The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1874-08-12
THE MASS MEETING.

which has graced3 the hea" VI $put
first column for the, past five weeks,
has gone back to the case, the Mass i
Meeting has been chad and held,
and its historic words go down on
record in this the first number OF the
both volume of the Democrat. we
deyiate from the beaten and barren
track of publishing it's full proceed
ings, even if we had them, but con-
tent ourselves with giving room for
the Resolutions, which after all are
the platform and chart of our assem-:
bled people. Some time since we
wrote that the man who swears he
will help us drive out the thieves
and perjurers from public offices and
relegate the negro where he can be
least harmful and best protected, is
our brother and helpmate in this
contest. The Resolutions will clear
Improve that we have found plenty
of brothers and helpmates.
". T.. Sanford was President, Gov
ernor Z. O. Moore and John S. But
Ter Vice Presidents OF the meeting,
and f. r. Biossat, H. L. Daigre and
G. W. Stafford assigned as secreta-
ries, The Meeting was well and
largely attcnded-every Ward in the
Parish having its representation
, Rut as we did not start on a leader,
we commend to our readers the
| PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS, The State of Louisiana has
for six, wears been politically in the
:. hands of a corrupt body Of white adven-
turers and few ignorant but no less
: venal negroes, who have ruled her des-
J tiuies for the purpose Of pIunder ana TO
y Cypress by onerous taxation and UNJUST
d and iniquitous legislation her honest
; and tax-paying citizens, to the end that
the domination of her msetlable OPP
= pressors might be perpetuated; an q
WHEREAS, After having in the last
Y canvass fairly elected our State and Far
R ish tickets, we were deprived Of the
:. RIGHT to have our voice in the control OF
our affairs, by the strong arm of the
military force Of the United States Gov
, eminent. and that since then we have
q been compelled to submit to the State
t. administration Of q government which
we unhesitatinglT pronounce to be
II shameless usurpation, begotten in fraud
brought forth in tyranny and upheld b,
? force; therefore be it
!, RESOLVED by the white people of tn
rs Parish of Rapides in Mass Meeting as
r. sembled, That we recognize in the SUB
seouent action of the President OF tn
p United States in the controversies il
G. the States of Texas and Arkansas, an
T still more recently his refusal to furnis
- troops at Vickeburg, in the State c
1t, Mississippi, determination on his pai
ar to regard and respect the rights OF tn
:, sovereign States to settle their inferno
l.. disputes themselves, and the groun
IL for confident hope that when we sha
have again elected men to fill the office
ls' to be voted for this Fall, who are I'll
ice choice of the people aud who reile'
u their sentiments and are the represel
L. tatives of their interests, that he WI
ar not again interfere in this State to dele
r. the will Of the people
RESOLVED, That t is fact abo1
which there can be no difference
opinion, that the struggle in the Sta
-, of Louisiana to-day is one OF coup
VII tence against pgesumptous ignoranc
an honesty against the most unblushlI
IN corruption and the most bareiaced I'll
cality: and of justice and right AGAIN
es- profigate injustice and wrong most 10
tito and disrra eiul. That upon one 81
are arraye1 the honest masses OF /
ven people, without distinction OF color,W
,ss. earnestly desire a just and honest &c
ernment of the State, which will pi
ma tect the rights of all and promote its
ate ternal prosperity, and upon the 9th
=, the corrupt and debased office holde
'aa- and office seekers, with their ignora
VI followers, who desire power but
.- abuse it and seek Office only tor
,en- spoils.
'en- RESOLVED, That we have seen and
la now view with concern the purposes
the negroes united in solid body up
NY the basis of race alone, and that we
1t, plore their efforts to Afrlcanlze t
nar- State of Louisiana, and that self-p
lection, as well as a regard for the
5oss fare of our families, the security OF
jval property and our own pride OF ia
:, forces upon us the necessity OF oppos
Ioh- to this solid union Of the negroes
the one compact political body, like un
q of our own race in the coming campal
Z " RESOLVED, That while we propose
ated unite the white masses, we DO not
:a4 tend to wage any war, either OF fore
~" intimidation, upon the negro, nor 40
the either intend or desire to deprive
q n = of a.nv one OF the rights secured TO
by the Constitution and Laws, but
PIE the contrary, we seek to secure 1or
ated State government uiluei WIZ Ia,.
nv, and which shall dispense its bl
incs alike to all; which shall not
tinrs press either and shall be strong emo
- in the confidence of the support OF
VIC people, to suppress lawlessness, pu
b, as crime and restore Louisiana to res
abroad. that capital and immigra
= oi' NAV seek here secure home, to dt
1874, ope our natural resources and prof
hoos- our natural aava NAM re ,ooosstv for
nven- success in the coming campaign
pxan. great and the issue at stake beln
- less than the veal or woe of Louis
otem for years to come, is somomentouss,
will every true son of the State must &c
49, utn,ost RI secure the success of the
Leg n uias movement ~ s and no division il
and ranks or lukewarm support mus
"a Il tolerated for moment. Having
'eu az inaugurated the canyass in this Pa
W j d q to do I'M