New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-10-04

fair and just measure. marred by some de.
fects, but still vast improvement on the
old law, which must remain in force unless
I approved this bill, | announced my in
as the time came for entering upon regis
trati0n. ! have done so, and registration
has been actively and satisfactorily pro-
crossing for the past thirty days,
except when interrupted for brief period
by the instruction of September Ia. De-
string that there should be no possibility of
doubt as to the fairness of the registration,
voluntarily offered, before the registration
opened, to appoint one clerk to be named
by the opposition in every registration office
throughout the State. At the last election
We were denied all representation both in
the registration offices and at the polls.
have more recently proposed, through the
Republican State Central Committee, to
agree to the appointment of an advisory
board, to be composed of two Republicans
and two Democrats and an umpire to be
chosen by the four, with which board l de-
clared my willingness to advise and consult
in all matters relating to the appointment
of registration officers and the management
of registration throughout the State.
There is no just and proper safeguard that
can be suggested to me which l am not
willing to throw around the conduct of the
coming election. The Republican party is
ready to be judged by the verdict of that
election, provided it can be held without
can show at peaceable election that they
have majority of the qualified voters of
the State, we shall uncOmplainingly abide
the result. II, on the other hand, the Re-
publican party should uMphantly vindi-
cate its claims to the government, we shall
have right to expect the acquiesence of
our opponents, and the active support of all
daw abiding citizens throughout the coun.
try. In the event of our success
the nation can certainly leave the interests
OF this great State in the hands Of those who
in SO short a time and against such adverse
circumstances have done SO much to reduce
the burdens of thapeople and advance the
material welfare of the community, with
greater safety than would attend the sur
render of the lives and liberties Of moro
than $4,000 peaceful, industrious Republican
citizens to party which has never attempt
ed anything for the redemption of the State,
which, during its brief resumption of power
Immediately after the war, showed itself
utterly incapable Of honest government, and
which ha three times within the last six
years attempted to override the known will =
of the majority, twice by violence and once
by fraud. ask those Republicans Of the
North who have lent willing ear to the
indiscrimipate denunciatiOns of Northern
men VINO NOlu OIuCo III Uuo OOutI. AuO VI
the Republicans of the Southern States. to
reflect that these denunciations proceed
from those who hate Republican principles
everywhere, and who can see no virtue in
any man who is not identified with them
in sentiment or in interest, or in both.
1t consulted only my personal feelings l
would rather be relieved Of the position !
now hold than continue to retain it in the
face of the difficulties and calumnies which
beset mo at every step. But there are
higher questions involved than mere per.
sonal feelings. My resignation would
simply transfer the executive duties to the
next in rank, and would make no change in
the status of the State. Either the Repub-
lican party in Louisiana is in the right or it
is in the wrong. If We are right l owe it to the
national Republican party and TO the gem
eral government TO maintain my position.
If we are in the wrong, and the people at
the coming election should so declare, the
constitution and the laws of the State pro-
vide sufficient remedy. We confidently
await that verdict, and meantime ask from
the people generally, on this plain showing
of the good we have done and the evil We
have refrained from doing, more just judg-
ment and q more generous sympathy than
have yet been given 70 the Republican
State government Of Louisiana.
WILLIAM p. KELLOGG.