The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-02-04
Address of J. Bmrruss Mctiehee, President
10 the West Feliciana Property
.t. Holders Union.

BUUVeSS W - WhyuSr FWSVsuSVy
10 the West Feliciana Property
at Holders Union.
-GEsytEwBN-We are gathered together
to-day 10 take into consideration yues-
lions of the greatest moment. SEE
before me the faces Of men who are no,
wont 10 frequent public gatherings, and
whose very presence here evidences the
deep concern which peryades all glasses
of society in this parish.
The evils that we have met here to-
day to consider and to remedy, 50 Tar as
IL lies I'm our power to 90 80, are all per,
yading. They PROSTATE every grade of
aociety. they affect every member
of the community; they are Of years
growth their roots have struck deep
into the years that ore past. 1t will re,
u,,ire all of our prudence, wisdom. ana
determination to eradicate thcin-and
II will require time, too.
With the growth of " day we cannon
expect to efface this baneful influence
by one effort. but our efforts must be
well directed and persistnntly sustained,
until the end Is accomplished.
In what direction, then, shall we pro-
coed /? Not, ] hope, most earnestly. by
violent or awless action. 1t Is not by
such means that great reforms are
achieved dread alternative OF
Lynch law. Tho violent remedies to bo
sought In fear and intimidation are irnpo-
tent to the achievement of permanent
cure for maladministratiOn Of the law,
and they leave behind n precedent most
upwbolesome and dangerous to the
common veal. TO defy the law or take
into our own hands it's administration.
without the proper qualifications. IS 10
make our first step In the path OF re-
form most grievous mistake.
The inspired volume declares elnphat-
ically that Righteousness eSalteth n
nation, but sin Is reproach to any pco-
pie" Then Let us not bear this reproach
IN addition to tho load Of reproach that
has been hcapcd upon our long suffer
ing shoulders for these years. The
time OF our delveranco draws nigh. 1t
only remains for us to act with wisdom,
prudence and fidelity to the high trust
Of American citizons too little es-
teemed now by reason OF it's abuse and
with pcrtinacious, untiring determine
tion to bring relief to Our stricken par
ish. Our every action is watched by
powerful and jealous enemies. who arc
gathering their weapons into the great
armory of u powerful political party for
the approaching struggle of the great
est political conflict which has yet oe-
CURED In the history Of the United
States u conflict In which the very life Of
Republican institutions Is 20 be decided !;
and well 1t behooves US to pause and
consider, lest ,ce furnish some Of the
most effective weapons to be used i'm that
conflict for the final overthrow or re-
publican government. and or final sub
jugation beneath the heel Of the vile
horde Of miscreants who have made the
rule OF reconstruction to stink IN the
nostrils Of civilized man throughout the
whole earth who have made the United
5tates wonder and gazing stock TO all
nations. and filled the minds of all
honest and honorable men with wonder
and amazement at the sublime fortitude,
courage and self-control Of the hitherto
hot-headed and irrepressible South
erner. Aud i can say, without Fear OF
contradiction or Of being misunder-
stood, that many acts have transpired
Of late which all good citizens must de-
plore-acts which tend to throw odi,tm
upon the good and law abiding citizens
OF our parish and State; which tend to
equip our enemies with weapons most
suitable to their taste, with which to
stab our fair fame and to bring us into
view as malcontents and enemies Of the
public peace.
These acts are the legitimate out
growth Of "a contempt for the law as rep
resented i'm the persons OF the officers
who should have been the conservators
OF the public peace and who were re-
sponsible for the administration Of our
iMYochjal affairs.
When the dearest rights of commu-
nifty over which the law throws the
shield OF protection are made u mock
cry and a jest, by the very men whose
sacred duty 1t Is to uphold the majesty
OF the law, 1t Is natural, 1t is inevitable,
that men will seize the law into their
own hands for the protection OF those
rights for which the law has been found
impotept. But when such u dread ne
cessity Is forced upon any community,
the utmost caution should be used to
stop In time, to stop before all law is
brought into contempt, to stop lest an
example worse than lawlessness shall
be set, to stop lest tho minds Of the vi
cious being let loose from all restraint,
and public opinion being corrupted by Il 4
with violence, n course shall
be begun which can only lead most rap
idly to state Of anarchy, to which even
the exercise OF despotic power were
preferable. a,.1 4gt1
Then let US to-day enter earnestly,
prudently. but with deter
upon a cause. which, while IL !
SIldlI NIuul'ntS Vic ClHtItcucI vi ono |
parish from tho foul dispersion Of law
less disregard Of the public veal, and
IN unbridled defiance of the constituted
authorities, shall at the same time
make known ito tn1 Whole State And
The Executive, that we are
determined 20 bear the n Jr'oach of the
rule ofincompetency or vice, In the per-
sons Of our parochial officers, no longer.
Lot the Understood Tint we have the
moral and numerical power In the par
sh to enforce every process OF law and
10 protect every. citizen, Of whatever
'aoe, color or condition, in every right
guaranteed by the Constitution. And'all
hat we desire Is tho authority OF law
or our acts in the persons of men of
ried integrity, courage and capacity,
elected from our best citizens. Then /
ioubt rot that all good citizens of this
PARISH, without distinction, are pre-
jared to offer the most sacred guaran-
ees for the execution OF the law and the
reservation of the public peace.