The daily gazette., 1876-01-14
For the Gazette.
AMNESTY - L--BAY-
..sa .,S WARD, &c. -.--s-s ~. Il

A~.ss .4a IA RID, &c. -------.-s -
watch with interest the tendency
of things. A great deal is said of this
Centennial year. 1t is made pretext
for many f1imsy schemes. If we are
to celebrate it, let us do it on national
principles. Philadelphia men may
want to celebrate it by an exhibition
for their own aggrandizement, revival
of trade, and the restoration of their
own status in business-but this is self
ish, and would be hypocritical. II we
have this celebration, let us have 1t In
good faith, on true principles and for
the whole nation. Philadelphia, by
its league and extreme feelings and
measures, did great deal to distract
the country and drive away trade from
its doors, and so has Nir. Blaine and
his northern Republican party, by their
oppressive measures and continued
persecution of the Southern people,
hindercd the prosperity of the country,
and brought upon us the present evils
Of the times. If they wish, therefore,
TO celebrate this Centennial in the
spirit of '1G, and in national way, let
1hein now, after ten years indulgence
OF II malcyolcnt spirit, lay it aside and
|
| whole uaton in spirit that becomes
i magaanimous and generous people.
| Let Mr.. Blaine and all Republicans in
| Philadelphia aud in Congress, il they
| want an appropriation by the govern
ncnt for the Centennial, let them first
PATS universal Amnesty Bill, JEFF
| Davis not excepted nothing else VIII
be honorable, or give proof that the
cnmity OF their spirit is eXtcrminated,
of the sincerity of their intentions and
that they are acting in good faith, II
were Democrat or National man in
Congress, | would not vote a dollar for
this exhibition, without this Amnesty
Bill was passed-making this free and
independent nation.
We ought to be free from party
cables, tyrannical unsurpations and
sectional rings. | saw Il notice the
other day of the celebration in Balti-
more of New Years day, the coming
in OF the Centennial year. One of the
lmottoes stretched across the street,
with the witty and sarcastically de-
, scrlption of the present situations, and
most noted "177G - Independent of
Rings" "1S76-dependcnt on Rings"
Nothing was so pointed or striking in
the city. Let Congress then act nation
Tally and pass the Amnesty Bill before
they pass a Centennial appropriation.
! | had intended to say something
about Mr. Bayard for the presidency,
. but reserve this for another article
only mentioning now an quotation of
his late speech in Philadelphia:
"Ah. my friends when the Amcri-
can people shall cease TO listen, or to
cease to hear the cry of that poor, dis
tressed sister of our Union (meaning
Louisiana), then shall | indeed feel
: afraid, for manhood will then be para
lyzed in their hearts, ahd the death of
American liberty he not far distant
The buildings on your Centennial
grounds are grand and beautiful, and
you may we'll be proud of the ability
and skill that reared them, and when
you tread those halls next independ,
ence day, forget no man who is op.
, pressed in this cOuntry; let your
hearts burn with the spirit of 1776?
The justice aud duty of freemen to re.
sist oppression to make war at all
times and against all odds for Just
principle. And say to you that com
lpared to the wrongs which the FEEDER
al Government, by the will and under
the authority of the President, has in
ficted on the State of Louisiana, by
twice overthrowing by armed force
the duly elected officers of her State
Government, the wrongs suffered by
the British colonies in I776 at the hands
of the throne of the King were but as
Moonlight is tn sunlight,
Or water is to wine."
Proofs of wealth and advancement
in arts, manufactures and luxury may
surround you, but amid them all for.
get not
"How wide the limits stand
Between splendid an happy land"
The remedy lies in the ballot-that
grand invention of our fathers to ac-
complish peaceful revolution effec-
tually. See to it that the election in
1876 shall give to us a president and a
Federal Congress Who'll the language
of your toast will recognize and re-
spect "the soveignty of the States and
the majority of the people"
Let this universal amnesty be pro.
claimed and the Bill of '76 ring out
Liberty to white men as well as color.
ed; then indeed it may be year of
jubilee, and all celebrate the Centen-
nial year in spirit and in truth, and
everySman call his neighbor under the
vine and under the fig tree.
RIGHTEOUSNESS.