The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-01-14
LOUISIANA LIBERATED.
Inauguration of Gov. Nichols and Lieut..
Gov. Wilt.
The Peoples Government in Full Posses
sion of the State.

people, Gov. F. T. Nichols and Lieut.. Gov
Louis A. Wiltz were inaugurated last Monday
January 9Th. The ceremonies took place OF
the balcony of ST. Patrick's Hall, which wal
appropriately decorated for the occasion, auG
were witnessed by the largest and most en-
thnsiastic sssemblage ever seen in this city
After taking the oath of Office, Gov. Nichols
read the following magnificent aud patriotic
address:
Gentlemen of the Senate House
and elow-CitzeDs:
In obedience to thecaE Of my fellow W. citizens
as expressed through the ballot-box, by a ma
jority of more than eight thousand votes, as
sumo the duties of Governor of my native
State, under circumstances of marked diff.
Guilty, and at q period of very general distress
For nine years few men, having no identi fc a.
tioD with the people of this State, either in
feeling or interest, have shaped and controlled
their destinies.
The result of this unnatural condition OF
AFFAIRS has been that, in spite of rich soil
genial climate and immense resources, We find
the people to. day in wretchedness and poverty.
The very gifts of kind and beneficent Creator
have served to these men as additional incen.
tlves to acts of oppression and wrong.
Not satisfied with tho ipjury which they have
inflicted, the authors of these calamities are
again struggling to maintain their ascendency
by fraud, and to establish over this people q
usurpation more giariDG and infamous than
that which ends TO. day Its baneful existence
The people of this State. are determined, and
also am determined, that the effort shall be
foiled. The rights and liberties of Louisiana
must not be suffered to be DESTROYED.
There may be grave difficulties in the present
manner of dealing with this matter, but they
will be overcome, and hereafter upon the Only
and legally constituted authorities of the ST ate
will devolye the proper administration of It's
affairs. The material prosperity of Louisiana
stored, and this can only be accomplished by
the truth and energy of the people cooperating
with the honesty, fidelity, integrity and pa
trlotism on the part of their Representative
Self must be sunk, and the general good
alone eerve as the guide to the civil and po-
ltical action of each citizen. Laws operating
equally upon the whole people, without dis
tiDction of race, class, color or condition, must
alone be found on the statute books, and these
laws should be thoroughly, fairly and impair
TALLY executed.
In this way confidence and hope will prevail,
and this State will speedily become home of
happiness and peace for all her children, for the
weak as we'll as the strong, the poor as we'll as
the rich. The first object of all governEnent is
to secure peace, plenty and prosperity, and to
give the largest possible opportunity for de-
Velopment To the Individual citizen. His in
terest should be it's constant aim, and the citi.
zen should recognize and feel the government
only through lis benefcenC and vivifyiug in
huence.
How nearly the governments erected in this
unfortunate State in the last nine years have |
been based upon, or have realized these ideas, |
g re Injected on all sides. How nearly the govern
nent, at the head of which have the honor to |
%, Will realize them, can only be determined |
Then that government shall have been fairly |
'ut to the test but can assure you that they |
re the principles by which my conduc CT shall |
'e guided as Chief Magistrate of the Common
wealth.
l shall devote every energy to the great work
4 restoration, and to securing an efficient ad-
of public affairs, with the least
'osSible cost to those upon whom the burdens
( the State rest. Honesty and capacity will
"a. required as absolute conditions to sppo' It.
lent, and every avenue by which the people
an be injured will be carefully guarded TO the
xtent of the legal power of the executive.
1t shall be q great object in my sdministra-
ion to promote kindness, sympathy, Goa E ience
nd justice between the two races that inhabt
be soil and who, with q common interest, |
hould cordially cooperate to secure the com.
ION good. In fine, felloW-citizens, 1 shall in
okiDg the blessing and assistan ce Of Almighty
-od, earnestly and conseientiously endeavor to
O my duty.
While these events were transpiring at ST.
atriok's Hall, the Radical cabal at the State
louise (old st. Louis HoteD were going
lrough the farce of inaugurating Messrs. g. B.
ackard and c. G. Antoine, The building was
srricaded on All sides and contained 3 garri-
IN of come six hundred men. Mr.. Packard
elivered q characteristic address, devoted
rineipally to Wholesale abuse of the people
{ thiu State.
8ullea teiy tia inapecrntion, CIV