New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-11-02
THE RECEPTION AT NEW IBERIA
LEWIS AS A POPULAR SPEAKER
Judge Fontelieu as q Candidate
WEIGHED TO ST. MARrINsvILLE
The Aeadians Addressed in Their
Own Tongue.
OPELoUsAs. La, October 25, 1876.

OPELoUsAs, La, October q, 1876.
EDITOR REPUBLICANS:
Mr.. Packard and party came here by
beat, arriving at two O'Clock at night.
Saturday, 1t New Iberia, he was met by
. large party of friends with brass band,
who had waited for him oil night.
Early the next day the people came
crowding in, although the early part of the
day was cold and rainy. Yet on they came
in rain and mud. By noon vast ccncourse
of over 5000 people had assembled on the
common. The threatening character of the
weather had prevented the meeting being
held at the grove, where Q stand and seats
had been prepared. So an impromptu
platform was made on the common. Two
long lines of mounted men, of over 800 each,
we're drawn up facing inward, and as Mr..
Packard stepped within the lines, 1000 hats
waved, and three shouts went up from the
host which rent the air.
Colonel Lewis opened the meeting. He
10 Q man of wonderful power on the stump
With the colored people. Everywhere they
have additionally and enthusiastically
Aocked around him, and the very sight of
him ON the stand invariably makes all
their eyes glisten and sets them to shouting.
He exposed the Democratic cry OF protec-
ton to the colored people, in this pith para
phrase: "If you vote with me won't hurt
you." He exposed their hypocrisy and
1Esachery toward tho colored people; their
lying pretense that they have given the re-
Lief to tho overAowed districts. He showed
the Democratic party to be party Of
chesting, trickery and injustice. He made
. streng appeal to the Southern white man
to como into tho Republican party. and
counsel with and guide the colored man
there.
His speech was Alled with pointed anec-
dotes and pitby illustrations, which shook
his suditory with laughter and made Demo
cratic faces look blue a. they REALIZED how
far beyond their petty tricks the colored
men were growixg. Colonel Lewis has
been doing grand work for his people in
this canvass by adding to his political argu-
ments advice to them as people, on econ
omy, thrift and the treatment OF their
wives, tister sand daughters, and the school
ing Of thei= children. ......
Mr.. Packard following wac received with
sheers and bouquets.
Ills speech, showing the weighty consid-
xs.ions which would lead the planter,
vs;nees msE and laborar of this valley to
, voort the Republican party, was as i'm
> rsa;ye as it had been daring the whole OF
:. @n.o- It had q tremendous effect upon
ha white Conservatives.
In dee Fontelieu is tewer OF straagtn
ara. His accession to che kepu01can
.nks. ic 1872 has paved the way for power
:, reinEercements frem the 2ative white
,ar o.s this region. He is . gentleman OF
erv wide family connections, great power
8 ;nheIleet and breadth of compcehenhea'
Ia ia highly educated. cultivated and 1e'
,ed. an able lawyer and fine orator and
GOOD organiser. He il universally loved I
nd respected by men of all classes and
,+;.. Ycu will, therefore, not be sur
,;.ad to learn that here, by lar
be strongest and best element OF the
ike community called on Mr.. Packard
nd congratulated him, and pledged MIN
,e;r most hearty cooperation both before
nd after the election. Il
rha remaining speakers were Coionei
Wharton and Mr.. Trevigne. Judge camp
eli did not sdeak.
This parish is good for 200 Republican
ajority.
From New Iberia the party went on MOI
AZ to st. Martinsville. They were met
inside of the town by procession Oh over
40 people, mounted, under the commanu
the cid wheel horse of Republicanism'
/. Charles Neven. Here they found
roe assemblage already gathered IN .
or;ous live oak grove. The stand was
;noad with magnificent flags and ies-
oned With flowers. The speakers were IN
"a following order: Mr.. Trev'ene' Mr.
acksrd. Colonel Lewis, General "naFSon
I'd Judge Ccmpbell.
Mr. Trevigne spoke in the Frenon ian
,sge. His speech WAS eloquent 'n'''e'