Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-03-21
LOUISIANA.

New ORLEANS, March 15.--White |
Republicans of Louisiana held a
meeting to-day and made the follow
ing appeal to the citizens of the Unit
ed States: We, the undersigned, rep
rescnting the republican citizens of
the Louisiana in our distress, appeal
to the loyal states to raise their voice
to demand speedy relief to protect us
in the enjoyment of the sacred rights
to be governed by officers elected by
a majority of the loyal votes of the
state. The intimidation, violence,
outrages and murders perpetrated
upon republicans in different parts of
the state by the white league democ-
racy, are now matters of notOriety
throughout the civilized world.
Their policy has been to mislead the
people in other states by reporting
daily what is known here to be false,
that they have control of the whole
of the territory except an acre of
ground in New Orleans, and that
their authority is alone recognized
throughout the state, and they ask to
be let alone in order that the people
may enjoy local sclt-govcrnment.
The facts are that an illegal and
armed military organization threatens
the existence of the lawful govern
mcnt. Instead of Governor Packard's
authority being ACKNOWLEDGED only at
the st. Louis hotel, it is recognized in
the greater part of the State outside
of New Orleans. In at least twenty
eight parishes or counties of the state
republican officers were elected and
! are in the exercise of their functions,
and they everywhere recognize Pack
ard as governor of the state. Thir-
teen out of seventeen district judges
outside of New Orleans were elected
by republicans, and they have official
, ly recognized Governor Packard.
These insurgents boast that they will
force the government of the United
| States TO abandon Governor Packard
, and thus disregard its sacred obliga-
, tions to the state or to establish a
military government. If the presi-
dent yields to this threat, it will be
i only to encourage rebellion against
9 the laws. The question involved here
D is a question of fact and of law, and
l not of sentiment. There can be bu
@ one lawful governmental state, and
;. when another asserts authority it il
/. the boundcn duty of the president tt
/ furnish the needful assistance. 1t has
q been boastfullv said that the taxpay
: crs will pay taxes checrfully to thu
@ Nichols appointees the truth is tina
not one Of his appointees can lawful
ly collect any taxes, because they hav'
not the rolls and because licenses
which are collcctable at once have t.
be endorsed by the state treasurer
10 who holds his office from the 1877
election, and who does not recogniz
II Mr.. Nichols .appointees. The fund
raised have been by sort of presti
# mos or forced loan. The appeal there
al fore to our fellow citizens of the 10y
al states not to heed the SANDER
published against us, and to exer
AZ their influence to hasten the assist
u, ance which should haye come to u
IL on the wings of lightning. Justic
T" delayed is oftentimes justice denied
In conclusion we respectful
~ but earnestly ask, as we hay
n a right to demand, that the han
IN of justice be speedily extended to tn
be lawful government of Louisiana,
I'd the end that the republicans may NJ
be forced to follow the example {
. the Nichols party and attempt to Sc
90 tie legal questions by the use of riff
"a and cannon.
~ " (Signed) w. II. DINKGRAyE,
:" Chairman of Committee.