Richland beacon., 1874-07-04
Gov. McEnery's Speech.


n half in length, from Gov. JOHN
1t is not astonishing that !.
he should have been welcomed by /
the peoplc Of Hichland, or that they
should have crowded the house to |.
hear him, for he has always been an
especial favorite in this vicinity. His
description of the condition Of our
State. and her impending ruin, found
an echo in the heart Of every true
man and woman who heard him.
And when he pointed out the manner
in which the white people were to
combine and gain victory over
ignorance and corruption, the en-
thusiasm Of his hearers knew no
bounds. Never has an idea been
greeted with warmer shouts of appro-
baton. 4 white mans government
and White Mans Party is what
has been uppcrmcst in the minds Of
all honest men in this State since the
election Of 1872. The Governor was
gra,ifcd at the reception given him
by the people Of Richland, next to
his own Parish, he said, Richland
had been first TO express her choice
for him as standard bearer in -. 1t
was unnecessary to say why he had
been absent from his home for the last
two years. As long as the interest
of the State required, he had remained
in New Orleans, but satisfied that his
presence there was of no further
benefit to the people, be had transfer
red his sphere Of action to Washing
ton city. An interview with the
President convinced him of the utter
hopclessness Of relief from him. In
Congress we had many things to con-
tend against. The systematic system
of lying and spreading false news by
the Radical party in this State,
coupled with the fact that in some
instances our own people had not
been true TO themselves, proved great
hindrances to our cause. Yet our
misfortunes had not been entirely
fruitless. The lesson of Louisiana
has benefited Texas and Arkansas.
The fruits of our struggle are seen
to-day in the happy condition of the
neople of these two Siates. He was
satisfied the Federal Government
would never again Interfere with the
liberties of another State.
The Governor was not at all de-
spondent !; to him, our political pros
poets were brighter than for years.
The Democratic party, he thinks, will
elect the next President; while even
now the Radical party in the North
and West is disintegrating from the
mass Of corruption it has to bear. 1t
is proper that we should adhere to
the Democratic party, and selfpre-
servation demands that all white vo-
tiers should combine for their own
protection. The Governor particu-
larly dwelled upon the moral, social
and financial ruin into which we "".
been precipitated by the coi'so''u".e'
uoss of ;snor.nt voters controlled by
.,.ls.,cal adventures. Relief must
be had speedily, and we could only
look for it in the organization of a
White Mans Party The course of
the Radical party had driven the
people to it. Some thought it would
have a tendency to array the two
races the Governor thought differ
emily. He said that a knowledge on
the part of the negro party that the
white people were thoroughly organ
lied, would have the effect of pre-
venting any trouble, and especially Of
checking the aggressive tendency and
inclination of that party. Disorgani.
cation among the whites serves to en-
courage the negro in his aspirations
. to assume control of our common.
wealth, and domnecr over what they
know to he the superior race.
Thorough organization will command
that respect due to the intelligence,
virtue, honor and. patriotism. found
alone in the white race.
In tSe-Sove, we have only sketched
the Governors speech, and have not
confined ourselfto his language. We
would be glad to give the address
entire, had we time and space. For
soundness in principle, eloquence in
diction, depth of patriotic feeling and
devotion to the cause Of good govern.
ment, it is unsurpassed by any
oratorical effort to which We have
ever listened. He denounced, in bit