The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-05-08

II In the SenaIe or LOUISIANA, MONDAY,
- .,,nt. March Is, 1878. ..! "a -.
.Ioa% rsf, <g Fcs, - igau 1s
& The.Senate having under consideration
the resolution of Hon. Lewis Texada,
~ Of Rapides, providing for the raising
Gtsg of Especial Committee to report in a
succnct manner the Reform Legisla-
ton enacted in 1877 and 1873
sa Mr White said: =
$50 Mr.. PRESIDENT II am sorry that
gentlemen on the other side of the
House seem to object to discussion of
the pending resolution. 1t was doubt
less, ALTERED by the Senator from Rap
,ides, with the object of furnishing an
OCCASION, in, the last hours of the SEES
sion, for making some statement in a
connected manner of the system of
Legislation devised by the majority of
this General Assembly, during this
yaH1 the former session, for the relief
ofthe people of the State. In avail
ing myself of the opportunity which
the resolution makes | am impressed
with the delicacy Of the task, for it is
diffipult toreyiew withapprnbaton the
work accomplished without seemingly
ihdnlging in self praise, associated as
j an with the majority on this floor,
to whom the responsibility of power
was intrustea at the last general cleo
ten. However q sense of public duty
and of pHbie veal should dominate
land control all personal considerations,
aud believing that much misapprehen-
st9n exists ~ to what has been done;
ldythis General Assembly. and that
istatemeut thereof, somewhat in detail,
will be conducive to public good, as
frndlng NJ least Ia remove, in part.
ttiIis misapprphension. will endeavor
TO present sneh statement, ,discll ming
in the outset any personal claim to
coininent'ati,n other than thar wLirl,
nrty ltsast from an honest effort to
yphrtpfm mydHbKrag org aeHuS tH
Sir, when l. turn back TO the ,politi-
chi condition Of this State, prior to the
t1ast general election, 2aGd tiian look
snnnn her condition now, my heart il
lifted mp not only in exnliation hut
trust also, in thflnkfnlhesS to an all
wise Providence, who has mercifuIly
guided her thrpngho 80 many dangers
aad difficulties to the condition of
Speace, oraer and freedom which she
-tnOw, enjoVs.g 'Bhen therl people. we're
envelopet in the darkness which fol-
lowed reconstruction. Despite tlie,aw-
FIJI sacrifices which the war had en-
tailed despite the 1oss of .Ther best
blood upon SO many battlefelds, de-
spite the destruction of her social and
material system, despite the agonies Of
reeonstructionaand the deprivation of
liberty. which followed, T., her people,
with unsurpassed devotion 10 public
duty, had again and again waged a
successful struggle for local self-gov-
ernment only to find their victory frus-
tfated aud the fruits thereof turn to
ashes in their hands by the instrument
tally oflaws created for Sitting and
perverting their, will. In 1876. the
struggle was renewed with an earnest
nessi6fpurposs Indicative of the awful
consequences to result from defeat.
Sir, that struggle was successful. But
when we, the representatives of the
Re9plejmetto carry Tout their desires,
the same obstacles which had previ- !
onsfy prevented the establishment of a |
representative government confronted |
ifhedState House occupied by a
linsurplng government, and with the |
Federal government, if not aiding, at
least seemingly countenancing it, rem
deEsttthe hope iofsits everthrowj faint |
indeed, | know, sir that the brave |
hearts ofthe people II. the State were |
really todespondFto ahyicall Iiitle up |
onathem, but | know tile suffering I
which would have been .entailed had I
turmoil ensned. Conscious of this, |
slnsaml trnstingfto the Devotion of our |
own aM .thenairIotlsm of sthe Ameri-
can people, we organized our govern
nlenF anu put 1t IL practical operation
ihrongh many weary weeks of vieissi-
tnnqate, 81 anxiety, and of doubt, We
passed from a condition of uncertainty
toote Of Certainty. Without one sac
liheel oflaprinciple, witlioat anarchy,
Tue psurpatlan was .oyerthrown, and ga
government of the people, for thepeo-
pee aud by the people," was estab-
ilstled, aneyer,I trust, to pass away
agaaiIn , 4, iW1en | consider the struggle
which lea to this happy ccnsummaiion,
mhen Clock upon the faces OF nv col
ieagQes upon this floor and recall thet
nIst ,ai9nxlous meeting, tue frequent af-
Ter conference, the difference Of onin-
lon9exIsting, the tofBearauce by wiichI
nnanliplty was attained: and above
an Mr.. President, ,whep-I bring back
tne wise counsel. the promptness in
acting when action ,was required. and
Unequal irmness in. not acting when I
lhactlon vas best, shown hy tile true
sentiemelIi h"m.tliepeople had called {
10 the.chiel direction nj. then affairs
ana Yho,witIt more tiG,n Roman, cour. I
a,ganf simplicity new discharges the !,
uqtles ot'his Aihstfiee, L am impress I
Gu with the conviction that not ali t
S e!a led to tilis successful issue.
OFF, you doubtless bYing back the in,
age OF that struggle to your mind, for !
you were an actor in its slterrot;ons