The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-10-15
THE RADICAL CONVENTION.


of every lover of his country, but were by no
means new to the members Of the Convention.
More than ten years, he said, had passed since
the clash of aims had ceased.
More than six years had passed since the States
were reconstructed upon principles Of liberty TO
all: it had been reasonable to suppose that the
tree of liberty then planted would flourieh. The
Republican party had planted and watered, and
had right to suppose that it would become
beacon ligh. to the world. That life, liberty and
property have been in constant reril, and how
few have been punished.
If not for the authority of the United States,
perhaps this convention could not meet here in
peace: but perhaps the gallant Tennes seeans who
stood SO gallantly by the Union would have sus-
tanned us. But in many parts of the land we
would not meet but for the protection of the
General Government. He regretted this state of
affairs, but it was entirely due to the Demo-
cratic party or secession party rather, that such
lamentable state OF affairs existed.
When he referred to tho Democracy he meant
the secession Democracy, and not the old Union
Democracy of Jackson.
These Democrats were brought up to believe,
and believed honestly, that secession was right,
and that it was to the intereet of the cotton
States to get away from the Federal Government,
but having put their all at stake in 1860, and
having lost, after a four years struggle, their
minds were not prepared for anything
ished, but they still expected to make use Of
the colored population for their own ends, and in
some way to control their labor but when it be-
came the settled policy of the United States to
make the colored men in realty, clothed with all
the powers and rights OF citizens, they rebelled
against it. Now, let us revise the picture. Sup
pose that Grant had surrendered to Lee, and
that conventions had been called at the North to
declare that slavery is forever established; that
all bonds, State and Federal greenback obliga
tions, ETC., collected in the war, against the South,
be void; that all Confederate bonds, persons,
ETC., be forever held sacred and inviolate. How
long do you think it would be before the people
of the North would be. ONE reconciled to such o
state Of things: Then you can see how the seces.
sion element look upon the present state OF
affairs. They are as much opposed to it as they
ever were. They have to overthrow the Repub-
lican party by showing that Republican recon.
struction, upon the basis Of civil and political
equality, IL an utter failure.
punished. We must address ourselves to the
consideration of how this state of affairs can be
changed; until it is changed, we cannot hope for
peace in the land. The Government has said
that the reconstruction shall be sustained, and
has had recent occasion to exercise it's power n
one OF the Gulf States.
Fortunate was it for the country that there was
a man with the nerve to do his duty in the exc
cutive chair. Now, what shall be done? Every
man here, it is presumed desires to see the State
authorities preserved, and used in protecting
life, liberty and property. Such state of things
once existed and why cannot be again? Nothing
prevrnts, but change of public opinion:
There are only two ways of inIorcing law-one
is by intelligent public opinion and the other by
military power. Why is it that men are unwilling
to serve as Grand Jurors and witnesses-are
loath to testify? Why is it that petit jurors will
not convict when Grand Juries have indicted
Because there is an underlying public sentiment
that will not sustain the laws.
In the speakers own State, every citizen took
an oach not to interfere with the equal freedom
before the law yet how could they join in the per-
petration of such outrages as are committed, ex-
cept for public sentiment in opposition to law.
Cannot the people of the South be brought to see
that it is vain to make war against this idea of
civil and political equality?
Can they not see that it is vain to war longer
against the Federal Government, for despair of
al Government must be invoked to give protec-
ton to life, liberty and home. It will be one Of
the most solemn duties of this Convention to
consider when and under what circumstances
this invocation shall be made.
We do not desire to see these fair States of
ours turned over to military rule unless there is
no other alternative. The Federal Government
has power to use the military as posse to aid
the civil laws, and when they are not sufficient,
Congress has power to make such laws as may
be necessary. This we should invoke until these
terrible evils are eradicated. Then peace will
smile and D. .osperity will return to our gamers
under the Federal Constitution.
A man cannot be indicted except by jury in
CQG OlStrlCL WucTc LIlc CIllu0 Is COluNiGteUs Ou-
der this law the Ku-Klux, or, as they are now
called, the White Leagues, can have grand and
petit iuries composed. Jurors should be COM
PEELED to declare under oath that they do not
belong to this White League or ku-klux. Under
the present law judges are not authorized to
make such interrogatories.
He could never understand how murder. arson
and kindred crimes could be considered political
They are nothing but felonies. Where is the
Southern chivalry shown in going in disguise and
,r1o 1,of nnt
the chivalry the South displayed in the late war,
nor in the Mexican war, nor in the war OF 1872.
In conclusion he thanked the Convention for
the honor conferred upon him and urged that IN
the solemn deliberations of the Convention,
which were to effect every home in the South !;
which would touch the homes Of the North and
would 90 far to show to the eyes Of the world
wheter we were capable of self-government or
not to act with view to the vast responsibilities
placed upon them.
We we're not called upon to pour out our hearts
blood like him who gathered the spears in his
hand and said, ''Make way for liberty, and die"
But we are called upon to devote the best powers
of our intellect to this great task.
At the conclusion OF Gov Parsons remarks,
which were loudly applauded, the Vice Presi-
dents came forward and took seats on the ros-
trum.
On motion of J. H. Speed. Of Alabama, it was
resolved that each State, when voting, be en-
titled to the same number of votes as in the cleo
toral college. The rules of the House of Repre-
santatives were adopted.
A lively debate sprang up on a proposition to
appoint Committee on Address and Resolutions
as to whether the committee should be composed
Of one or three from each State.
Mr.. Pinchback, Of Louisiana, said he favored
large committees, as there was desire foe q
small notoriety here he had seldom seen in such
body. If the members were not all polnted
on the committee the convention could not ad-
jouru until all had chance to amend the reports
of the committees.
For this reason, with view OF saving time, he
would prefer that the committees be composed OF
two or three members, as some matters would
come up which ought not to be considered unless
some of these ambitious members got chance
to air their eloquence in the committee ROOM.
John Brown of Tenncssve, insisted that the
Committee on Resolutions be composed at least
of one from each State. Then, on motion, it was
ordered that committee OF three from each
State be appointed on resolutions. to whom all
resolutions shall be referred without debate.
1t was then resolved to appoint committee OF
one from each State, to prepare an address upon
the condition of affairs in the Southern States.
A debate arose as to the number to be appoint
ed on the committee on address, to which the
delegation from Mississippi wanted larger num-
her than One.