The weekly Louisianian., 1874-07-18
Plain TALK
aAN VOTERS.

i Il >
The Election 81. November next,
though determining the position of
only one State officer, the Treasurer,
and involving the selection OF the
General Assembly and members Of
Congress, is felt to be one5of more
than ordinary Importance, both to
the party, the colored people, and
the citizens generally OF Louisiana.
For the first time the cruel preju-
dieesathat. have sought to destroy or
abtidge our rights: in sectetaand
indirect ways, have appeared I'M
masked, and propose now, through
the Organization Of q party, based
upon determinations of race: and
color, to compass political success,
at the expense and cost, not only OF
the public quiet. and industrial
prosperity Of the State, but OF all
those civil and political privilege
belonging to the colored people,
and purchased by the blood and
treasure Of q civil war. From these
causes the contest will assume more
than ordinary harshness and be at
tended with more than ordinary
dangers 70 the peace Of the :commu-
nit and perpetuity of those friendly
and .amicable relations, that
.unaerlie the social and material
progress Of the State: Again
in this exceptional period Of Ameri-
can politics a period in which par
ties in the South are in transition,
and seeking their normal relations
increased significance attaches to
the election, because the complexion
given, the politics and government
of the country in the next two
years, will. probaly determine, and
certainly effect our vital interest,
political and otherwise, for many
years to come. Not only to avoid
past mistakes, but to cireumscribte
their evil consequences, and by a
wise forecast-antieipating and
providing for the ;exigencies of the
futre--sdiscretion; wisdom and
great vigilance must be exercised by
the voters in the conduct of The
approaching campaign, and the pre- pre-
sent is an occasion, when, on the
part Of the public journals, great
plainness of speech is not only jus
titled, but absolutely demanded.
Ths election OF delegates to the
Conventions no less than Of officers
to position of public trust, must be
made by the people. The people
must constitute and control The
primary assemblies, and the Con
ventions, by a personal presence
and effort that will result in nom
mating men both to convention
and to ofice@of their choice-meI
who will not only be their choice
but competent to represent thei'
interest, and who practically .willIst
represent them in their votes, il
spite Of either the buster. tricks
cajolery, promises or the money 0
the .d~emagogues and rings thai
may seek to control them. u Ns
man who seeks the position of
delegate, through the influence of I
bride, of either money Of Office, il
worthy Of public trust; andan.
man, duly elected, who betrays hi
trust through bribery or corruptio,
should meet with an opprobriun
and execration from his constitu
ents that will make him cover ant
drive him from the association Q
honorable men. More than. thi
the voters should let their servants
the delegates elect, know that the
will not ouly ecatch them with
jealous eye, bnt that they reserv
the right Of revision ouer their pola;
cal action, and if said delegates, $
far forget themselves and the right
of their constituents, as, under CO,
rupt influences of any sort to non
mate for Offices OF honor and trus
F6dd and Enthusiastically men, they, tt
people, will refuse their rnS6catso
of the nominations made, and