Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-06-07
LOuisiana's Warming to
the World.
JANUARY 30, 1870.

JANUARY 80, 1870.
The PAST RECALLED I
{ Extract from the Nov OrleaMs Be-, Of
February 81, 1901
In accordance with the call signed
by q large portion Of our citizens and
published in the papers, there was al
assemblage Of i've Or six thousand
persons last night on Lafayette square
to consider the action Of the Legisla-
ture, and determine what can be done
to check them in their infamous ca
reer.
The assenblage was called to order
by Col. j. Is. Walton, who announced
the officers Of the meeting:
Mr.. DeFertet on being introduced
made o few appropriate remarks
thanking the audience in handsome
terms for the honor Of calling npoll
him to preside on SO important an oc-
cAsiOn. ~. y
Gen. Harry 7. Hays, by request,
came forward and in q brief and for
vent manner expressed the objects
for which the meeting had beer called.
Col. james o. Fuqua, Of Baton
Rouge, was then introduced as one Of
the prominent speakers Of the meet
ing, and us usual, made q clear
and forcible address exposing the
many acts of the Legislature in the
severest terms and expressing his in.
dignation in the most unqualified
manner, His speech, 20 fur as il
went, was a most lucid and logical
exposition Of the monstrous action Of
the General Assembly, and was only
only interrupted by failure Of hit
voice from hOarseness, very much tt
the disappointment of the audience
causing him to leave his line Of argu-
mcnt incomplete.
We refrain consequently, from Civ.
ing an abstract of his remarks, at his
own request, observing, however, thai
his address, incomplete us it was, wal
received with marked appreciation.
Col. Fuqua, as chairman of the com
mittce on resolutions, previously ap'
pointed, and composed besides him
self of Messrs. John NJ. Sandidge, NJ
Musson, A. s. Heron and B. Is
Simms, read the following preamble
and resolutions, expressive Of thu
sense Of the meetings:
WHEREAS, Certain measures have
been introduced in, and arc nov
pending before the General Assembly
of Louisiana, which propose to give
to the Executive Of the State the con
troll of the elections, and the admins
tlation of justice; to establish in OH
midst an armed aud uniform militia
subject absolutely to his orders, ant
to confer upon private corporation
exclusive privileges, and to gram
l
them State aid to u ruinOns extent
therefore he it resolved by this meet
ing, representing, as We claim to do
the people Of Louisiana, without dis
tinction Of party
1. That we view with indignation
and alarm the efforts which are being
made by unprircipled and selfsl
men to impovelisll us upon the ON
hand and cnslave us on the other, an,
that we can regard the men who nd
vocate those measures, whether in o.
out of the Legislature, in n9 othe
light than public enemies.
2. Rcsoircd, That the series o
measures known as the Constabular,
Bill, the Militia Bill, the Registration
Bill and the Election Bill, are bu
parts Of a system which, if success
fully inaugulated, will destroy tn
freedom of elections, and in connec
ton with former legislation, co,cen
t,..te in the hands of the Executive
controlling and most dangerous innu
ence over all the branches Of the Stat
government, and make him IN abso
lutte despot, clothing him, ut the sam
time, with the means Of perpetuatin
his power.
3. Resolved, That our opposition t
these measures does not depend upo
the character Of any particular ind
vidnal who may now or hereafter fl
the office of Governor, but we sol
emily protest against comforting sue
unlimited power upon any man, q
utterly opposed to the genius of Re
publican institutions and dangerou
to the liberties of the people.
4. That we are not here as the OF
ponents of, any particular tinanci'
} railroad scheme or schemes no
pending, or that may he hereafter III
PRODUCED in the Legislature, but "
declare ourselves unalteably oppose
to any increase in the liabilities Of I'll
State and equally opposed to a
schemes which propose to establis
monopolies or confer exclusive righ
or privileges upon individuals or co
porations. Believing as we do, thu
! all such legislation tends to repre
competition, to shackle and embarra'
commerce is destructive Of libert,
and at war with the fundament
; principles of free government.
5. That while we earnestly desi
to maintain the credit and honor
the State, and will cheerfully subm
to any taxation that may be necessa1
to pay in principal and interest ever
!: debt that has been honestly and fair
I + contracted, yet there is q point b
I You'd which we cannot and will n
go, and we now give notice to Il
| world, that we intend to use all Il
4 means in our power to prevent Il
4 payment of any bonds or other o5l
S cations of the State which may her
j. after be fraudulehtly Or corruptly i
sued, the Issue of which is indispens
# bly, necessary to the proper admin
r. tration of the State government or