The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-07-24
A GOOD OMEN.

record and which will be read with gratifica-
tion by all good people throughout the coun-
try. In accordance with the custom which
prevails III oil delberative assemblies, just
prior to adjournment, Mr.. Landry offered a
resolution on behalf Of the minority ackowl-
edging the courtesy, fairness and impar-
TALLY Of the presiding officer. Usually, this
Is a mere formality, and is usually regarded
as mere ceremonious courtesy to an officer
who has not made himself positively OBJ
noxlous.
In this instance, however, the resolution
was clearly intended as something more than
mere cold and meaningless formalfty.
President Witt could but have been highly
gratified ct the frank and sincere tribute that
was paid him, both In the resolutions and the
remarks, particularly, Of the colored leaders
who spoke to it. The acknowledgment Of his
consistent courtesy and impartinlity, and Of
his conspicuous abilities as O. presiding off,
Ger, was frank and unstinted, and constituted
d tribute which ID seldom rendered and less
often deserved.
This expression OF kind feeling was not con-
fined, however, to President Witt, but was
extended 50 as to comprehend the entire DEM
ocratie majority In the Convention. The in
PRODUCTION Of the resolution Was made the oe-
casion for the frankest acknowledged on
the part Of the colored members, notably
Messrs. Landry, Pinchback, Demas and
Allain of the uniform courtesy and considera-
tion they had experienced at the hands oil
their Democratic fellow-members on the floor
OF the Convention. In their remarks these
men, who represent all Of the various elements
OF the Republican party on the floor Of the
Convention, referred not only to the treatment
they had received personally and as men,
bers Of the Convention, but they spoke In the
most laudatory terms Of the fair and liberal
spirit which had controlled the deliberations
Of the Convention In all matters OF interest to
their race. Some Of them went 80 far as to
declare the constitution about to be sub
mitted more liberal In this respect than that
Of any other State In the Union.
The colored speakers specially emphasized
their qualification at the refusal Of the Con-
vention to place any restrictions upon the
electoral franchise. This they declared a
mark Of confidence In their race which far ex-
ceeded any that had yet been accorded them
in any other State, and would result In re-
storing tranquility to our disturbed labor
systems. These evidences of the kind feeling
existing between the different elemente
Of our people are extremely crafty
ing, and none the less so because
we are conscious that the fact ie
attributable as much to the bearing and ad-
mirable temper of the colored members Of the
Convention as to any other circumstance.
They have always been vigilant and alert In
watching and protecting the interests OF theiI
people, as well as In the advocacy Of such
measures as they believed would prove con-
ducive to the general welfare OF the State.
Yet their bearing throughout has been marked
| by the utmost courtesy and an absence OF
anything like prejudice or bad blood.
This Is all as 1t should be, and such inter-
changes OF kindness and courtesy as this will
we trust, result In bringing to the support Of
the constitution the people of both political
parties.
Notwithstanding the fact that 1t has beer
asserted that the Republican party will OPP
pose certain Of the measures adopted by the
Convention, notably the debt ordinance, vel
it would appear from the spirit prevailing al
adjournment that both white and colored
delegates will return to their homes deter
mined to lay down their individual objections
and instead Of raising or continuing issues
calculated to promote unending strife In the
State they will accept the action OF the Con
vention as the best results to be had, ane
accord all the ordinances an earnest support