The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1877-01-20
Gov. Nichols Address,
Gov. Nichols then made the fol-
lowing address


lowing address:
''Gentlcmcn of the Senate and lions" OF
Representatives and Fcll'W-C't'z'ns
In obedience to the call of my fell
low-citizens expressed through the
ballot box by majority of more than
SUOJ votes, | assume the duties OF
Governor of my native STATE under
circumstances of marked difficulty
and at period of very general dis
tress. For nine years few men hay
ing no Identification with the people
Of this State, either in feeling or m
terest. have shaped and controlled
their lestinies. The result OF TINS
condition of affairs is that in spite OF
rich soil, genial climate and Immense
resources we find the people to-day
in wrctched necessity and poverty.
The very gifts of a beniiccnt Creator
have been to these men additional in
centivrs to acts Of oppression and
wrong. Not satisfied with the injury
they have inflicted the authors OF
calamitcs are AGAIN struggling to
maintain their a>cendency by fraud
and to establish an usurpatlon more
glaring and infamous than that which
ends to-day it's banefui existence
The people of this State arc deter
mined and am determined this eff:
fort shall be foiled the rights and
liberties of Louisiana must not be
suffered to be destroyed. There may
be grave difficulties, but they will bc
overcome aud hereafter upon the duly
and legally constituted authorities OF
the State will devolve the proper adj
minjstration of its affairs. The mate
rial prosperity of Louisiana and the
happiness of her people must be le-
stored, and this can only he accom-
pliS'vd by the truth and energy
of her people cooperating with
honesty, fidelity and patriotism ON
the part of their representatives. The
general good must alone serve as the
guide to them. Laws operating
equally on the whole people, without
distinction of race, class, color or con-
di,ion, must alone be tonnd on the
statute books, and these laws should
he thoroughly and fairly rxrrntrd. IN
this way confidence and hope will
prevail, and this State will speedily
become home ofhappiness and peace
for her children tor the weak as
well as the strong: for the poor as
we'll as the lich.
The first object Of ali governments
is to secure peace, plenty and pros
perity and to give the lal gc>t pos
sible opportunity for development t.
to the individual citizen. Ills inter
est should be its constant aim and IT.
itt xsseeffRa}R Rt|4} f5Hl5 through tes! '"'
iGcicut and vivifying influence: How
nearly governments erected III 'n''
unfortunate State in the last riht
years have been based on o: have
realized these ideas, may best be see;
in the picture of misery which is re
trctcd on Ill sides. low nearly thu
government at TIC head of which
have the honor to be will realize then
can only be determined when tina
governm"r; shall have been falrl,
put to .nc test. But | can assure yo'
thc.t they are principles by which ny
'conduct shall be guided as the chic
It magistrate of this commonwealth.
shall devote every energy to the wor
l. Of restoration and to securing an ct
n n ficient administration ofpublic affair
" with the least possible cost to thos
~ upon whom the burdens of the Stat
b. rest. Honesty and capacity will b
III required as absolute conditions t
O. appointment and every avenue b
lie which the people can be injured WI
Of be carefully guarded to the extent
!, the legal powers of tn" executive.
~ shall be great object inmy admin
Of istration to promote kindness, syn
oy pathy, confidence and.justice be'wee
IN the two races that inh,bit the SO
of and who, with a common lnteres
'st should cordially cooperate t" secu
IT. the common good.
'"' In fine, fellow citizens I shall, ii
yoking the blessings and assistance
ALMIGHTY God, earnestly and CO.
scicutious|y eudeavor to do my dut
50 -~.~-
GENERAL LONGsTREET This gen
1l,,.,n lbs declared his cOnYicti