The Louisiana Democrat

COMMUNICATED.

Mr. Editor:—The letter of your New Orleans correspondent Mercier, I did not read until the 20th inst. He has not given us history, simply fancy sketches. He says Presidents Lincoln and Johnson recognized the government of 1864, and says it is binding, &c. We shall see in time if so. I expect ere he reads this note a Provisional Governor will have been appointed. Then what becomes of his history?

Mercier says the members elected to both houses of Congress were admitted, but were not allowed to vote. "That they received their mileage, &c., at least they were not rejected." I think Mercier cannot point to a single instance in which parties claiming seats in Congress, though rejected, did not receive pay and mileage—even in contested elections both parties receive pay. So that part of his argument is worth nothing. Where are the men who were elected to Congress and the Senate under the Constitution of 1864? Some of them are serving government in quite different capacities, have given up all expectation of obtaining seats in Congress. The Senators are writing books to show they are entitled to seats. Did Congress ever before this postpone action for seats to another term?

Why did Gen. Hurlbut say he held Louisiana in the palm of his hand if we had civil government? You are fixing on him usurpation by your statement; which I will not agree to. If he was an usurper he was sustained by the President who you say recognized the Constitution of 1864 and declared it binding. It then should have had full force and effect, and carried out now by ordering elections throughout the State or State and Federal officers.

Before elections are held a Provisional Governor will be appointed who will do as other States are doing, who have had no conventions since the beginning of the war.

"When Mr. Roselius asked if he would be molested in the discharge of the duties of his office, and whether civil law was supreme the General answered in the negative."

Well, if the constitution of 1864 was in force why did the General answer as he did. The General is a first class lawyer, a gentleman, and not an usurper. Mr. Roselius' office was created by the Constitution of 1864 and he was appointed under its provisions.

Mercier says we have had a convention—that we have paid for one. Yes, we have paid for a nondescript of government. We are now paying very high for it. Look at the salaries we are paying, when they should be reduced because of the inability of the people to pay. Should we have a convention I trust that they will be reduced one-half what they are now. None should be voted for who will not promise to reduce them. I will require such a pledge for my vote.

Mercier says "strenuous efforts have been made to have a Provisional, or Military Governor appointed." That is news to me. The people have held no meetings for that purpose—and those in office have been telling the people to be quiet, that the status of the negro was not yet settled—that we might slip over that question—that he might remain unnoticed in his condition; which had the desired effect on those who held negroes. Wait, something might turn up yet for their benefit. I regret to see sensible men cajoled by such reasoning—sophistry, deception. It was intended to make men support such reasoners because they fear opponents. I have heard men of sense say we must support such and such men, for they stand well at Washington. What do the people care who, in particular, stands well at Washington. Let us do our duty in accordance with the oath we have taken—act up to it, and the people will stand well at Washington; we will not be under obligations to the few men who stand well at Washington. Then, friend Mercier, are my sentiments, though they may not be agreeable to you and your office holders. I am a conservative in the strictest sense of the word, therefore do not like a slipping, sliding, skulking, policy, or men. I heard a professional gentleman of character, a conservative, who said he was in a room with a high officer, one of the very highest, double locked, the key in his pocket, when such reasoning as stated, was retailed to him. He was full of it, believed all was safe if we could do without a convention. He did not see that officer was pleading for his salary of thousands, and for power and patronage.

Mercier says if the foreign element had contributed more liberally the South might not have been subjugated. Perhaps so, but I think if the sons of Louisiana had been true who went into the army instead of deserting, sneaking and skulking in bye-ways and finally going over to the Federal side, filling Federal offices; and others who stated to the commanding General in Rapides when interrogated, that they were good Southern men as any in the South; and then the first opportunity skulked off to the Federals, and obtained high positions, the South would not have been subjugated.

Some of these very skulkers are asking, and expect office at the hands of those who they deserted, who will, "with a determination never to leave a stone unturned that will assist in smashing the last man, &c." Be it so. Stand firm, and vote for no such candidate—and they are all alike who fled us—If you vote for such you blacken your record. I trust we have no such cravens among us. Take up Yankees first, they would not crush you. They would, as citizens, act for the country, not to crush you as Mercier threatens.

Mercier is exquisite. He says he pays all debts he contracted before the war with Confederate money of the last issue. And he doubts if I have made any payments of that class of debts since the close of the war. If I have not it is because I had no money. He deserves no credit for his attempt at ridiculing me because I am poor and have no money, except Confederate. I will give him a high per cent. if he will pay my debts with Confederate money. From his associates, high in authority, doubtless he has learned much that is useful to him. Unfortunately but few have the like opportunities. Whether I would confer a favor on mankind by letting you know who I am I cannot believe, for you would not let mankind know who I am. I might interfere with the high position your mind has elevated you to.

In conclusion, whether "I am a subjugated reb or an alien enemy," I will not vote for any candidate for office who did not go into the field to meet those who invaded my country to subjugate me. And any man who does so vote blackens his record. He is truly subjugated who does so vote.

A VOTER.