Year: 1873

THE MEETING AT EXPOSITION HALL


In some respects only was the unifica-
ton meeting Tuesday night success,
whereas its grand objects should have
crowned it with a complete triumph. 1t
was success SO far as the gathering of
colored people was concerned. and the
efforts of their representative speakers to
secure the unity of the people-white and
black-for the redemption of Louisiana
from evils of the most serious nature; but
it was not success SO far as the attend
ance of white men and the efforts OF their
representative speakers in just and noble
cause is concerned. We are credibly In
formed, Notwithstanding the statement OF
the Times to the effect that there were four
white men to one black in attend
ance, that upon fair count our
colored fellow citizens present would nave
been found to be in the majority. But on
the score Of speakers, to advocate ana
push forward the great movement that Is
to weld all our people together-reSard-
less of party or color-who are willing 10
work for the prosperity OF LOUISIANA, Tue
colored people. it must be conceded. pore
off the laurel. MIR. Marks, who was Justly
Lopored with the position OF presiding
officer Of the meeting. made some
very excellent remarks upon taking the
chair: and he was aided by Colonel
Hill. who made few remarks prior to in
PRODUCING the resolutions prepared tor
the Consideration and adoption OF the
meeting. But aside from this the white
element was not prepared ito advocate
by speech" upon that occasion the highly
commendable objects Of the new move
ment. A list of orators, it seems. had
been prepared. but the representatives OF
the Caucasian race failed to turn up.
The Hon. William NJ. Randolph was an
nounced as the first speaker, and he not
being present Hon. I. 7. Allaln,
of West Baton Rouge. was next
called. This gentleman. who is
fair representative man OF the
African race in our State, responded to
the CALL He made the opening speech OF
the evening. and commenced with a re-
view of the past history of our country,
going back. as he said. to remind those
present Of "another era in the march OF
freedom and human progress. before
speaking of matters that are now engross-
ing the public mind. He spoke at some
length, and concluded by urging the
adoption of the resolutions embodying the
views and sentiments of the unifcation
organization. Considering that MIR. Allan
was slave when the war broke out. ne
must be regarded as honorable evidence o.
the progress that is being made among
our colored fellow-citizens.


Hon. J. Henri Burch. another repre-
sentative man of the colored element III
our State. was the next speaker. He
spoke at great length, favoring the unfit
cation movement, and with much seeming
sincerity thought it practical and the best
way to work the State out OF its present
difficulties. Mr.. Burch is not only pol
ished speaker, but he is an earnest and fore
ible one, and his effort at Exposition Hall
must have convinced those Of the white
race who had not heard him before. that
be is also living example of that progress
the African race is capable Of making
under Republican rule as understood and
practiced by Americans.


Mr.. Burch and Mr. Allain are at present
members of the Louisiana Legislature.


Hon. James Lewis. also representative
man Of the colored race, made some re-
marks indorsing the speeches Of the col
ored speakers, and concluded by making
pledge 'that if the white people will
carry out their part Of the contract. the
colored people will carry out theirs"


1t will be seen, then. by the showing
made at Exposition Hal! that that portion
of the white people Of this city who were
supposed to favor the objects of the unfit
cation movement are not prepared 10
carry out their part Of the contract. This
is quite evident from the feeble manner in
which they advocated by speech the
consummation of the contract at their
recent ratification meeting. The observ-
ance of the contract by the white people
of this city, who. were supposed to be
ready "to advocate it By speech. and pen.
and deed" having apparently failed, its
chances of being ratified by the people at
large must be materially damaged. But
this does not necessarily detract from the
efforts Of such men as Mr.. Marks and
others. who have. We are disposed to
think. gone into the movement with q
sincere desire to benefit the State.