The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-09-15
Address of Democrats and Con-
SeryatiyeS of Louisiana,


seryatiyes of Louisiana,
/ New ORLEANS, Sept. 5.-The Demo
cratic and Conservative State Central
ICommittee have issued the following ad-
dress: ...
New ORLEANS, Sept. 5, 1874.
To the People of the Union:
For nearly two years the people of
Louisiana have persistently applied for
|aid to the Judicial, Executive and Leg
Eislative Departments of the General
|Government. Tue Supreme Court on
account of its limited jurisdiction, found |
sitself without power to remedy the wrong
Iperpetrated by the Federal District Judge
fof Louisiana. The Executive remitted
Ithcm to Congress as the proper tribunal,
.sast Congress overwhelmingly reported
~ lsstii branches that while recognizing
the grievance complained of signalized
itseR by a mastery inactivity, the real
purpose of which was TO leave the Kel-
logg usurpation in power. The only
means left to Louisiana to redeem her
self from this usurpation is by participa-
ting in an election held under the very
auspices of the usurper himself, armed
with special enactments of his opinion
by the legislature to secure his retention
in power, and with other and approp pri-
ate acts to be signed and. d.promulgated by
himself according to the circumstances.
Already has he substantially violated his
solemn promise not to sign the election
law by signing and promulgaiing a re-
Idistricting law, which, in his hands, is
more potent instrument for political mis-
chief. In the meantime the people are
ground down by taxation for unholy
purposes; property finding no purchas-
ers at tax sales is by the wholesale adju-
dicated to the State, and upon the subsi-
idence of desolating and widespread
overflow, the municipal authorities have
been swelling up the local taxes, and yet
there is no attempt atrevolution in Lou
isiana. Not satisfied with driving the
people to move for redress in this vicious
circle, the usurper and his coadjut9rs are
falsifying the facts, inventing a war of
races, and magnitying to unlimited nun
bers Of murders and atrocities; have
Econspired to bring about Federal inter
ference in local affairs, under pretence of
protecting the rights of citizens, but for
the known purpose of intermeddling in
the coming election. The very acts OF
violence which occurred in several par.
| ishes have been deliberately instigated
by themselves, and their object being, as
asserted by one of their number, to
FORGE LIGHTNING IN LOUISIANA, THAT
THERE MIGHT BE THUNDER IN THE NORTH.
They have, however. succeeded in i'm
pressing upon the President the belief
| that, unless speedily checked, matters
must become worse, until life and prop
erty there will receive no protection from
the local authorities. The President re-
ssraitssall proceedings for the protection of
the South to the law department of the
government to be directed by the Attor-
ney General, in accordance with the pro-
visions of the enforcement acts, and he
+, orders the troops in readiness for that
purpose The people Of Louisiana. do
not object to United States troops being
stationed in their midst. These troops
may as well be stationed iu this State as
in any other State, for Louisiana is a
component part of the Union; the fede-
raj Judiciary may, and does, as hereto
| fore, continue to administer rigidly the
enforcement acts of Congress. No com
plant on this score has been or can be
made against Louisiana by the most fas
tidious civil rights partisans; but the
people of Louisiana do protest against
the judicial persecution in store for them,
and against the oppressive abuse of Fed
eral troops, sent to assist in executing
the enforcement acts, but really to over
awe the people in the coming election
Troops at the bidding of the u S Mar
sal, who is the chairman Of the State
Central Committee, and assisted by the
U. S. District Attorney, the pillar of the
Louisiana Republican party, forbade the
wanton and arbitrary arrest of political
adventures by the hundred, under or
ders issued by petty U. S. Commission
ers working in party traces. ,a..-
|
clothed in the garb of judicial proceed
ings, is barely concealed under the ex-
ultant toreof the following dispatch from
the U. S. District Attorney of Louisiana,
an officer of the law department:
WASHINGTON, Sept 8, 1874.
Governor W. P. Kellogg:
! Just from Long Branch. The Gov
ernment will enforce order in the State.
Steps will be promptly taken to crush
the new rebellion. j. r. BEcKwIrH.
Attorney General Williams circular
instructing his subordinates to proceed
with all possible energy and dispatch to
detect, expose, arrest and punish the per
petrators of these crimes, will be execu-
ted with vengeance during this politi-
cal campaign, but no attention need be
paid to his recommendation of course,
that no interference whatever is hereby
Intended any political or party action
not in action of law. nor much stress to
be laid on his statement about atfording
protection 10 all classes of citizens, white
and colored. Since it is a matter of no.
toriety,the United States Supreme Court
interprets the enforcement acts, as pass
ed, exclusively for the protection of col
ored citizens, besides the people opposed
to the Kellogg usurpation have
NEVER QUESTIONED THE RIGHT OF CoLoRED
VOTERS .al
to register, and vote to nominate their
candidates, and install them whenever
elected, and they have repeatedly and ex-
pressly plighted themselves to maintain
j., these rights inviolate as to local disturb
ances which have occurred. They did
not spring from any spirit of hostility
to the colored people, but it was una
voidable outbreaks arising from oppres-
sion and tyranny In this state of emer,
gency
THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA APPEAL TO
THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE UNION
for hearing. They ask for the juGg-
mont of an enlightened public opinion.
They assert their fidelity to the nation,
bnt they spurn an odious usarpation
gnawing at the vitals of the State. They
respect and cheerfully give obedience to
the Unnora1 rovor,-o,+ l>,t tLo,, d;o