The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-09-14
THE FOURTEENTH SEPTEMBER.
The Duty Of Patriots to Honor the Fallel
Brave.

The Duty Of Patriots to Honor the Falle
Brave.
Those who act nobly in good cause dc
serve to be remembered with praise AM
gratitude. There is no debt like that which
country owes to its heroic defenders, and i
he people are worthy of the benefit securet
they will always honor the memory Of thos
who fall, cherish those who survive, and re
ieve the sufferings incurred by their sacri
ices. This gratitude of free people to tn,
brave men who made or who keep them free
lis one of the life-preserving influences in al
republics. Whether the occasion be genera
war, or q chance encounter, whether the he
roism be shown in long contest, extending
over an entire realm and through successive
campaigns, or be no more than transfer,
contest in single province or city, those who
have bravely risked or nobly lost their lives
: in the defense Of right against tyranny, de-
serve perpetual honor.
The tyranny which existed in Louisiana on
the morning of the 14th September, 1874, was
- Of the most CALLING and oppressive character.
! 1t had lasted many years. 1t had caused
damage to property which can only be
measured by hundreds of millions. 1t had
ruined the credit of the State and city. I'll
had demoralized many of our white citizens, y
1an inevitable effect of all forms of tyranny al,
! all times) and it had very extensively poisoned
the minds and infamed the enmity of the
negro Inhabitants. 1t had often rejected the
|suffages of the people, ignored their wishes
and openly condemned and defied them. I'll
had stolen away from this great metropolis
her most valued municipal functions, turned
her treasury over to cormorant rings ano|
|swindling corporations, monopolized the con-
troll of her schools, imposed enormous State
and city taxes and licenses upon her property
and business, and compelled her people
Ito support, under the pretense oil
IA police, band of State troopsI
Ito annoy and overawe the people while acting
IN reality as a mere body guard Of the usur-
patton. Worse perhaps than all, the usurpersI
in louisiana, aided by perverse Federal
Government, and sanctioned by a corrupt
partisan spirit. had invaded and occupied the
very fortresses established for the defense OF
political liberty. by installing tribunals grossly
partisan and VIGOROUSLY corrupt and purchas-
able All branches of the State and parish :
governments were permeated and saturated
with villainy, and when an appeal was taken
TO the courts of the State, ignorance, cor
ruption and venality were found usurping
he thrones of judgment. The infamous gang
If usurpers owned the courts and controlled
hem at will. They had the free run Of the
public funds, and drew from them at pleasure
The chronicles Of the preceding seven years
n Louisiana plainly show how patiently tn. 1
white people of this State had endured the
wicked mockery of government carried on
~ intrusive tramps and wandering adventu
ers. As long as resistance to it involved
esistance to the supporting military authori-
les of the Federal Government, our people
orebore in true respect to the latter, endur
ng what would not have been tolerated sin
lie hour in Delaware, Rhode Island, Michi-
AN or Kansas. But time came when the
Fiction could be borne no longer. and when &
atience had ceased to be duty or virtue
'esotted with success, the usurpers prepared
. execute GROWING outrage.
The last act OF usurpation and tyranny was
onsummated in the attempt to disarm the
'hite citizens of New Orleans, while at the
anne time arming and melting the negroes.
was more than our people could bear, and
,ey revolted against it with rough and ready
,tion. It was an attack upon that right
hich has precedence over all other political
ghts, because when it is taken away the
over to enforce any other right is lost with
, leaving the loser an abject, dependent and
D xerless vassal.
1t was while asserting and maintaining this
cred right to possess and bear the means OF
all other rights, that the armed
rilled and pensioned myrmidons of the
supper, in obedience to some foolish order,
:, perhaps, without any order whatever,
ade an attack upon some companies Of the
hite League while passing down the levee
tie in the afternoon Of the 14th of Septem- I.
u. The result is well known. The col
sion was momentary. A volley of musketry
lswered, quickly followed by an indignant
dden dash, and the battle was won. The i
,lice militia were scattered, and the dynasty
the usurper crumbled to fragments as if
ruck by thunderbolt 1t was the work OF
handful of young men, but before an hour
I'd passed there was not vestige Of Radi
j usurpation left in the city.
The night was one of rejoicing and the NOR
W the happiest single day ever experienced Il
, the People Of New Orleans. There was
g sunshine Of JOY upon hundred thousand
ces, while an absolute quietude reigned in
II streets Our legal State government was
lily installed in the presence of an army OF !
lighted citizens, and the sun Of the 18th
ptember set upon as happy city as its light Q
or fell nnon-hannv hacause free and free Il