The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-09-26
ALEXANDRIA, La, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1877.


18th of September, they would, rely
ing upon the presence and support OF
Federal bayonets, have provoked the
conflict? Who can doubt that the
9th Of January would then have been
the bloodiest day in the annals Of
Louisiana, and however that conflict
may have terminated, who can doubt
that in the then excited state Of pub
lie mind throughout the length and
breadth Of the land, such conflict
inaugurated here would have spread
like tornado Of fire, involving the
whole country in civil war, the hor-
rors Of which no pen could attempt
to describe.
That such would have been the
logical sequence of events does not
admit of a reasonable doubt, and if
the events Of the day we commemo
rate avertcd so dire a calamity, are
We not right in claiming that it
should rank second to no day in our
past history in the magnitude of the
results that flowed from it?
fear have trespassed too long
upon your patience; my apology must
be that when 1, not only as citizen
Of Louisiana, but as an American
who is devoted to his country and 10
it's free institutions, ledect upon the
events Of this day, my mind is crow
ded with burning thoughts to which
my feeble tongue is powerless to give
expression.
Governor Nichols presented the
sword to General Ogden in The fol
lowing words:
GENERAL-I have been requested
by a committee of gentlemen, repre-
senting the citizen sollierv Of New
Orleans, to present you with this
beautiful sword. It is gift Of men
whom you have tried and who have
tried you, and is intended TO Convey
the esteem, the confidence and love
thcy bear you. You will notice that
| it is emblematic Of the existence oil
peace throughout the land, and upon
lis scahbard are traced representa-
tions Of the agricultural products O
our State, indicating happiness aa(
prosperity lesu'ting from that peace
Upon lis guard you will tin'' tht
srms Of the UuiteL States and those
of Louisiana so near each other, tina
when he clasps the one he clasps vi!
other, signiiying that justice ant
confidence is restored, (e"etit ar
plause) and that we have a restore,
! Union. The interests Of the genera
government and Of Che State govern
ment ale Identical they are one ant
the same. In bringing about thes
great results your general has playe
: an all important part. Ia going be
yond the mission with which l ar
entrusted, I desire, as a citizen re
presenting, l believe, all the peopl
l OF Louisiana, to pay just tribute {
the unsel6sh devotion Of yourse1
| and those men who, in the darkes
hour Of Louisiana's history, cam
7 forward in indication of the const
5 tutional rights Of citizens and til
supremacy Of the law and the mair
4 tenance of their liberty. Louisian
e is now free and again pursues unir
4 terrupted the path of happines
0 which God, with HIS most beni6cer
n hand, has marked out for her. Wi!
J, dom and patriotism have brought Il
TO understand that it is not onl
n best. but it is clearly right that
u should be so. That you and you
J. comrades may enjoy the full measul
n Of happiness and prosperity, so niue
q due your valor and self sacrifice,
now the ardent wish Of every trr
# Louisianian. Those Of you VIII
: three years ago, this memorable da,
S yielded up their lives, are not 70
r gotten, nor have they died in vail
e grateful people will preserve the
+ names and a patriotic people will a
:. ways follow theirsexample. (Gre;
) applause.)
q Upon receiving the unexpectf
~ and magnificent present, testim
. NAL of love and honor from gratef
;. and appreciatiye friends, Gener
r Ogden, scarcely able to restrain h
overlooking feelings, arose, and ma
81 tering his emotion, returned thanl
V as follows:
81 nm at loss citizen soldiers