The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-02-03
TO The PUBLIC.
ALEXANDRIA,, [
Jan. 80, 1851

full sentiments for the kindness and
favors shown to me, while residing
here for the past two years as Pastor
of the Murray Street Methodist
Episcopal Church.
I had flattered myself with the
pleasing thought of remaining in Ra-
pides and of being instrumental in
bringing about change in the state
Of affairs-a change, such as would
advance the prosperity of the State,
as we'll as promote morality and the
cause of our holy Religion, for be-
lieve it is minister's duty to do all
the good he can, IN all the ,cays he can
and to strive hard to leave the world
better than he found it. Indeed it
was my intention on the event of be,
ing re-appointed to the Alexandra
Circuit to exert all my influence and
to concentrate all my powers to this
great end. But at our last Conference
held in New Orleans, I was removed
from Alexandria and stationed at the
Louisiana Harpe Street Church in
New Orleans. 1t is our ''high priv.
ilege" to "go'' like soldier, whittier
we are sent. l tamcly submit to the
rulings of the Conference and trust
that the great Head of the Church
has so ordered it. At his command
we go, "and in His great shame we
will set up our banners and though
the desire Of our heart is not yet ac-
complishea, and our hopes are not
realized, yet we trust that the time
is not distant when all the good citi-
zens Of the Parish of Rapides, togeth-
err with those of the entire State will
enjoy that peace, that happiness and
tranquility which can only proceed
from good schools, good government,
good laws and honest officials.
In reviewing the many incidents
that make up my history for the
past two years, pleasant memories
present themselves to my recollec-
ton, and the Parsonage in which I
now write is standing monument to
the liberality of my friends, and am
proud to say that the respect with
which I was received by my white
friends at Alexandria has in no res
pect abated, and when Ignorance
tried to defame me in the courts and
injure my good name and character
they came to tile rescue, showed
themselves on the side of Right and
Intelligence, and proved beyond con
tradiction that they respected a true
man, no matter what his race or color
was. have my hard times too, and
no man that preceded me, in office
ever saw worse. But these hardships
We're presented by the colorcd people
themselves. It was not a White
Lacquer that, with knives and pistols
in hand brick battcd my house the
End nightin June-nor was it white
man that shook his fist in my, face
and denounced me as a id thief.
1t was not white man that sued the
Church after it had graciously con-
ferred on him the gift of ($35O)
three Hundred, and fifty dollars worth
of work. Oh no, these precious in
CRATES were all Of my own race, and
"tell it not in Gath" Republicans at
that. But let me cast the mantle of
over their misdoings. They
did these things ignorantly, and it is
to be hoped that past experience will
teach them that no policy shall thrive
that has ignorance as it's leader and
falsehood as its friend-that Alright
eousness exalts a nation but sin is a
reproach to any people,"
I beg also to tender my thanks to
the public generally for the generous
response which was made to our Cir.
cular call a few weeks ago. We
shall never forget the liberal hearted
gentlemen whose names were returned
on our Collectors books. DR.. St.
John, DR.. Price, DR.. TAFT, Rev. Mr..
Ogden and all the rest of subscribers
too numerous to mention, (some of
whom have requested us not to men
tlon their names) and beg that every
subscriber will accept our grateful
thanks hereby publicly offered, and
pray that the fairness Of the liberal
soul may be attributed to them.
Nor shall we forget our Attorneys
and legal advisers Messrs. Bowman.
Ryan and Blackman who were with
us in all the difficulty, and fearlessly
tore away in open court the masks in
which ISLANDERS and perjury had yelled
themselves t Let me say to these
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