Year: 1872

course, and we have done 81


in the resolutions now before


the Senate. The next clause refer


to the annual message of Excel.


lency the Governor, in which sew.


eral specified reformatory measures


are recommended. We pledge our.


selves as Senators TO take such ac-


ton as will secure to the people the


results of those recommendations.


We have been here a week for that


purpose; We are here to-day for


that purpose, and we will be here


tomorrow for that purpose. If


they are not adopted, who are to


blame but those Senators who are


absent from their seats to-day? 1


pledge myself to vote for every


measure that has for its object the


reduction of taxation-the relief of


the people from the burdens which


they are now laboring UNDER. and


the restoration of the State of Lou


isiana to her once prosperous con-


dition. We can make this q pros


porous and happy State if we try,


and 1 believe the Senators present


are ready and willing to do SO. If


these absent Senators do not pre-


sent themselves and prove their sim


cerity by their acts, as we have


done, they should be placed upon


the record as enemies to the State
enemies to wholesome and wise


legislation; friendly to confusion,
friendly to anarchy, friendly to rob-


berry, friendly to all the train of evils


which follow revolution, when cut


thToats are let loose upon the COM
munity, and the power of the law is
paralyzed. I say that they must
come here and act with us in the
passage of proper laws, or lay them
selves liable to the accusation of
bringing upon the community all
the evils that I have mentioned. It
is proper that these resolutions
should go before the people in order
that they may read in letters of fire
the danger which threatens them
from the Inauguration of the evils
portrayed in the preamble. I un-
derstand that the seventeen Sena-
tors present pledge themselves 10
reform, and l am glad that ] an
able to say SO. 1t is the welcome
evidence that a brighter era is
dawning upon a darkened State.
Let US stand together like men,
knowing our rights, knowing our
dignity, knowing the responsibility
OF our positions, and daring to do
our duty though the heavens fall.


Mr.. Barber-I regret very much |
MIR. President, that my poor ability
will not permit me to express my SEN
timents upon this question as would |
wish, but in view of The extraordinary |
which demand our at
tention at the present time. I do not
think it proper to allow the opportu-
nifty to pass without saying few
words upon the resolutions now before
the Senate. 1t is we'll known to every
one that great political changes have
taken place in this country with
In the last few years, resulting in tho
enfranchisement of race which had
been IN state of servitude, and de-
prived, in consequence, of all the adj
vantages enjoyed by other men. IN
acquainted as We are with political
matters, yet conceive land l wish to
impress this fact upon the mind of
every one within the sound of nv
voice. that there are many among MS
who have sufficient penetration to !
what is right and Just,
and what We should do in the interest
Of those who have selected us to rep
resent them in the halls OF legislation.
Now, Mr. President, the Senators who
have absented themselves from the
Senate Chamber for the past week are
directly violating the trust reposed in
them by their constituents, for they
have pledged themselves to come here
and pass such laws as the interests of
the people demand. Where are they
3 day? Upon what pretext do they
7bsent themselves from their seat /?
Why are they not here to cast their
votes in favor Of those measures of
reform which they have pledged them
selves upon the various rostrums
throughout the State to support |
IL H., Il