New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-21
NEW ORLEANS RIrU1lUAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY e. 1876.
ADDRESS or HON. JOHN RAY

NEW O01Ah6 10 IL
r
ADDRESS OF HON. JOHN RAY.
Before the eouthern Republican Club Of
New Orleans, January 10, 1876.
Gentlemen of the Southern Republican
Organization duty has been assigned
to me to make the opening and Introductory
address to the organization, explanatory OF
it's objects and purposes, and of the general
articles of its platform.
The ohjecs and purposes Of oil political
organic stions arc usually expressed in few
tore ma compreheneiye resolutions, com
monty called its platform. This must
necessarily be the case; those resolutions
are usually susceptible of great latitude OF
construction, and require application tn
comprehend fully their meaning. So it has
been thought proper that those members OF
this organization who have studied the sub
jects treated Of in the platform, should, in
the shape of addresses. amplify and explain
the articles of the platform, 80 that the
whole objects and bearings Of the Organiza.
ton should be thoroughly understood, and
that if there should be any differences OF
opinion that it should be settled by full,
fair and free discussion inside OF the Or
Ranization.
have been permitted to select the first
and second articles of the platform az the
subjects upon which to address the organ
izaslon this evening, which, in connection
with some introductory remarks l am e1-
pected to make. will constitute the sub
stance of my address.
The first inquiry that naturally suggests
itself is as to the reason why we have
thought it necessary to establish this
organization. There are already two great
political organic atoms in the State, the he
than
establish thisl 1t is because we do not
think that the purposes and objects had IN
view by this organization will be likely to
be attained by either of the others. The
extreme views of the leaders of those other
organic atoms, and their action heretofore
when they were in authority, have satisfied
US that, as now organized, and Win the
leaders likely to have the control OF them
we can not expect to have the principles OF
our platform carried out. 1t, therefore. be-
comes necessary for all those who sincerely
desire our principles and purposes carried
out and put into practical operation, should
combine and act as unit in forwarding
our objects.
1t may not be necessary for this organi,
zatiOn to do more than announce Its prin-
ciples and purposes, and to combine as .
unit to carry them out. Such combination
NAV be 40 powerful as to induce the great
political parties already spoken of to con-
cede to its plans and to adopt its principles,
| and use the means recommended by this
| organic alton to attain the desired ends. 1t
| go, every thing We propose will be attained
| through the moral force Of correct political
| principles and united action to carry them
out
1t may be asked why our organization is
secret if We desire to accomplish good pur-
poses through it! In reply, would an
| swer that our principles and tho objects We
| have io view are not secret. We have pub
| lished them to the world and invite discus
| sion. The only thing in our organization
which We keep secret ia our discussions in
regard to the means of attaining the desired
ends. In our secret and quiet meetings,
where what transpires is kept secret, a. the
| private discussions of gentlemen always are,
every member can unbosom himself and
freely give any information he may pos
sess, or advance any opinion he may enter
tain, whether popular or not, without feal
of having it criticized by unfriendly OF
ponents or subjecting himself to popular
animadversion tor the expression of IN
popular views; and besides, discussions in
our secret meetings are more orderly and
better calculated to attain satisfactory end
Our platform shows we do not counter
ance any illegal proceeding; on the con
trary, all our energies are directed to the
| enforcement of the laws, and to the estAb
lishment and maintenance of law aud or
DER consequently, no injury to the State Of
any individual can result from our score
discussions and actions.
The object of this organization is to con
suit as to the true interests of the State, an(
to adopt such policy as to promote that pur
pose. There can be no higher patriotism tina,
this. 1t is the very essence of patriotism
No political organic alton, open or secret
merits support unless it's objects and pur
poses are to promote the true interests OF tn
State, which consist in the greatest goo,
to the greatest number OF the citz
On questions OF State policy difference
of opinion will be held by different persons
and those entertaining common sentiment
will Join together to carry out their views
hence the origin and inevitable organization
of political parties. The majority OF tn
members of such parties may be regarde
as equally honest and DESTROYS of prOmOtin
the true interests of the State; and tn
question for solution by the people il, whic
policy 60 recommended is most conduciv
to that end. After this question is settle
these parties. then it is to be seen whethe
the leaders of such party will carry out tn
principles and policy of their party. n
good can result from correct principles unlee
they are carried out, and the CARRYING Q
them out depends ON the persons elected
if they are true to the principles on whic
they are elected, and patriotic, they wi
carry out the true objects of the party, bu
if they are corrupt and seeking more to az
vance their personal interests and that {
their friends and retainers than the true il
terests of the State. then the objects of tn
party will be defeated and the part
brought into merited disgrace, unless
wrest from the hands Of it's unfaithf'
agents the management of the party.
The first question in order to be consi'
j ! cred by this organization is as to the co
rectness of our party principles as lai
down in our platform. If, on q Garrett
, analysis and examination, we find they al
, defective, or are susceptible of amendmen
, | we should perfect them.
The second question in order is as
what policy We will recOmmt nd in order
carry out our principles, and when that
determined on, to pursue it with energ
zeal and entire unanimity.
E The geographical position of LOuisian
a fronting on the Gulf of Mexico, traverse
y through her entire length by the Missi
, sippi river, an inland sea, under the contr
, of the federal government; New Orle an
f one OF the great exporting and lmportiI
. cities of the country for the States in Il
= Mississippi valley, situated near the mou
E of this great river, renders her one of Il
. most important States, in national poi
. of view, in the Union. Add to this Il
!. agricultural resources of the State in suga
!. cotton and rice, all articles extensively g
=. ported, and the commercial interest OF Ne
r OrleanP, and we have grand total Of int
4 est not surpassed by any State in the Unto
q It is to preserve this State in the Unto
in harmony with the federal governmeI
and to protect and advance her great int
est, that we, as citizens of the State, a