New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-10
THEIR DUTY TO THE PEOPLE
Remarks Of General Leonard Sewell
Before the Southern Club, Wednes.
day Evening, June =, 1876.

tered in courts of Justice in the endeavor to
elicit the truth and nothing but the truth.
1t il usual, also, to administer Oatbs to men
who congregste together for certain pur-
poses, such as FreemasOns, Odd Fellows,
political associations, clubs, etc and, &C.
cording to the nature of the oath, it is
meant to bind persons to conform to GER
tain rules and regulations, or men are SOL
EMMY bound by oath to perform certain
duties, or they are pledged never to divulge
certain things which it may be considered
fit and expedient to keep secret. In all cases,
whether in o court Of justice or elsewhere,
an oath should not be lightly taken or ad-
ministered, for the man who takes an oath
should we'll consider the nature Of the OBJ
legation he takes upon himself, and the
officer administering the oath should be
deeply impressed with the solemnity of the
act which he calls upon the Supreme Being
to witness, and asks Him to deal with the
man according as he may be true and faith
ful to his engagement. The man who vio-
lates solemn oath calls upon himself the
wrath of God, and must be conscious of
evil consequences hereafter, should he ap
parently escape unscathed in this world.
But does he escaped In judicial court
the violation OF an oath can be reached by
3 prosecution for perjury. 1t is crime
punishable by law, and the man who COM
nits the crime knows the risk he runs and
the penalty he is liable to in this world.
In political society like ours, there lie no
rule or regulation providing severe pen
atty for the violation of an oath; it is sim-
DIV q matter of honor and character; We
can not call in the aid of the law, and pros
ecute o man for perjury. Then how can
punishment reach the culprit9 Shall we con-
stitute ourselves into o tribunal to try the
offender, pass judgment, and sentence him
according to Ills deserts! There are those
who think with Drac0, THAT the smallest
offense deserves death, and there can be no
severer punishment for grave otfenses."
And shall we, who at all our meetings renew
our solemn obligations, and whose voices in
unison Join with the incoming members in
the oath which binds us all in one bond of
friendship and brotherly love, shall we
turn upon q misguided and vacillsting
member, and under the plea Of punishment,
Undue our hands with the blood Of one
who, though . renegade, was once OF our
cOnfraternityl No, We are no common
executioners. vengeance is mine, saith
the Lord; will repay"
But, my friends, the violation of an oath.
besides being sin against God and de-
against society, ard socially will the pun
isbment be meted out to the offender.
Know you q man who has broken his
oath, and will you take his word as worth
ANYTHING! Are you ready to extend the
hand of friendship to him, or will you not
rather shrink from bis advancesl If asked
by third party why you treat this man
with 80 much cOldness, will you not
answer, II wish to hold no communica-
ton with him, Tor know him to be false
sweareri" This is the first step to the
downfall of that mans reput ation for bon
esty. If in busiEess, will on trust him!
You are called upon to sit on jury, and
this man is q witness in the case-can you
rely upon his evidence No matter what
the judges charge may be. you feel
unable to return verdict according to
evidence; your fellow jurors question you,
and you are compelled to answer: Il can
not rely on that mans statement, for
know him to be an oath breaker" So little
by little, that mans credit and respecta.
bility are destroyed; he has outraged pub
lie opinion and social lave, and society will
avenge itself by holding him up to the con-
tempt of all true men, thing to be despised
and reviled through life, whose name shall
be legacy of scorn when the grave closes
upon bis last scene.
We are here society of men banded to-
gether to perform certain work, as we
firmly believe good work, having for its
object the resuscitation OF Louisiana by
forwarding the nomination and election in
1876 of men Of integrity and capacity to all
local trusts" We are no idle children, nor
weak or ignorant men who can not under
stand the nature Of an oath. Our members
are men of mature years, above the average
understanding, and of remarkable shrewd-
ness; therefore we may presume all are
fully aware to what they pledged them
selves, and it any one recedes from his OBJ
legations it must be looked upon as will
full and culpable act. Our oath is one of
allegiance; we virtually swear not to mis-.
represent the nature of this organization,
nor conspire against, nor do anything that
may in any manner lDjure the association
Or Illustrate the objects for which it was
organized. In q body like ours, COM
posed Of large numbers and from all
classes, some will creep in simply for
the purpose OF promoting, as they sup
pose, their individual interests. They find
we have q loftier object in view, and are
disappointed, consequently may fiaunt the
flag Resignation" before our eyes.
Others are weak hearted, and faint before
obstacles in our way. They lack the
energy to buckle on their armor and stand
up to the fight. To the disconnected and
faint-hearted we cay go; we want no disaf-
footed in our ranks; We want with US those
who, casting aside all personal considera-
tons, can raise themselves to the level of
the goal We have in view. Let no mists of
selishness or encouragement veil from our
eyes our guiding star, reform. Again we
cay to the disaffected, depart, ye of
little faith" but in going we bid
you not to misrepresent the nature of
this organization, nor injure the asso-
ton, nor Illustrate the objects for
which it was organized. You have
sworn, and we can not absolve you from
your oath. 1t lies between you and your
Maker; tor each man sOlemnly concludes:
$50 help me God" and shall we say to any
one retiring from our association, I'VE re-
lease you from your oath?" Can we come
between that man and orr Maker, whose
Divine anger he has incurred by breaking
His commandment, Thou shalt not take
the name of the Lord in vain, for the Lord
will not hold him guiltless who tsketh His
name in vain"
We have already considered the social
degradation that attaches itself to man
who willfully swerves from his most sacred
obligations. The punishment that will be
awarded to him by the outraged Deity is
among the mysteries enveloped in the veil
of fnturity.
There are some men who have no idea of q
Creator, of an OmnipCtent personal God,
of an eternity; have no belief in future
state, or of rewards and punishments.
Some have heard of heaven and of hell;
but their minds are in . mist; the great and
sublime subject for meditation is rudely
dismissed % one that interferes with their
revels and iniquities. Some men there are
who have been taught in their childhood
the value of religion. the knowledge of
God, the hereafter, and the consequent re-
wards and punishments. At that time they
have wholesome dread of false swearing;
but it is sad to reflect how often that. pass.
ing from childhood to manhood, religion
passes away, also, like dream. They