Year: 1879

A Republican speech was delivered by Gen

 Stewart l.. Woodford, of New York, in New

 Orleans on Saturday evening, Nov 29, to ar

 audience of 5000 people, mostly white, anc

 the greater proportion Democrats. We quote

 from the New York Times report, presenting

 the more important portions of the address:

 My FELLOW -ooUNTRYMEN When the Con

 federacy grounded it's arms at Appomattox, the

 great Captain of the Union forces spoke in one

 sentence the will and wish of the North and

 the nation when he said "Let us have peace. '

 believe that he also spoke the prayer and

 purpose of the wisest and best men of the suf.

 fering South, Whatever may have since been said or done, whatever prejudice may have I prompted or passion wrought. l believe that all men of sense, all men willing to work and seeking to save, all men of faith, and all men of progress this day ''de- | sire" to have peace. Bear with me in frank

 words, without mark or disguise. We shall know each other better and like each other more heartily, if we say to each other just

 what each means. You fou Int with great courage. You were beaten without disgrace Had you succeeded, you would only have carved your way by successful swords to a gi- gantic failure. Your proposed system of gov ernment was "a rope of sand" Your propos- ed partnership of States recognized no bond save local elf-interest, and could be severed by any of its members. Weakened by slavery at home. you would have been at the mercy of domestic instructions. Weakened by the | acknowledged right of secession, you would have been powerless against foreign foe. Your system must inevitably have ended in petty and independent and warning States, or in consolidated empire. Your wisest to-day see this. Your bravest make the admission

 Fortunately for yourselves, fortunately for us, your defeat saved you from certain anarchy or military despotism. It saved to all of ns our common Union, with all the blessings that con- stitutional free government should give.

 How shall this peace de assured ? Only by equal and exact justice to all and for all This will give it, and nothing else will or should or can. First justice, then peace, is the essen- tial condition of the prosperity of our people as one nation. When you come to the North to visit, to trade or to reside, you are absolute ly entitled to an equal citizenship with us, un- molested by any because of your political or religious opinions, or your past participation in the rebellion. This we recognize, not as a matter of generosity, but as your absolute con- stitutional right by virtue of your American citizenship. Now every right you have when coming to the North we should have when coming to the South. No more, no less, A Democrat comes from Mississippi to Louisiana to make his residence You do not stigmatize him as carpet-bagger. You do not deny him the privilege of voting the Democratic ticket. NO business employment or social recognition IS wthheld because of his birth-place or his pol ltlcs. This is as it should be. A Democrat comes from Louisiana to New York to reside. We do not care about his birthplace or his politics. He goes to what church he will, or does not go at all. He votes with what party he will, or does not vote at all. No bank or parlor is closed to him because of his birth place or political belief. No lady dreams of thinking what are the politics of any gentle man when she invites guests to her house, or to what party her friends husband belongs, when she makes up her visiting list We choose our clerks because of their fitness, and our friends because of their culture and con- geniality. Just such equality of privilege we expect, and you should give, when we come to live in any Southern State.

 The first condition of a perfect reconciia- tion and of an abiding friendship is simple jus tlce. The first condition of justice is simple toleration by all, of the rights of each. I wish to speak as frankly about the treatment and rights of Southern Republicans, both white and black. When you had been beaten in fair fight, we gave you back your property, for felted by law of war, and your citizenship forfeited by your own voluntary rebellion. What acre of your broad plantations has been confscated since the war closed? What man among you is denied the privilege of voting Democratic ticket because of any word spok- en or shot fired in aid of the Confederacy? Look this thing squarely in the face, and an- swer me frankly. Reverse the picture, and answer me another question as frankly. Do you deal with the Southern white Republicans and negro Republicans as fairly and as gener- ously as we have dealt by youg Look into your own consciences and answer for your selves There isa simple pathway out from all thls bitterness There is no need that we should wander forty years in this wilderness of passion and of hate There IS no need that all should die who left Egypt before we enter Canaan. Are you willing to turn your backs on the past and simply give every legal voter in Louisiana the right to vote once, and then have his vote honestly counted In one word this nation will have no more midnight whip pings; no more White Leagues no more tis- sue ballots inside, the ballot-box no more shot,