Year: 1878

yote ofthe people.


H4ving laid down this platform of prin-
eiples we consider it proper to advert to a
few other matters of general interest and
eoncernment


Without the most remote allusion to
the political policy of the past the Com
nittee must refer to the joint resolu ton
adopted by the Legislature of louisa ma
on the nineteenth of April, 1877, and sub
sequently by the Governor Of the State.
In these resolutions it was understood
that the State government pledged itself
for the preservation of the public peace,
and for equal justice to all citizens, with
our regard to color or other political con
dition. Upon review of these resolu-
tons they will be found to contain
the following engagements. They pledge
the government of Louisiana to accept
in good faith the thirteenth, fourteenth
and fifteenth amendments of the oonsti-
tution of the United States in letter and
in spirit They guarantee the enforce
ment Of the laws rigidly and impartially,
to the end that violence and crime shall
be suppressed and promptly punished,
and that peace and order prevail, and that
the humblest laborer upon the soil of
Louisiana, throughout every parish in the
State, of either color, shall receive full
and equal protection of the law in person,
property, political rights and privileges
The education of all classes of the peop le
is provided for by the equal and uniform
taxation upon property, as provided in
the Constitution of the State, and which
shall secure the education Of the childre
Of white and eolored citizens with equal
advantages. It moreover, stipulated
that the Nichols government will dis
countenance any attempted persecution
from any quarter of individuals for past
political conduct"


While it is our duty in eandor to say
that the course of the State adininistra-
ton would indicate the sincerity and to a
great extent, the success of this legisla-
ton, it is very well known that the doc
trines and expressions contained in the
resolutions are in direct contradiction Of
the unexecuted principles ofa large portion
of the party that had adopted them, II
could not be well determined whether the
ultra Democratic element which but late
ly constituted the White Lsague had
merely suspended its hostility to these
doctrines during the distribution Of the
spoils, or has accepted in good faith the
only terms on which these spoils were
accessible. In this state of uncertainty
the Republicans were startled by an in.
formation fled at the official relation of
the Attorney General, member of "the
Nichols government" an indictment
against the members of the late Rsturn
ing Board for alleged malfeasanee
in the performance Of duties cas-
upon them by law. This prose
cution was regarded, and rightly by
many citizens, as violation of the gene
raj amnesty; and though this apprehen
sion was somewhat relieved by the dis.
missal of the prosecution under an ap
pellate decision Of the Supreme Court Of
the State, it could not escape the obserya-
ton Of intelligent minds that this rulting
did not meet the question OF violated
pledge, nor has any occasion arisen since
to test the purpose or the ability of thl
conservative citizens to maintain thoat
pledges.


There have been occasional acts OF vio


lence by one and all against each other
and some by white people against thei


own r%ce, which while, they have beel


rehuked by the State authority show tha


this lawless spirit, though, is not extinct


and that the whole moral force Of tn


State may be required to quell and to con


troll it. Until, therefore, it shall have beei


determined whether these resolutions ar


an armistice, or peace, a truce or a treaty


the Republicans of Louisiana mus


be considered as occupying delicate,


not dangerous position. Every cor
sideration Of principle and Of prudenc
would, therefore, dictate that they shoul
regard themselves as corps of obse rva


ton and guarantee ready to fall int
ranks with any who may stand up in de


fense oaflaw which embraces purposes
indispensable to their political existence


If by any political accident the D,
mocracy shall succeed in crushing ont il
conservative influence, it may virtual
nullify the terms Of the compact It ma
even implant in the law, and in the cor
struetion Of the law, all that intoleranC
and inequality from which the RepubIiea
citizens have suffered so much and againi


(which they have 50 long and so succes.
fully contended. With this domestic dar
: ger, the probable prospect Of a nations
, ADMINISTRATION, diminished in all its d,
partments, renders any hope of reli,
against unfrienaly State legislation tc
remote 9or estimate. Oneimpo1tant cue


tion then presented for consideration L
how may the Republican party Of Iou
isiana best maintain the rights accorde
them By thsir political opponenta2 tt
manner in which this may be most effe
tnally done has been already sol forth
this address. We can only add that,