New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-06-18
VOLUME VIII-NO. go,
MEETING IN WEST BATON ROUGE
ALLAN ON THE WHITE LEAGUE
THEOPHILE'S TIMELY TALK


the trees at the courthouse square on Satur-
day. June Is, 1874, for the purpose of listen
ing to the actresses of distinguished gentle
men. and especially to the Grafton promised
by Hon. T. T. Allan, the Representative of
this parish in the State Legislature. fine
band of music was in attendance. that
played popular airs at intervals during the
proceedings. A large number of persons
came on horseback and in carriages from
distant parts Of the parish, as well as many
from the neighboring parishes.
By suggestion Of the committee on ar
ragements, Frame A. Woods, Esq, was
elected chairman, and Oscar Holt, Esq,
secretary.
The chairman introduced Captain j. C.
Stafford, Of Baton Rouge, as the first speak
er, who gave some admirable advice in re-
gard to electing honest and honorable men
to office. His remarks were much applaud
ed and gave general satisfaction. The next
speaker was George A. Griffith, Esq, of the
same place, parish attorney, who for thirty
minutes delighted his listeners, and amused
them with several appropriate anecdotes.
Our readers will comprehend that we have
not room to give their speeches in full
Hon. T. T. Allan then occupied the stand
and spoke as follows:
Mr.. President, friends and fellOw-citi-
zens-1t is true that We are at present un-
mixed with the turmoil and aaxieties at
tendant upon al election, and the time is
vet in the far distance when you will be
called upon to express your opinions at the
ballOt-bOx; yet it affords me the greatest
pleasure to meet you here today and have
some conversation on the current topics OF
the day
We find that the progress of Republican
ism is onward and forward. Those who for
merly were foremost in denOuncing our
federal and State administrations have had
the opportunity of considering whether
their previously formed opinions were well
founded or whether they were based upon
prejudice or illiberality. Many, very many
of this class have Investigated the subject
with minds determined to do justice to
themselves and to US, and they have come
| to the conclusion that republicanism is
| founded upon the eternal principles of
| truth and Justice, and while they may have
| have at length yielded to conviction, and.
| having gracefully joined our ranks. have
| become our ardent supporters.
| To begin with the greatest in point of
rank, let us review the course pursued by
| President Grant-nou since he was placed
| at the helm of public affairs, but since the
fourth of March, 1873. In his inaugural
| address on that day he said: ut has been
| nv endeavOr in the past to maintain all the
laws, and so tar as lays in my power, to
| act for the best interests OF the whole peo-
pie. My best efforts will be given in the
same direction in the future, aided, trust.
| by nv four years experience in office" How
| well General Grant has fulfilled his pledge
| ia before the country, and requires no
| panegyric from my lips. Under his ad-
| ministratOn he has commanded the re-
! spect of foreign nations: he has effected an
| amicable settlement of our claims against
| dat
| against our commerce during the rebellion;
| our comm cree has revived; our revenue
| has been increased; our taxation has been
| greatly reduced. It Is not necessary tor
me to enter into particulars as to how such
| prosperity has been effected; 1t ia enough
| for me to point them out to you, and there
is none so bold as to deny my statement.
In regard to the status of the colored
race. of which l am member, | believe,
| Mr. President and gentlemen that we have
especial reasons for being grateful to Presl-
dent Grant for his neyer-ending efforts to
secure US in our rights. General Grant
| said that 1.-The effects of the late civil strife
| have been to free the slave and make him
| citizen. Yet he is not possessed OF the
| civil rights which citizenship should carry
with it. This is wrong, and should be cor
rected. To this correction / stand com
| mitted, so far as executive influence can
| avail" Born a slave myself, IN this very
parish, who can better appreciate the grand
| boon of freedom, that boon, the best gilt OF
| Almighty God, that We now ENJOY IN It's
| fullness?
| In regular order, it is my duty now to re-
| fer to the antecedents and present admin
| istration Of Governor Kellogg. When that
| gentlemen occupied the exalted posltlon
| of Senator of the United States, one OF the
| highest in the world, it was usual tor news
| nane1s OF every political faith to indorse
him as a faithful servant, and as having
| contributed more to the material prosperity
| of Louisiana than any other Senator Tor the
last thirty years. 1t would take up too
much time if were to attempt to enumer-
ate the many bills which Mr.. Kellogg orig
mated and had passed by Congress tor the
benefit of this State. 1t was on t1ose
grounds that Governor Kellogg received 80
LARGE number of Democratic votes at the
| Presidential election. Friends and political
foes were all satisfied to place the desti'
| nies of the State in the hands of the man
| who had been its cnlet benetactOr. Anu
thew did we'll. Governor Kellogg has fully
justified the trust reposed IL him. ana nas
laid our people under everlasting ooilga'
tions by the reform AID economical meas a.
| ures he has instituted and carried into eI-
feet since lis Inauguration. Among man
others NAV be mentioned the funding Dill,
which warmly advocated in the Legisla
ture. and which will remain an enduring
monument to his financial ability.
II has been the habit lately OF some ultra
Democratic journals to decry the services
of the last Legislature, but that Is OUT U
nure party feeling. l think that may
rrsfsr without presum ption, to the genera
appropriation bill, which. as it passed the
committee of which had the honor 10 OF
chairman. enabled the Governor to carry
ont HIS views of financial reform. Iaxei
we're at once reduced from twenty-one ano
a half mills on the dollar to fourteen anu
half mills, and instead OF the old oestruc
tive system Of warrants United STATES greer =
backs were used to pay the oepts VI 'n'
State.
| In educational affairs there has also oeei
marked Improvement, as l introduced
hill recurring searching investigation ln1'
the affairs of the public schools, and oeln
chairman of that committee, was enaolet
to expose the frauds that had been com
m;tted. and l took measures to preven
their recurrence
Vet. with all our efforts to bring the
fn.nces of Louisiana into healthy conol
ton. some chronic grumblers yet remall
dissatisfied. Now, that they can no longet,
quarrel with the administration. nor Mitl
the colored people on the score Si;o ~ on~ aoney
to act, or wastefulness OF the puDIc moh5s y
they assail us on the ground OF being ne
publicans: and, moreover, they are endeav
oring to sow the seeds of animosity oetweei
the white and colored people, on :.?snl aeeoun
of difference of race. The white oitiIeSs u
or some of them, in the parishes Oh %
Landry and ST. Martin, are forming the,u
selves into "white mans party" for tn
alleged reason that the colored people ar
organizing themselves as "black man.
party" No charge could be more unjust
no excuse more fimsy. But they shoult