The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-04-20
THE NEW ERA.

We cordially and feelingly congratu-
late our fellow-ci.ize OF Louisiana on
the complete restoration OF free gov
eminent In this State after seventeen
years or war, misgovernment. bayonet
rule. lawlessness and official plumber.
Yesterday the Packard caucus vir-
tually broke up, and ten members OF 1t.
who were legally elected. took their
seats In the Legislature. Nearly all
the others will take their seats to-day.
and Mr.. Packard, II he IL not wholly
insane or run mad with vindictiveness,
will withdraw his pretensions and as
sumo his place in the community as q
private citizen. He has already been
the cause of inoalculable loss. anxiety
and bitterness. and he cannot better
atone for all this than by leaving the
State. or, II he desires to remain among
us, by entering quietly upon some
honest and useful occupation.
We feel no disposition to indulge in
exultation on this occasion. Many
years OF feeble government and the
most. corrupt and wretched misrule
have left tho State In q deplorable con-
dition. Our commerce has been ruin
ed our agricultural interest disorgan-
lied, and our property deprecated. A
spirit OF lawlessness has been developed
In some portions of the State; bad blood
has been engendered in other localities
between whites and blacks the most
Infamous and powerful rings and mo-
nopolies have grown upon us: capital
has fed our borders and emigration has
Stunned our fertile lands and genial ell
mate as though they bred and masked
pestilence and death.
The final collapse OF carpet baggery
yesterday devolves upon the constitu-
tIonal government whose authority
this morning stretches over every
acre of the territory Of this lovely
and noble State, the grave duty
and gigantic work OF re.establishing.
within our borders. the supremacy OF
law. OF rehabilitating our prosperity.
and healing the bitterness engendered
by SO many years of strife. When
we regard the situation and It's ex-
halted and difficult duties, we do not
feel the less reioiced at the termination
of On era OF infamy and shame. but we
are most solemnly and deeply I'm
pressed with the responsibilities which
have fallen upon us oil, from Gov.
Nichols down to the humblest citizen
who has the honor and welfare of Lou
isiana at heart.
That the Governor, the Lieutenant
Governor and the Legislature will dis
charge their duties wisely, vigorously
and faithfully In the interest OF peace
and the general good. the platform on
which they were elected. their utter
anees during the campaign ana their
conduct during the trying and exciting
events OF the past three months, pro-
mise, and their high character guaran-
tee. The Legislature will adjourn in a
few days and the weight Of the duties Of
the situations will devolve upon the
Governor. and the State officials and
advisers who surround him. The
Governor 3 efforts will be directed to the
rigid enforcement OF the laws and to
the protection OF all classes and races
of the community, aud tho revival of
our PROSTATE trade and industries. In
this work every good citizen must take
an active part; tho people Ia every
parish must give the Governor their aid
aud support, for by doing so they will
fix the brand of falsehood upon the
charges our enemies have made against
the good name Of this State and the
character of its civilization.
All the pledges that were made In the
campaign and. since will be carried out
faithfully to the letter 10y the govern
ment OF Louisiana supported by the
PEOPLE. The coiqred people will DO pro-
teoted 10 their political and legal rights
ID their lives and their property, public
schools for the children OF both races
will be established and maintained