The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-10-09
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF LOUIS.
lana.

HEADQUARTERS DEMOCRATIC AND CONSERVATIVE
STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE,
OF the State of Louisiana.
To the People Of Louisiana
The Conservative people cf LOUISIANA IN Con
ventiOn assembled ct Baton Rouge, determined,
with remarkable unanimity, to participate in this
political campaign. It did not occur to them
that in doing, they might, even by indlrectlon,
give any color or recognition to tho usurpatlOn.
The Radical leaders and managers felt this
spontaneous movement of the masses, and they
were not slow in devising schemes IN keeping
with the artfully contnved machinery OF the reg
istratiOn and election avs, III order to Illustrate
the result. 1t became evident that fair and
honest registration and election was again out OF
the question.
This matter was tested when application was
made by the Conservatives for an equal represen-
tasion on the boards of registration. This appli-
cation was unhesitativeiy rejected; but, as q
matter Of grace, the de fdcso Governor proposed
that five names from each ward of New Orleans
and parish OF the State should be submitted to
him by the Conservatives, with the promise that.
il any of the persons indicated were suitable. a
nomination az clerk Of registration, would be
rendered to him; otherwise an outsider, giving
what he considered proper guarantees would be
appointed As this was . barren promise. mere
shift, the interview there ended.
Not discouraged, however, at having to cope
with such fearful odds, and with organized fraud
staring them in the face. the Conservatives still
adhered to their original purpose, determined to
redouble their vigilance to ferret out expose and
defeat all fraudulent Vaccinations.
In the meantime the feelings of the people had
been running high. Taxation imposed by
usurpatory government, amounting to confisca-
ton, had been and WAS being inexorsbly enforced
Police juries, even in recently overhowed dis
tricts, had been criminally engaged in swelling
up local taxes beyond possibility OF compliance
on the part of owners Of property.
Pecufation and corruption were rife through
out the State. standing army OF Metropoll-
tans organized to overawe the people, when not
policing the city of New Orleans, were occasion
ally invading the rural parishes with all the para
phernaa of war, to enforce, not the DEGREES OF
courts, but mere edicts an0 execut1vee orders;
and, to leap the climax, the usurpatory Govern
ment appeared constantly engaged IN melting
hostlities between the blacks and whites, for the
nefarious purpose Of resping political advantages
eveu at the expense OF both races. The colored
people had been crafty led to form themselves
into secret societies, popularity known as black
leagues.
them and they we're melted to feelings OF race
hostility, although in reality they had nothing to
fear from tho whites, whose feelings and inter-
ests prompted them, on the contrary, to cult
vato mutual relations of amity. Under such I'M
toward events it became . matter Of prudence
on the part Of the Conservatives to organize
white tongues for their own protection, should
necessity arise.
bear arms, would seem to be an indisputable
proposition. And yet the de fasO Governor pre-
eunied to question this right-nay, he boldly
attempted to disarm the white people.
The result was the 14th Of September, 1874.
That memorable day has convinced the col
ored people that they have nothing to fear from
their white fellow citizens. 1t has opened the
ewes of the people Of the Union to the impossi-
biity Of . war Of races under our civilization.
That day is An era in the history OF the recon-
struction of the Southern States.
The President hiss reinstated in power the
Kellogg Government; but, in the light OF these
events the oft-lepeated assertions that Loulsi-
ana had acquiesced in the usurpation are effect
ually disproved.
The Dispersion OF the metropolitan brigade,
the Generalization of the colored militia (the
only militia known in this State), and the collapse
Of the state Government ct the touch Of an out
raged people, have taught the usurper that mis-
rule must have some limits. Hence, the Presi.
dental proclamation was no sooner heralded, but
he managed to inaugurato conferences to adjust
the troubles. A committee Of conference, select
ed BY him, met . similar committee selected by
Gov McEnsry and Lieut.. Gov. Penn.
After several days labor the conferences were
brought to . stand by the refusal Of the Repub-
licans to procure three vacancies nom among
the five members OF the returning board OF cleo
lions, with the underss andlng that two vancancies
would be filled by Conservatives, while the third
vacancy would be filed BY . Republican accept
able to all parties. Their counter proposition
MAS that two vacancies would BE- allowed to the