
"Resolred, That we recognize the political
and civil rights of all men, and pledge our
selves to maintain Them
The Reform Convention, in which there
were cOlOred delegates, passed the follow
| ing resolution:
sThat in the judgment of this convention
no permanent or enduring relief can De
obtained without cordial reconciliation
| between the two races inhabiting our terri
| tory, and for this reason, as well as from
| sense of Justice to the colored race, who are
now entitled to all the privileges and lmmu-
| mites of American citizens, we accept as
now fixed by the constitutions and laws
| both of the United States and of LouisiaI a.
When the fusion Of the Liberals, kr-
| formers and Democrats was effected, no
| change was made as to the platform. All.
| including the National Liberal and the Ma
tional Democratic platforms, were SO nearly
alike on this question that no divergence oil
| ODlnlOO arose. w utH tIAO luSAosA was "a
ranged, Mr.. Dumas, cOlOred man OF light
| COMPLEXION. was removed from the ticket.
and for him was substituted Mr.. Samuel
| Armstead, black man, as our candidate
| for Secretary of State. We went to the
people with that ticket having upon it the
names Of M Emery, and Penn, and Ogden.
| By aid of white and colored voters 1t was
elected by an average majority OF loooU'
and the promises and pledges under which
| - ,voo yypra tins ratified nv the
| people Of the State. Everywhere durin g
she canvass the Fusion speakers had as
| sured the colOred people that should the
Fusion candidates be successful every col
ored man, woman and child should have the
same rights, privileges and immunltles az
any white man, woman OF child under tne
constitution and laws OF this State and o.
the United States. DID not Governoi
McEnery, Lieutenant Governor Penn an0
Attorney General Ogden and Mr.: Ellis
and General Waggaman, and Genera
Sheridan know that articles two and thlr
teen of the constitution OF this state de
clare:
ART. 9. All persons, without regard 4
race, color or previous condition. etc., arr
citizens of the State. Ihel
shall enjoy the same civil, political ant
public rights and privileges. and be subJec
to the same pains and penalties.
ART. Is All persons shall enjoy equa
rights and privileges upon any conveyance
of O public character, and all places o
business or of public resort, or tor whic!
license is required By either State, parish o
municipal authority shall be deemed place
of q public character, and shall be openr.
| to the accommodation and patronage OF al
| persons, without distinction or dlscrlmlna
| ton, on account of race or color.
OF course, they knew OF the existence
these articles; and 1 should impute to then
an insincerity which il foreign TO their char
acter, if l should intimate that they ha'
any mental reservation when they TOOK tn
oath of office, which says tarticls 100
the constitution): Il accept the evil am
political equality of all men, agree not L
attempt to deprive any person or person.
on account of race, color or previous condl
ton. of any political or civil right. priv
ilege or Immunity enjoyed by any class o
men,"
refer YOU still to another declaration b.
the Conservative people made IN this city
on the - day - 1873. 1t was not mad
on the eve Of an elect:on-when hopes wer
faint and ambition high-but in an nour o
calm and considerable judgment, by {. larg
assembly of patriotic men who sought t.
| harmonic the races, and to quiet the ap
prehension of the colored people as to tn
purpose of the Conservative party in thl
State. At that meeting were present zen
| eral Il. L. Beauregard, Dr. CnOpln' L.
Marks, General Gibson, and other emlnen
gentlemen, and 1t was then declared tina
the purpose of the association was tn
"unifcation of the people" and the follow
ing declarations and advice were place.
before the people of the State:
Resolped, That henceforce we dedicat
ourselves to the uniticatiOn OF our people.
2. That by ''our people" We mean all men
of whatever race, color or religion, who ar
citizens of Louisiana, who are willing II
work for her prosperity.
3. That we shall advocate by speech, aud
pen and deed, the equal and impartial ex
ercise of every citizen of Louisiana o.
every civil and political right guaranteed
bv the constitution AMI laws of the UnlteG
States, and by the laws of honor. brother
hood and fair dealing.
4. That we shall maintain and advocate
the right of every citizen of louisiana ant
of every citizen of the United States t.
frequent at will all places of public resort
and to travel at will on all vehicles OF pub
lie con veyance, upon terms of perfect equal
ity with any and every other citizen; ant
We pledge ourselves so far as our influence
counsel and example may go. to make thu
right live and practical right, and tina
there may be no misunderstanding OF oul
| views on this point: