The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-08-29
Platform OF the Baton Rouge
Convention.

We, the white people of Louisiana, ON
bracing the Democratic party the Consery-
alive party, the White Nuns party, the
Liberal party, the Reform party, and all
others opposed to the Kellogg llsurpation,
do s0lemnly resolve and declare
/. That the government now existing IN
Louisiana originated III and has been maiIi-
tanned by force and fraud in opposition to
the will Of large majority OF the voters OF
the State, IN opposition TO the principles OF
tho Constitution of tie United States, and
IN violation of every principle of justice and
liberty.
Q That the dominant faction of the Rad
ical party in the State has, by fraudulent
representations, mfi;imed the passions anI
preJudiccs-0f the negroes, as q race, against
tie whites, and has thereby made it neces-
saTy for the white people to unite and act
together in selfdefence and for the presel-
walton Of white civilization
3. That the rights of I'LL men, under the
constitution and laws of the land, must be
respected and preserved inyioiate, irrespec-
tive ofrace, color,orpreyious condition but We
deny that Congress can constitutionally en-
nact laws to enforce the two races into so
cial union or equality.
1. That the white people of Louisiana,
have no design to deprive the colored peo-
pie OF any rights to which they are entitled,
but We are convinced that the reforms i'm
peratiyely demanded can be effected only
by electing to office white men of known
capacity, and we believe that large mum
bers of colored citizens viii vote with us to
secure government which must be bene-
fetal alike to both races.
S. That we disclain earnestly any inten-
tions OF carrying or attempting to carry the
election by Violenee, and that charges to
this effect emanatiag from our Radical en-
emies arc without foundation, and arc
falsely made for purpose of obtaining the
1f fln rfrs,,wy
States IN order to overcome the people, per-
petuate tho existing usm patton and subyert
the principles of the government.
3. That w. T. Kellogg is a mere usttrper,
and We denounce him as such that his gov-
eminent Is arbitrary, unjust and oppressive,
and that 1t can maintain itself only through
Federal interference
Z. That the election aud registration laws
und5r which this election is being conducted
were intended to perpetuate the usurpation
by deprIvlng The people, and especially our
naturali2cd citizens, of an opportunity to
register and vote; but we announce dis
tinctly that it is the determination of tho
people TO have fair and free election, and
to see that the result is not charged by
fraud or violence.
8. That we extend to all of our race in
every CLINE the right hand of fellowship.
and a cordial invitation to come and settle
among us, and unite their destinics with
ours.
9. That while we are in favor of meeting
the payment of the legitimate debt of Lou
isiana, we are opposed to the recognition of
the dishonest and fraudulent obligations is
sued in the name OF the State, and we pledge
ourselves to make searching investigation
into the matter. We advise our people to
vote against the amendments to the CON
stltution proposed by the usurping legisla-
ture, and pledge ourselves, on restoration of
tae government to honest hands, to provide
for the payment of all the honest indebted
ness of the State.