The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-19

become known as mocking threat that, unless
you are Bourbon freeman, your life, your lib
erty and your enjoyment of your political rights
are at the mercy of band as lawless as high
waymen and as desperate as outlaws. The mot
to of BourbOniSm, interpreted by the blaze OF
their weapons, reads: "Unless you are BOuC-
bon freeman yOu shall be the Bourbons' slave or
a Bourbon-nade corpse"
II this be overdrawn where is the first word of
censure from any so-called Democratic source,
IN or out of the State, of the crimes which are
but feebly set forth In this recitalq
Under these circumstances what course shall
Readjusters pursue hencetOrth4 Is il true,
asserted by our enemies, that we are hOpelessy
crnshedl Are we to disband, coWed and de-
morallzed and leave the field In the undisputed
possession of the BOurbons2 Shall some of us
make terms OF peace and surrender with our
foes, while others retire in sullenness, eilence
and submission, to await n more propitiOus op-
portnnlty for reorganization and resistanoe2
Fellow citizens OF the Readluster party, for
myself, and speaking doubtless on, behalf of
thousands OF Virg1niaDs as true and brave as
any OF our sons, while deplOriug much as
anyone the disaster which has overtaken our
cause, am thankful for this opportunity to
proclaim now, surrounded by temporary clouds
and darkness, as boldly and defiantly as when
our cause was bathed in sunshine. that our
hearts are firmly and forever fixed to the immu-
table principles of liberty and human right as
announced by the liberal PLATFORM; and that the
hght shall go on against the bigotry and violence
of Bourbonism as long as it shall please God to
spare our lives for the struggle.
When we began this contest we were in a mi
nSrlty. Those who enlisted under the banner OF
read1ustment catue to no victorious camp to win
laufels In campaign of certain victory, and
tney made no terms that defeat should grant
them their discharge They came to a standard
which had no victory emblazoned upon it. They
enlisted for the war; and, to-day, gathered
around 1t In its first defeat, they can yet read
upon lts hattle-searred folds splendid tale of
victories which they themselves have won, and
reform for triumphs more glorious than any
that have gone before.
DUTY OF THE READJUsTERs.
The scope of the Readjuster party has en-
larged with its age and growth. 1t originated
in an issue local, and to some extent unpopular
With time and the changing issues which time
brings, it has wldened Its sphere, and, while its
original object has become less prominent, is
sues of nationalism, of human rights. of liberty,
OF peace, of manhood, of republican govern
ment, have been forced upon it by the fierce on
slaught of Bourbonism, until these issues are
broad enough to be national, and it has the sym
pathy of every man in this nation who loves
liberty and abhors the prescription and bigotry
OF caste, class. and race prejudice which is the
life of Bourbonism
For myself as your chairman from the outset
OF TINS struggle, have conceived that the true
duty imposed upon me by the spirit of our party
was to wage undying war upon Bourbonism;
not only as it is opposed to the debt settlement;
not only as it is imbecile, heartless, and waste
ful in administration; not only as tits the enemy
of free suffrage; but as 1t is the enemy of that
true democracy which means that the humble
and weak shall participate in and be protected
Dy Jn6 administration OF the government as well
as the powerful and strong.
In the effort TO perpetuate caste, class and
race rule by crushing out by force. fraud or 9TH
erwise, the weak and unprotected in this State,
the BOurbons have made a gulf between them,
selves and the Readjuster party which shall
yawn forever, for they cannot bridge it, and we
will not.
Let the fight proceed. If we are to be in the
minority in the future, it is C minority strug-
Cling for principles as strong and holy as when
they were backed by majority. The manhood
which sustains them in defeat proves sincerity
and devotion which in due time must aud will
be crowned with triumph But, whether future
triumphs come not, the blessings we have
secured for Virginia are fixed and indestructi-
bler Our enemies stand before us.
We know that they are our foes and the foes
OF bur Commonwealth; that they have in the
past paraly zed her energies, robbed her treas
ufy, defrauded and dwarfed her free-schools,
strangled her suffrage, brought national hate
upon her, adhered to no principle, and made
terms with any renegade or prostitute who
would aid them And that they have at last
triumphed by murder and blOodshed that have
disgraced the State. We know that we have
asked for and given no quarter in the past, that
we will accept none, and promise none now.
We know that with Bourbonism before us we
have an enemy to fight, powerful and danger
GUS to the interests of the State. We know that,
masqueradingi in the stolen livery of Democracy,
1t is no true representative of Democracy, either
in principle or personnel, ana believe the Re-
adJuster party will, when 1t next meets in cOuu-
ell, unite cordially and thoroughly with our
friends. State and NATIONAL and make common
cause with them against the BOurbOns, their
aiders, counselOrs and abettors, State and ma
tional, by whatsoever name they may be desig-
mated.
L repeat, therefore, that the struggle against
Bourbonlsm is to be renewed forthwith, and to
the death. and, your chairman, call upon
every loyal Readjuster il Virginia to rally to the
standard and reform TO fight new battle
against their old Bourbon foe in the national
campaign of 1884
Bearing in mind the old watchword of a free
ballot and fair count, we have a right to de-
nand and expect support from the State, and, if
need be, from the federal government, in behalf
of the rights of man, guaranteed by both gov
ernments, and put at stake to procure the as
tendency of an unscrupulous party that sticks
at nothing to acquire power.