Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-04-07

NEW YORK, April G. A New Orleans dispatch
.ated noon says Nichols mass meeting is now
in progress there, thirty thousand persons were
present.
The following was adopted.
We, the citizens of New Orleans, in mass meet
ing assembled. representing, as we firmly believe,
the sentiments OF large majority of tho people
of Louisiana, proclaming anew our devotion to
constitution OF the United States, and our I'M
qualified acceptance of all the amendments there
TO, asserting that in loyalty to re-established
union, aud in true national patriotism we do not
yield to the people OF any section of our common
country as we stand ready 10 prove by any test
declaring earnest desire to obliterate the feel
ings of sectional bitterness which were left the
result of the late unhappy war and to reunite the
whole people of the United States in a common
bond of brotherhood, equally DESTROYS of break
ing down the barriers of prejudice and dstrust
which designing political tricksters have from base
motives reared between the white and colored cit
liens of the state and to establish relations OF
the two races upon basis Of just laws, equal
rights, common protection, and harmonious and
kindly sentiments towards each other.
Profoundly impressed with the gravity of the
crisis through which state is passing, aud feel
ing that we should publicly proclaim our senti-
ments touching the same sobery adopt the fol-
lowing resolutions:
That the right of local self-government is fund
amentay the principle Of our republican system.
That it is the inalienabe privilege of every state
in this union, deprived of which state ceases to
comes mere province Of an alien government.
I'd. That for four years the people of Louis
lana have lived under a usurpng government
never elected by the people Of the state, never
voluntarily acquiesced in. Established originally
and maintained throughout its career by military
power Of the federal government and different
from direct military government only in name
and in particulars of its greater extravaganza, I'M
brded corruption, and utter unttness Of the per-
sons entrusted with its administration its con-
10 hlp L nd inah IN mfr tba
laws or protect the rights of the persons and
property Of the citizens, and the greater hatred
and contempt with which it was regarded by the
people.
80. That the results OF this usurpation have
been to destroy the happiness and prosperity, to
foment discordant disorders to lessen the respect
for law and government, to encourage violations
of the rights OF persons and property, To repress
all business enterprise, to impair confidence and
almost to annihilate the value of property. That
whatever of enterprise in business, value in prop
erty, cohesion in society, or contentment in life
have survived this unhappy condition OF Alters
are due solely to the confident hope that the late
election in our state would result restoring its
government to the control of its people, and if
that hope shall now be disappointed we see moth
ing in the future bnt anarchy, ruin and despair.
4th. That the government OF which Francis t.
Nichols is the head is the constitutional govern
ment Of the State Of Louisiana, elected by ma
jority of more than 900 votes, fully organized in
all its parts, exercising only governmental func
tons that are exercised in the State, making and
enforcing laws, administering justice, collecting
revenues, preserving peace and order of society
that there is not within the limits of the State
Office exercising any actual authority, except those
whose official titles are recognized by this govern
ment because duly elected; that many of those
elected as republicans have already recognized the
true government, and those who have not yet
done will hasten to recognize 1t as soon as the
federal interference shall cease; that this govern
ment is not only capable Of perpetuating itself and
enforcing its authority, but that it would encoun
ter no resistance, and not even desire to resist on
the part of any portion of the people, except an in
significant clique of ambitious politicians, with a
small following Of ignorant dupes
The 9th resolution characterZes Packard's gov
ernment as the offspring of legislative conspra
cy oil the late usurpers, to perpetuate their power
and to sustain it by federal support, would be an
outrage constitutional liability, and the great
| est crime OF the 18th century
The 9th says the people of Louisiana hailed the
conservation sentiments of President Hayes inau-
gural as an omen of a return to the constitutional
methods of the government, under the observance
| of which the federal government need give no
more concern than TO New York or Massachus-
etts, and the adoption Of such policy would con-
fer inestimabe benefit upon the State and Nation,
and although the delay occurred. yet have the
confidence in the sincerity of his declarations and
| the rectitude of his intentions.
The 7th urges hearty welcome to the comm is
sioners. but declares unaterabe opposition to any
compromise which will put into office those not
| elected, or deposc those who were. or to impair
| existing autonomy of the Nichols government.
The 9Th says the presence of federal soldiers is
unnecessary; that the State authorities can pro-
| tect the peace and enforce the laws; asks that
they be withdrawn, and pledges that no domestic
violence shall take place.
The 9Th says that there be no spirit of revenge,
but that spirit of federation be cultivated by ex-
| tending educstion's benefits to all classes.
The 10Th declares large portion of the colored
| citizens are devoted adherents of the Nichols
government, but are restrained from manifesting
| their preference by system of social intimida-
| ton. They are called on to throw off their bon
dage and rally to the Nichols government for JUS
| tice and equal rights.
The resolutions conclude as follows:
llth. That with deep sense of responsibility,
with full recognition of all our obligations as
citizens of the Union, in no spirit of threatening
or brsggadocio; with profound consciousness of
the power of the federal government, and of our
inability TO resist it, but with the conviction that
no calamity can possibly befal us, of more consid-
| cradle ruin and disgrace than that of longer sub
ordination to usnrpaton, we invoke the consider
| ate judgment Of the American people upon these
| resolutions, in which we here solemnly declare
| never 10 submit to the pretended Packard govern
ment, to pay it dollar of taxes, never to ac
knowledge its authority; but to resist it at every
| point and in every way, and to require that every
| demand which it may make upon the obedience Of
| the citizens, be enforced only by present physi-
cal power which we are Incapable of resisting
We appeal TO the President TO stand firm to the
just and constitutional policy of non-interference,
and We enreat the people of the United States to
sustain and encourage, and if need be. by the
power OF public opinion, to enforce the adoption OF
| that policy
The Comm ssion.
The Louisiana Commission, Messrs. Lawrence,
Brown, llawley, Harlan and McNeagh, this morn
ing, by special invitation, visited the Cotton Ex-
change, accompanied by Gen. Brissey and ex-con-
gresham Levy, where they remained some time
| in conyersato on.
NORTH CAROLINA.