Louisiana Capitolian

ADDRESS OF THE HANCOCK ASSOCIATION OF LOUISIANA

On Wednesday night at a meeting of the above named organization, held at the State House in New Orleans, Ex-Gov. John McEnery, presiding, the following address was adopted, and on motion it was resolved to request all newspapers favoring the nomination of Gen. Hancock to publish the same:

ADDRESS.

In assuming the initiative where we have so long followed, in the matter of choosing a standard bearer, it is deemed proper that the considerations which impelled to this course should be made known. The convention assembles to choose our presidential candidate earlier than usual. While the Republicans, drilled and disciplined under executive patronage and government pay, hold continued caucus on party men and measures, the Democracy have scarcely quieted the rivalries and bickerings of former campaigns on the very eve of the most momentous struggle America has ever presented.

The South feels that something must be done quickly to heal the dissensions of political rivals in States hitherto always in the lead, and to strike a chord of enthusiasm and confidence that will unite all patriotic and true men in a struggle to restore our party and rescue our imperilled liberties.

Every department of the administration of the government, the Republican party have sanctioned encroachments upon the individual rights of citizens and States, and have striven to substitute official discretion for constitutional limits of authority. There can be no surer indication of the approaching overthrow of the liberties of the people and the union of the States, than the tendency towards usurpation of power by the courts and the Executive and the open threat of military methods suggested in the cry for a strong government.

The Democracy of the South know of no shield so potent for the protection of the liberties of the people and the union of the States as the brave heart and clear intelligence of that upright patriot and gallant soldier who, when entrusted with the power that makes tyrants of bad men, protested that the only guarantee for the nation's hopes was in the subordination of the military to the civil power! Corruption, nepotism, debauchery in high places, outrages on individual rights and plundering of States have come with military methods and Republican usurpations. We tender to the country a return to the simple faith of our fathers. We present a Union soldier without reproach—a general in the field, in peace a statesman and a patriot. We present a name without a spot or taint, which will give confidence and security to all interests and all sections. Of calm judgment and wise foresight, the name of Gen. W. S. Hancock will kindle enthusiasm throughout the length and breadth of the country, and with the enthusiasm will go the conviction that his election can never be evaded or set aside by Republican trickery or Republican bluster.

Democracy means protection to the rights of the people, protection to material interests, economy in government, official responsibility to the law, and permanence and power in the national government based upon the integrity and inviolability of local self government.

The South places its trust in Gen. W. S. Hancock as the one statesman who will enforce these doctrines; who, while he defends the Union, will also protect the integrity of the States and the rights of individuals.

Louisiana, desolated by war and Republican reconstruction, remembers her protector and friend, and gratefully holds up to her sister States his name for presidential nomination.

Signed
JOHN McENERY
President Hancock Association