New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-07

mittee. in their official report, expressly
state that their investigation were restricted
to the legislative difficulties of 1874 and
1873. and that they took no evidence in re-
gard to the election of 1872.
a. That on it's face the Wheeler adjust
ment expressly withholds eny approval Of
the Kellogg government. and it does not
en3 can rot bind the peoples lawfully
elected, bat excluded Governor, officers
and Senator'S, nor the people themselves,
who were not parties 10 the Wheeler res o.
luton, nor prevt nj their appeal to the gen
eral gOveInme mt for the guarantee of a re-
publican form of government.
And now, speaking for themselves, the
people Of the State of Louisiana do sol
EMMY affirm that they have EOt acqniesced,
and never will acqniesce, in the Kellogg
usurpatiOn; that it is as repugnant to their
wishes, and interests, and sense of Justice,
as it was the day of it's lawless establish
ment over them by force; that they recog-
niZa az the only government elected by tho
people of the State, as the only govern
ment entitled to their support. respect or
confidence, that of which John McEnery
and d. B. Penn are the official heads; and
they affirm that they have been patient and
silent since the adjournment of the last
Congress, in the hope and belief that the
present Congress would listen to their
grievances and grant the proper relief.
This is not only their right, but. under
the positive direction of the constitution,
it is the duty of the general government to
guarantee to Louisiana, as a State in tho
Union, the government of its choice, and
thereby republican form OF government.
And the people of Louisiana do sclemnly
declare that they will not abandon their
struggle tor the right of self-gOvernmenr.
In urging this right, they feel that they dis
charge q duty not only to their own SELF
respect, to themselves and to their children,
but also duty to the constitution. to the
Union, and to every State OF tho Union,
whose rights and liberties have been
overthrow, violated and trampied upon,
bv and through the outrsges heaped upen
the State of Louisiana.
The one hnndredth year OF our existence.
as q republic, has dawned.
Toward us as people, toward our civil
ization and form of government, and cur
conduct Hereunder, the nations of the
earth are bending the gaze of inquiry and
scrutiny.
To you, the President ard Representa-
tives Of the States aud OF the people of the
Union, we. the people CT the State of Lou
isiana, do present our grievances and ask
you-in the name Of our common country,
in the name OF our common civiliz alton, ID
the name of the sacred memories that
cluster around this centennial year, in the
v y
blot from our national history this shame
full record of usurDation and OF crime com
mitted against our State, and permit it no
longer to remain precedent for the over
throw OF other States.
And this we urge, not only that we may
be released from the grasp of the lawless
usurpaticn, but that, as people, We may
present TO The nations of the earth the spec
taclo of republic. perfect. not only in
<nyn hrt hTo4 Ea NJ: a
cratic government through all of its mem
b.rs.
Il. II. MARR. Chair.nao;
JAMES JEFFRIES,
G. W. MCCRANIE,
X. A. CROSS.
II. j. HEARSEY.
w. Il RICHARDSON,
NJ VOORHEES,,
f. w. HUNTINGTON.
Several portions of the report we're re-
ceived with cheers and applause.
Mr.. Smith, of Orleans-I move, in add-
ton to that report that We respectfully
petition the Congress of the United States
that they take prompt action in the restor-
alton to the people of Louisiana OF their
constitutional right OF self government. In
case that is not done, an election for State
offioers can not be held except by order OF
a United States judge, consequently the
electors would be contiled to the United
States army.
The motion was laid en- the table.
Mr GauthreauS, of Orleans. moved
tha: the report of tie committee OF
memorial and address be adopted rs the
memorial of this convention.
The motion was carried unanimously.
Judge Z. T. Merrick, of Orleans, was IN
yited to seat on the platform.
Judge Merriok said: Mr.. chairman and
gentlemen. l was not present with The com
mittee during its deliberations before this
report was adopted. 1t is one of the most
important addresses that has been pre-
sented to this convention. There are many
things l tind in it which heartily agree
with, and yet there are things contained IN
that report that l can not indorse. There
are some things in that report which
would prefer to have left out, because / do
not think that they rightly belong in this
memorial, which is nothing moTs nor less
than an appeal to the Congress CT the
United States for action in the Louisiana
case. l will, as tg as / can, give Ey
reasons. do not think that it is best, az
this time, to memorialize Congress 20 iar
as any action in the Louisiana case IS con
cerned, as Judge will be done, by the lec-
"
terday. do not think it at all desirable
that action should be taken :at tais time. l
differ with our friends in Congress thai this
question should be opened. as tbe case was
settled by the Wheeler oumpro-
mise.
Now will tell you, gentlemen, how this
thing strikes ne. At the tlme tbs
Wheeler coinproinise was entered into, 1t
Vas thought by those who accepted 1t tnatlt
vas the best thing that could be done st
the time. It's adoption certainly did soma
good, ss it settled ths status OF the lower
house here in the Legislature. We are
striving to put the government OF the State
of Louisiana into the hands OF intelligent |
men, and to get it out OF the hands of ignor |
ant men. and think we have partially suc- !
ceeded-at least in tae lower house We have !
q majority.
We did succeed in carrying the election, |
and we did every thing in our power to have !
cur elected representatives seated. We all |
knew the result of the fourth of January
how they were removed from the hall OF |
the House of Representatives, and strangers |
put in their place. Now, sir, we must not |
forget that our people. goaded to the last |
extremity, had no other choice than that |
Of accepting the Wheeler compromise. To |
60 back little, to the events that have |
taken place in this State within the past |
eighteen months; how our people, goaded !
by the injuries hesped upon them by the !
usurper, lose on the fourteenth of September |
and swept the government of Kellogg frOia !
power. 1t only made them still more our |
enemies. What did they do? Why, they |
sent General Phil Sheridan down here and !
then the most extraordinary spectacle that |
has ever been witnessed in any hall of Repre- |
sentatives in this country was witnessed il |
Dnr House of Representatives,, when our |
In embers of the General Assembly were |
driven from their place by armed soldiers |
Of the United States. We were then given i