New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-07
WELCOME TO THE COMMISSION.

Claims 10 the supreme court OF the STATE
WELCOME TO THE COMMISSION.
MASS MEETING OF NEw-oRLEANs CITIzENS-wRoNGs
IN THE PAST AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE-CoN-
FIDENCE IN THE Observation-Disclosures oPPo-
sITION TO PACKARD.
NEw-ORLEANs, April Ga very large mass meet
ing of the citizens of Ncw-Orleans held at La
fayette-square to-day 1t is estimated that from
10000 to $4,000 persons were present. The FOL
lowing resolutions were adopted:
We the citizens Of w-Oreans in meeting as
sem0led, representing firmly believe, the senti-
ments of a large majority of the people OF Louisiana,
prOclaming devotion TO the Constitution OF
the United States and unqualified acceptance OF all
the amendments thereto asserting that in loyalty TO our
reGsablshcd union and i'll true rational PATRIOTISM we
do not yield TO the people of any section OF our
country stand ready 10 prove by any test
declaring desire to obcrate the feelings OF
sectional bitterness which left the result OF tho
late unhappy war; aud reunte the whole people OF the
United States in common bond OF DfOth-
erhoOd, equally DESTROYS Of breaking down
the barriers OF prejudice and dStrust winch
designing political trcasters have from base
motives reared between the white and colorcd cir
zruS the Sale and TO TeGstablish Tho relations OF the
two upon basis Of just laws, equal rights common
protection, and harmonious and kindly sentiments TO-
ward each other Profoundly impressed With the gravity
of the crisis through which our State passing ana the
feeling that should pnblcly proclaim OR sentiments
touching the same We do hereby adopt the following
resolutions:
First Chat the right OF local sefEovernmen is the
fundamental principle Of republican system; thai 1t
is the naenabe privilege of every state IN tbs Uhih
deprived of which State ceases to exist as such III
constitutional and becomes mere province oil an
| alien government.
Second That for four years the people OF LOUISIANA
have lived under a usurpng government never elected
people of the state, never voluntarily acuesccl
in established originally and maintained throughout It's
career by tue military power OF the Federal Government
and different from direct military government only Ill
name the particular OF it, greater extravaganza
and unbrded corruption utter untness of persons IN
trusted with its administration, It's contemplate weak
ness and inability enforce the laws or TO protect the
rights Of the persons and property OF its citizens aud
the greater hatred and contempt with which 1t was re-
! garded by the people.
Third That the results Of this usupltiOn have been
TO destroy happiness and prosperity to fOnen discOrd
and disorder lessen for law and government
to encourage violations OF the rights of person and prop
erty to repress all business enterprise. TO Impair conf
dence and almost to annihate the value of property
That whatever enterprise in business, value in prop
erty In society contentment in life have sur
vyed tins unhappy condition OF affairs due solely TO
the confident hope that the late election in or state
would result in restoring its government to the control
OF its people, and If that hope shall now be disappointed
we see nothing in the future but anarchy run and de-
spar
| Fo,e.tb. That the government Of which Francis T.
Nichols is the head constitutional government Of
the State of Louisiana, elected by majority OF more
than 600 votes fully organized in all its parts
cisng the only governmental functions that are exer-
cised in the State, making aud enforcing laws,
administering justice, collecting revenues ana pre-
| servno the peace and ordey of society; that
| there is not within tho limits OF the State
an officer exercising any actual authority, ex-
cept those whose official titles are recognized
| by the Government, because duly elected; mat
many of those elected Republicans have already rec
o0nzed the true Government and those who nave not
vet done so will hasten recognize 1t as Federal
interference shall cease that this Government Is not
only capable OF perpetuang itself and enforcing It's a
thory but that would encounter no resistance nor
even desire resist the part OF any portion Oh te
neople except an insignificant clique OF ambitious poll
| ,,o,ans with small following of ignorant dupes
| Fidh: That the pretended Government OF which T. b.
Packard claims to be head is mere s'mudcTtm, Will
out body or substances offspring OF legisiatVc con-
of the usurper to perpetuate their power
in defiance will OF the people as expressed a. inc
ballobox by fraudulent manipulation OF returns tat
IL does not and cannot command the moral or physl
cal support of any considerable portion or the peo-
nile: that 1t exercises and Is capable OF exercising
none of the functions OF government ana tha It's aul
ity ia recognized nowhere outside OF the limits OF Single
bnilding in the State that II hope OF Federal inter-
ference were withdrawn it would disband without the
uniting of an arm against 1T that it presents not
single title to respect confidence and that au attempt
70 establish and maintain IL by the military power OF the
limited States would be not only an outrage on cosu
tional liberty but the greatest crime against cVzauoh
,bot has been witnessed in the nineteenth century
| Siyth. That the people Of Louirana observed win
deen satisfaction the conservative sentiments expressed
On the inaugural address Of President Hayes ana haed
them "a omens of return TO constitutional methods Oh
government under the OF which the anIs OF
Louisiana would arrange themselves specify anu pc"cc
fuv and need give the Federal Government no greater
concern than the affairs Of NewYork or Massaehuse'S'
that nv the adoption OF such policy he would CONFER an
| tnestimable benefit upon the whole hauoh 10 wen
| "a nnon this State, and would earn tue respect
and gratitude of the people of the United states ana es
pecally of the people Of louisiana that hotwiths'anu
ing the disappointing delay which has we up
precate the difficulties Of his position ana nave not os'
confidence in the sincerity Of his declarations ana 'he
| rectitude of his intentions
sepenM: That the eminent gentlemen VINO are a"ou'
70 visit us by invitation Of the President be heaI wei
coined and extended every facility IN their iaDors' aS
Stunning that they impartial citizens VINO CONC mere
only for the Legitimate purpose OF asserting what Govern
ment In actually administering the affairs oil the sate
the support the people, and capable OF sus
tanning itself and preserving order; but that we are