The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1874-08-22
The Address of the Committee
Of Seventy.

Upon tho white men of tho State
| alone devolvcs the salvation of the
State. And. the white men of the
State have the power, if they will but
use it. 1fnOt, why talk longer of the
superiority of race, Of tho moral pow
er of intelligence and education, Of
the triumph of mind over matterl
But to exercise this power 90 as to
secure its triumph, demands the ut
most harmony and the most cordial
union, not a union Of discorlant ele-
ments, pressed together by the pre-
sence and shadow of 4 vast danger,
but a union of hearts and sympathies,
cemented by feelings of trust in each
others courage and patriotism.
How to attain this harmony then
is tho next question. Indeed it is the
great absorbing question. In con-
sidering it the committee was aware
that two conventions had been called,
one by the State Central Committee
of the Democratic party, for the Oath
of August in New Orleans; and the
other by the Shreveport Times news.
paper, echoed by several country
journals, ard seconded by some able
and patriotic gentlemen from the
country, at Alexandria, for the LIST Of
September. ~.
The call of the Democratic Con-
vention was first uttered, and it's ad-
dress to the people of the State SEEM
ell to open the door for a perfect union
Of all conservative men of the entire
State. 1t appealed to "all conserva-
tive voters, without reference to past
political affiliation, to unite in the
election Of delegates to tho Conven-
ton" And if all conservative voters
unite in the selection of its delegates,
surely that Convention will fully re-
present their views and wishes. Here,
then, wc find a Convention called by
certainly the most powerful, ancient
and best disciplined party in the
State, where doors are go widely
thrown open that opponents of Rad
icalism in Louisiana may enter and
express their will.
But the address further Says:
"Recent discussions among our
people, and q deep and abiding de-
sire to unite all the elements opposed
to Radicalism, admonish ms not to
risk everything upon our own isolated
and unaided efforts although, in
this emergency, duty prompts us to
exert Oufselves as if We were DEPEND
ent upon our sole resources"
And again: "Therefore, forgetful
Of past differences, and casting from
our breasts all heart burnings, let
there be a cordial union Of all the con-
servativss of Louisiana. II
"The Democratic party has no en-.
mites to crafty, and holds out the
hand of fellowship to all those who
are disposed to aid us in this crisis.
National politics are subordinate in
this canvass. The vital issue ia re-
demption from a corrupt State Gov
eminent and local misrule."
Can any Conservative within the
State refuse to meet and confer with
men breathing q spirit like this I The
Committee Of Seventy Endorsed that
address. 1t saw in it an opportunity
tho Mst, perhaps, that could be az
forded-for union and harmony.
It thought from the call itself that
the proposed Convention was 10 be
a convention Of all the conservative
people Of Louisiana, in which all op-
ponents Of Radicalism, Of negro gu.
premacy and of tho Kellogg usurpa.
ton could give full and free expires.
sion to their views. This committee,
entertaining this view, could see no
use in holding two conventions. Il
therefore Endorsed tho Democratic
call. It afterwards requested the
Democratic Central Committee "a
change the place for holding the Con.
vention to Baton Rouge, which wae
promptly and periodically done. Thi.
was asked solely for tho sake of har.
m0ny-as a mere matter of conces.
sion to the wishes Of some of on,
brethren Of the country.
And now to that Convention We in.
vite and urge you to come. What
matter under whose auspices it j,
called P True that there is objection
on the part Of some of the Democrat.
ic name. Let such remember thai