The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-12-23
He Stands by the Negro.
An Advocate Of Social Eqality.
A Bid for Negro Support.

A Bid for Negro Support.
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. %, 1874.
To the Editor of the Bulletin:
am a reader of the BULLETIN. com.
mend the general course pursued by it IN
reference to the important questions which
have affected us during the slast two years.
If at any time have differed from it in
opinion, my difference has been the dissent
of a friend, and not the opposition OF an adj
versary. Certainly there has, up to the pre-
sent moment, been nothing, in my Judgment,
requiring protest from me. But, as
citizen who ardently desires the peace and
order and prosperity of the community, so
disastrously assailed by the men who have
usurped power by means of midnight or
ders, Gatling guns, and ingenious frauds
supported but not legitimated by legal
iuaelery, must respectfully, but firmly
demonstrate against the suggestion, in your
issue of Sunday last, concerning the rights OF
cOlored citizens.
In an article headed political Equality "
YOU say: "Having succeeded, then, in obtain
ing the publication of the public schools the
inviolability of the places Of public amuse-
ment and resort, we have now but one duty
perform, and that is to secure return to the
system of star cars on our street railways
With all due Difference to your judgment,
cannot refrain from saying that this sugges.
ton appears to me to be inconsidsrate and
unwise. Permit me, likewise, to remind you
that it could not be carried into prac-
teal effect, except ut the expense Of q
palpable violation of the promises and
pledges made to our colored citizens by the
Liberal, the Reform, and the Democratic par
a: - 7 ihara1 Cn0vontinv, ~hich
met in New Orleans on the 9Th of August, of
that year, nominated F. E. Dumas, a respect
able colored citizen, for the Office ofSecretary
of State. That Convention, in the exalted
standing of many of its members, and in the
earnest patriotism, by which it was character
lied, might challenge comparison with any
political assemblage ever called together in
this State.
The Hon. w. W. Pugh, presided. and
among those who took part in its deibefa-
tions were, Manning, Texada, Leonard, Her.
ron, Thomas, Young, Cage, and many other
of the best men in the State-men whose sim
ment should invite confidence. By Q Con-
vention thus constituted, and largely
representing the industrial interests and the
intelligence OF Louisiana, it was unanimously
resolved
"That we recognize the political and civil
rights of all men. and pledge ourselves to
maintain them"
The Reform Convention, in which there
we're colored delegates, passed the following
resolution:
THAT, in the judgment of this Convention,
no permanent or enduring relief can be Oh
tanned without cordial reconciliation between
the two races inhabiting our territory, and for
this reason, as well as from a sense of justice
90 Al ~ xy1,n tva1k 20
all the privileges and immunities of American
citizens, we accept as settled, their civil and
political status as now fixed by the Constitu-
tisns aud laws, both of the United States and
of Louisiana"
When the fusion of tie Liberals, Reform
ers and Democrats was effected no change
was made as to the platform. All, including
the National Liberal and the National Demo-
cratic platforms, were SO nearly alike on this
question that no divergence of opinion arose.
When the fusion was arranged Mr.. Dumas, a
colored man Of light complexion, was re-
moved from the ticket, and for him was sub
stituted Mr.. Samuel Armstead, black man,
as our candidate for Secretary of State. We
went to the people with that ticket, having
upon it the names of McEnery aud Penn and
Ogden. By the aid of white voters and COL
ored voters, it was elected by IN average ma
jority of 10000, and the promises and pledges
under which it was presented were
thus ratified by the people of the State.
Everywhere during the canvass the Fusion
speakers had assured the colored people that
should the Fusion candidates be successful
every cOlored man, woman and child should
have the same rights, privileges and immuni-
ties as any white man, woman and child un-
der the Constitution and laws of this State
and of the United States. Did not Gov Nc
Emery, Lieut.. Gov. Penn and Attorney Gen
erAl Ogden and Mr.. Ellis, and Gen. Wsgga-
man, and Gen. Sheridan know that articles 2
and of the Constitution of the State de-
clare:
ART. 2. All persons, without regard to race,
color, or previous condition etc., are citizens
OF the State. They shall en-
joy the same civil, political and public rights
and privileges, and be subject to the same
pains and penalties.
ART. ID. All persons shall enjoy equal rights
and privileges upon any conveyance of pub
lie character, and all places of business or of
public resort, or for which license is re-
quired by either State, parish or municipal au-
thority, shall be deemed places of public
character, and shall be opened to the accom-
and patronage Of all persons. with
out distinction or discrimination on account
Of race color
OF course they knew Of the existence of
these articles; and I should impute to them
m insincerity which is foreign to their char
Acter, if I should intimate that they had any
mental reservation when they took the oath
Of Office which says (article 100 of the Con-
stituhon,: II accept the civil and political
equality of all men, agree not to attempt to
deprive any persons, on account of race.
color or previous condition, of any political
or civil right, privilege or immunity enjoyed
by any class OF men,"
refer you to still another declaration by
the Conservative people made in this city. on
the 18th day Of July, 1873. 1t was not made
on the eve OF an election-when hopes were
faint and ambition high-but in an hour of
calm and considerate Judgment by a large
assembly of patriotic men who sought to har-
monte the ;aces, and to quiet the apprehen-
sion of the colored people as to the purposes
of the Conservative party in this State. At
that meeting were present Gen. G. I. Beau
~. 4 ~