New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-10-06
4 CARD.
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The publication in the Times Committing me
together with the prominent c0l0red citizens men
toned therein. to the support Of the PkOGRAAxI
agreed upon by the Republican and DemOcra,i.
conference committees, relative to registration
and election. assigns to me q POsIr1ey that All
nn VIM to occupy and that do not held: ant
titude.
Not professional politician. and an aspirant 70,
no Office. am, nevertheless POSITIVE in my pOliti
cal convictions, and a pronounced Radical Repub
lIcan: my REPEALiCANIsM consisting in principles
That give equal and exact justice to every citizen
and my RApicALlsM in such adherence to these
principles 'ts not only precludes the violation OF
the rights OF Others, but fOrbids submission to the
Infringement. in the smallest degree, of my own
rights. do not approve these called cOnces-
slons or compromises growing out of the confer
cree committees representing tho two political
First-Because 1t is not necessary for the pur.
pose, Ostensibly sought to be subserved to wit: a
fair electiOn-embracing full registration, a free
ballot, and an hOuest canvass OF the votes cast
The time has been in Louisiana when votes were
manufactured, and ballots were manipulated SO
that the declared result of election did not
always and necessarily represent the popular will
But that time has passed and to the credit of the
citizens, alike of each political party it may be
said that for the future the people are determined
that neither registrars, returning boards nor ex-
ecutives, shall set up governments in Louisiana
otherwise than as the will of the majority of
voters determines. The public mind, irrespective
of party. is so enlightened relative to popular
the same, and SO determined that said abuses
shall not be repeated, through either violence or
fraud, that political compromises are unnecessary
to give the protection sought by all honest men,
The simple concert Of action. the part of
the individual citizen. Republican Democrat
tves Of the citizen, followed up by an
Independent, kindly and vigiaRt spirit by the
different pol tical elements. is and always will be-
the trickstars and traders to the cOntrary-sufi
Gent amply sufficient to secure a fair, popular
election under Republican institutions. In the
second place, the SO called compromise or adjust
ment, unnecessary as deem it for the accomplish
ment of the purpose that dignfed it, has pro-
ceeded under such circumstances and even
tlated in such form, as to embarrass and defeat
the objects seemingly sought, rather than to fur
theY them. The composition Of the advisory and
returning boards-the first body unauthorized
by law and without authority. and the second
inch0ate and ecOntingent-thOugh seemingly fair
aud promising OF peace. to my mind suggests pOlit
trading. that may result in the perpetration of
wrong upon the cOlOred citizens, numerically in the
majority in the State. yet from their surroundings
least protected and most liable to be vctimzed by
the demagogues and schemers of either party, who
seek the management OF public affairs; and this
pending possible wrong is compensated by no suf
fcient guarantee that any offsetting gooa will be
secured by the State or general public. The Demo.
crats are not supposed to be painfully affected
lcan representatives of the executive, who may
remain on these boards. Judging the future by the
past. will hardly excel their Democratic associates
large class Of voters whom l represent. Under
these circumstances. to my mind. the compromise
suggests trading. as in the near future. in which
the material will be furnished by race and the
political speculatOrs and beueficiaries by the
other. and the 60 called concessions. made under
the auspices OF the executive. will bring not the
harmony OF honest compromise. but the sacrifice
Of abandonment. and the popular discomfort that
always follows political scheming.
In this connection permit me TO cav that. SO far
a Republican victory IS desirable and important
in Louisiana il is to be wen by the votes OF that
class of our citizens who constitute mainly the
membership of said party, aud whose newly
qured franchises. in some sort. are put in question
and jeopardy in every political contest These
admins, ration. and in the public press and other.
wise are held to strict account for all the Ills
brought upon the State by either the incompe.
tency or dishonesty of the men who have reached
official position through their ballots. Yet. really,
their responsibility. as matter OF fact. IS very ill.,
direct and limited. We have eie vated men to
power. very generally not of our Glass; and not
frequently without devotion to either our interests
or The interests of the State. but here our tunc.
tons cease. We share, neither. to any consider.
able extent. III the CONTROL OF the government
which we have created, nor participate in the
have won. We are held responsible for the blum.
ders abuses and crimes of the Republican admin.
istrations of Louisiana. but are not permitted
either to avoid correct or repair the same. by the
concession to us of any appleciabe power and III.
tiuence in the conduct of public affairs
Now. in all charity to our white political assOa
GATES and ali respect to our political opponents
We ask not only such an administration OF law
will guarantee our personal and political right in
ment of a government for whose mistakes and
faults are made SO largely responsible. as that
we may become, not agents for other mems vices
nor tools for other mems purposes, but potential
for gOod-and be furnished an opportunity to con-
tribute our proportion of influence and help in
common with the honest white citizens of Louis
iana in furtherance of the thorough reforms so
earnestly desired by the people, and SO impera-
lively demanded by the State; and say. in behalf
of my people. that We are competent to exercise,
justly and effectively, the functions clam.
There is. apart from any partisan feeling,
and aside from any personal ambition or
discomfort, not only dissatisfaction with the
present condition of thlngs; but q hearty
disapproval among Republicans of the vi
cious and questionable methods by which our
present embarrAssmeDts and distresses have been
brought upon u.s. l have favored consultation
among leading citizens, looking to such action and
such expression Of views would correct the
offensive abuses herein referred and complained
of.
Demanding nothing but what is reasonable and
equitable and failing therein, instead of ndOrsing
the adjustment made by the conference commit
tees should favor the part of the colored cti.
zens as most conducive to the success of Repub-
licanism state and national. and also the perma
nent public interest aud public content, such indie
pc ndent action. by standing alOof in the present
campaign or otherwise. would show the party
on either side that we do not propose to
be inundated by the one class used by the
other.
oc6 lt2p ARISTIDE MARY.