The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1877-05-04
PACKARD,s FAREWELL ADDRESS.

PACKARD,S FAREWELL ADDRESS.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, J
State of Louisiana,
New Orleans, April 25, 1877.
To tie Republicans of Louisiana:
On this day, the fifteenth anniversary
of tho surrender of New Orleans to the
forces of the United States, it becomes
my duty to announce to you that the
Government has been withdrawn from
the Republicans of Louisiana, and that
a government revolutionary in form is
practically on the point of usurping
control of affairs in this State.
recall the circumstances of the last
electoral campaign only to thank you
tor the fidelity to principle You then dis
played. The Republican party, as you
know, entered upon the canvass united
and stronger than before. 1t had en-
listed under its banners an influential
class of native born citizens, ot old
Wing antecedents (who, to their honor
be it said, still remain faithful to the
principles they espoused and the gov
ernment they supPorted). 1t was fur
tiler strengthened by the absence from
the State of the opposition to that ele-
ment, whose previous adherence
to the party had brought in into disre-
pute.
These causes combined to bring about
the remarkable success achieved by the
Republican party in all the doubtful
parishes, with one exception, even
where the white population preponder-
ated, and which gave us a majority in
the Legislature. Except where organ
lied violence pravailed, our State ticket
carried every Republican parish, and
also a number of parishes which, in the
last Legislature, were represented by
Democratic members.
I briefly summarize the historical
events that have since occurred. The
General Assembly met on the first OF
January hast, organized with full
legal quorum in both Houses, passed
laws which are approved by the then
executive of the State, and on the I'd
day of January last cOnvassed and de-
clared the vote for Governor.
At this time the nation was agitated
by doubt as to the result of the presiden-
tial election. With the expectation
that Samuel j. Tilden might possibly
become President of the United States,
and with no hope of success otherwise,
my opponent in the late campaign es-
tablishell moot legislature, and went
through the form. Of an Inauguration in
OIu0V tASaO CA1OAV OO a oCAAbAeAASS
of u government, which Mr.. Tiiden, if
inaugurated, could possibly galvanize
into life.
In few days that followed, Gen.
Nichols and his adherents were en-
couraged by the unexpected refusal Of
President Grant to recognize the State
government, or to respond to the con-
stitutional call of the Legislature,
though he questioned the legality Of
neither. On the 9th of January, when
I had scarcely taken my seat in the ex
ecutive chair, the White Leagues rose
in armed insurrection and by Il coup <le
main, took possession of the Supreme
Court, the arsenals and the stations OF
the Metropolitan Police, all located at
the capital. Then came orders from
President Grant, establishing n stttt,ts
q,sO, the practical effect of which was to
confirm the insurgents in the advan-
tages they had gained, and to prevent
any effort to dispossess them. On the
Inauguration of President Hayes the
State authorities made preparation to,
organize a militia force for the defense
of the State government. Gen. Mich
oils police seized upon the recruiting
officers and imprisoned them for trea-
son, without benefit of bail or writ of
haheas corpus.
telegraphcd this TACT to PRESIDENT
Hayes, asking if this was a violation Of
the stc,ta,s zo,eo, and if not, whether the
release of these men by force Gall civil
remedies having been exhausted)
would be so considered. The President
replied:
"Your dispatch Of the 24th is receiv
cd. The Secretary of War has tele
graphed to Gen. Augur: "A Commits
sion will shortly visit Louisiana. In
the meantime the President desires
that the situation remain unchang
ed.'"
The Commission came. In the mean
time the Nichols Government had
crystalized into shape. So far from
permitting ssthe situation to remain un-
changed" it had broken into the fax
collectors Offices of the city, had taken
forcible control of State institutions and
had strengthened itself on all sides.
Notwithstanding this, however, the
Commission found the legal Legislature
still in session at the 5tate-House, and
my title unassailed and unassailable,
except by force. The result of their
labors during the two weeks they re-
mained here is known of all men.
they induced a number of the men,
bers of the legal House of Representa-