The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-10

~ or moetly OF white men, Later, d man b,
the name OF st. Martin, confined In the parisl
jail OF st. Charles parish on charge Of muir
der OF coiored man, was taken therefrom b,
large number Of men and murdered. Th
MOB In this intance were colored men and tn
victim white man. Both Of these cases hav
received investigation from the grand jurie
OF the respective parishes, and yet nothing
has resulted from the investigation In eithe
CASE have no reason to doubt the thorough
sincerity, in each case, Of the officers conduct
Ing these Investigations. In one Instance
they were Republican, In the other Democrat
ic officials. II can scarcely be believed that
In these two affairs there are not persons moi
legally responsible for the crimes committed
who are cognlzant OF the same and yet hold
their peace when it is their duty to speak. ]
can lay no blame at the door or these officials
Even had they failed In their duty (which
they did not), being constitutional officers
they could not have been suspended or re-
moved by me; nor Is there any power granted
to any one, In any manner, to originate pro-
ceedings and try persons In any other par
ishes than those In which the crimes have
been committed. The constitution expressly
guarantees trial by the jury Of the parish
In which crime Is committed, subject only
to change Of venue when the case has
reached certain point. Despite my great de-
| sire to see the supremacy Of the law indicated
In all cases, and despite the fact that under
the shadow OF these great fundamental prin-
ciples the perpetrators Of crime may some
times escape detection and consequent pun
ishment, / should hesitate long to suggest
any modification In them vesting In either
the Executive or any other department the
power to initiate proceedings or try the same,
when 80 commenced, out OF the Jurisdiction
Of the court OF the parish or district where
the crime may have been committed. Such
power vested Ia the Executive. or any other
department, would be as powerful for harm
In bad hands as 1t would be for good In the
hands Of conscientious officers. | make
these remarks for the purpose Of show
Ing that good institutions and remedies
and honest officials require the concurrence Of
other facts to make them thoroughly effective.
After all, the real effective instrument for put
ting an end to acts OF lawlessness Is the force
OF public opinion manifesting itself on all
occasions In aid Of the supremacy of the law.
When, In the campaign Of 1876, proclaimed
through the State that In the event of my
election as Governor Of this State, felt as
sured that peace and good order would follow
did not do SO relying IL any manner upon
the mere physical and legal instrumentalities
which would be In my hands for that purpose
for was well aware that these were extreme
ly limited, confined almost entirely to report
Ing to this body careless or delinquent Off
cials, and sustaining from an injudicious use
OF the pardoning power. My declaration was
predicated upon the certainty that the election
Of the officers who were before the people
would eliminate most Of the causes Of bitter
ness and reproach then existing, and that the
gradual operation of conservative influence
Ultimately lead to complete good
g between ell classes and races, and |
the capitalization Of public sentiment /
lst all species OF lawlessness. NY |
crate judgment Is not to force, or attempt |
rce, these results by harsh proceedings, |
IT when they can be judiciously en-
d, for l foresee that course OF that |
cter will defeat the very end and object /
In view. The result of the softening
noes Of the last two years is apparent |
one who knows the State; and whilst
i6re and there d few bad men, or few fool
sh men, breed trouble, which all good men
egret, and whilst the good men In some
places have not taken the determined, active
tand against them that had hoped and ex-
'ected, am satisfied that day by day and
month by month we are surely moving for
yard to the condition Of things which all
GOD citizens are hopefully anticipating. /
ovJf M -, 20 l
y injudicious action, which some might
eem wise and right, as great calamity to
he State. / say this under a full sense of the
esponsibility which attaches to my position
has 80 happened that some of the acts OF
awlessness (which / condemn and regret)
ave been directed against colored men, and
is sometimes supposed that they have been
D directed by reason Of their being colored
len. This is not true. The fact results
ON the circumstance that the greater
lumber of the attractions OF the law are
ecessarily found In all communities among
lose classes who. from ignorance or idle ,
sss or thriftlessness, fail to understand and i,
opreciate their duties and obligations; and .
lat, In this State, the mass OF these classes
found among the colored people. The fact
their being colored people is merely acci- .,
,ntal and incidental. The same acts would |,
ke place under the same circumstances,
thout regard to color. It is a notorious
ct that for over twenty years there have ex-
ed, In some parts OF Louisiana, organiza-
ms known as vigilance Committees"
hose acts have stricken white men oftener
an colored men. 1t Is said that some OF the
3ubles In this State, within the last year, =
We had their origin In politics. l do not !
ppose that there Is any State in the Union !.
which politics have not been, more or less, =
3 cause Of difficulties. The passions and =
erests Of men In every community become = !,
much excited that, here and there, in every :, =
ate, troubles take place on that account. =
'uisiana does not differ In this respect from =
sister States. Troubles do not exist in i
uisiana based on opposition to any man =
ting on account Of his color. The exercise -