The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-01-08
RIGHTrUL AGITATION.

The preamble and resolutions, anC
the memorial and address to Congress
unanimously adopted by tho Demo
cratic and Conservative State Conven
ton, which adjourned on Thursday
evening, proclaim that years Of op
preston have not tanned the spirit oil
the people OF Louisiana. and that a pro-
tectcd usurpation has not destroyed
their love OF constitutional liberty, nol
taught them how to quietly submit to q
tyrannous. infamous and lawless des.
potism. The papers referred to are
an earnest protest against the
usurpation set over this State by Federal
bayonets, and digniilcd and resolute
demand for Justice. Who IN Louisiana
Is prepared TO stand forth and say that
this demand should not be made? Who
will claim that there is any law of pre-
scription under which, through any
period OF time, wrong and usurpation
may obtain rightful and honorable
authority among q free peoplo2 We
trust there is not one. Usurpation,
wrong and tyranny obtain their legality
through the cowardice and corruption
of degenerate peoples--nevor through
their inherent strength or the length
OF the period OF their duration.
Those who counsel submission to
government not constituted in ac-
cordance with the constitution and the
laws, as u matter Of policy, are the
most ihsidious enemies Of liberty; they
are the worst foes Of their country.
Against the attacks OF the armed foe.
every man Is warned; every helmet is
braced, and every lance is set. But
these covert and willy counsellors OF
submission steal into the condolences
ofmen, appeal TO their immediate, press
Ing and material interests, delude them
with hopes, bewilder them with wise
discourses upon what they term "prac-
teal politics." and finally convince
them that acquiescence In political
crime, submission to the usurpation,
the abandonment OF honor and man.
hood Is the part Of patriotism and
wisdom.
The action Of our State Convention
indicates that the people OF this State
have not yet fallen under the influence
OF their counsels and that their spirit of
resistance to outrage has not yet been
paralyzed by the spells of these black
artists who labor in the interests of
wicked and infamous men.
II there are any among us disposed to
think OF acquiescence in the Kellogg
rs a matter OF policy. we
ask them to point out, in the whole his
tory OF mankind, an instance where any
such submission on the part Of any peo-
pie has worked to their good. Wher-
ever free institutions, assailed or
crushed down, have been restored to
their original vigor, the result has been
accomplished by heroic resistance to
the wrong; wherever the wrong has |
been acquiesced in, the final result
has been the total overthrow or
The liberties Of the people and the
supremacy Of personal and profligate
Whatever share Of lib
srty the people OF Ireland have obtained
rom the English government, they
lave obtained by agitation--constant,
determined agitation.
There Is not a measure Of relief for Ire
and on the statute books of England
hat is not there because of the in
iomitable spirit of the Irish agitators.
Ihere have been among every OPP
people counsellors to submis-
ZION: but every oppressed people who
lave thrown OF their burdens and vim
Heated their manhood have scorned the
and followed the leader
ship and the banners Of the agitators.
By this solemn truth. written ALI
through the history Of nations. letl
Louisiana be guided. It may be i'm
possible by agitation to establish the