The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-12-19
THE LEGISLATURE.

l a
Monday, the 4th day of January, 1873, Il
the day fixed by law for the meeting OF tne
Louisiana Legislature. Every member o
that body who has been elected by the people
should be on hand to assist in its organiza
ton. In ordinary times, with but little q
stake, it has been usual for great many
members to be absent on the first days ses
sion, remaining away either to attend t.
business matters, or perhaps to enjoy the
Christmas holidays at home. Now, when i
is a matter Of life and death to the State, il
behooves every Democratic and Conservative
member to be present in the capital, if pos
sible, prior to the 4th Of January, in order to
be in readiness TO take his seat and to consult
with others of his party as to the policy te
be pursued in organizing the Legislature.
At the slow rate by which the Returning
Board is progressing with canyassing and
promufgating the election returns, it is
doubtful if they will complete their labors
before the time fixed for the assembling o.
the Legislature, and if our members are not
on hand the first day, the House may meet
with the Republican members in the
majority, and if the Returning Board should
refer the question Of contested parishes to a
Legislature SO composed, any one familiar
with the history Of Radical legislation in this
State can safely predict the result, which
would be wholesale seating Of Republican
members, regardless of the returns or the
demands of justice.
To obtain control of the House, the Radi-
Gals will resort to any means, no matter how
infamous or outrageous, and while they may
not use violence to accomplish their ends,
they will, if there is the least chance Of sue
cess, perpetrate any fraud necessary to assist
them in Their nefarious schemes.
Our majority is SO overwhelming that if our
members are true to themselves, their con-
stituents and the State if, laying aside all
thoughts of business or pleasure, they will
assemble, as they ought to do, in the capital of
the State intime to participate in the first day
session, to organize the Legislature as it ought
to be organized, not in the interest Of any party
or clique, butwith every member fairly secured
in his seat-if our members do all this,
which is their bounden duty, the deep laid plans
of their opponents will go for nought. The
people of Louisiana look to the Legislature
for their redemption from long suffering and
woe, and each and every Legislator selected
should teel proud Of the trust and confidence
reposed in him, and should be sensible Of the
l., g Jo~ - 81
trust and confidence is not misplaced. As
the chosen champions Of the people in the
cause of liberty against tyranny and oppres-
sion, our Legislators should be at their post
Of duty.
Let us not, at the very last hour, through
any want Of vigilance permit the fruits of our
great victory to be snatched from US by foe
which, though happily beaten and almost
overwhelmed, is ever watchful to take advan-
t; &c of the least false move OF thoughtless act
on our part. Dion Boucicault, in his play of
Belle Lamar, makes Col. Bligh exclaim to
jackson, when the latter makes an
imperative demand upon him to surrender in
thirty minutes, ''Nations have been lost and
WOA Al tAACv HAAuCCo' W. AAuos SOO w ~
that Louisiana is not lost in the thirty minutes
that succeed the opening Of the Legislature.
Upon the character of the next Assembly
rests the fate of the State for two years, and
the people who, for nine years have suffered
rs no people (save and except the citizens of
south Carolina) have ever suffered before
he people who have been shamelessly |
'obbed and cruelty oppressed in every way
he people who have seen their former slaves |
et up as masters over them, and rioting upon |
money wrung from their starving children;
ven this long suffering, patient, spat upon
'eople, look to the next Legislature as their
ne hope of speedy relief.
They look to it as the drowning man looks
0 the life-buoy thrown to him at night in
sea, when every other hope is
one. It is the one ray Of light in the imme-
late future, and if that be quenched, then
light and chaos are come indeed.
We have had long and hard campaign
70 have never wavered nor finched, ana we
eserve success. One more pull-tirm, de-
ermined and altogether-and haven of rest
I'LL be attained.