The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1855-03-17
HON. z. ". CULLoM.

H
HON. z. NJ CULLOM.
We publish to-day the Correspondence Of
our worthy Representative addressed to the
Editors of the Baton Rouge Advocate, called
forth BY an article which appeared in the col
umns of that paper, in which an unjust and
erroneous reference is made to Mr.. Cullom.
We also give the amende honorable of the Ad-
vocate, together with the statement of Mr.. D.
Martin, Official Reporter of the House of Re
representatives., touching this matter. Our Cor
respondent at Baton Rouge assures us that the
position and conduct of Mr.. Cullom in this af-
fair met with universal appreciation.
BATON RouGE, March 9Th, 1885.
Editor Baton Rouge AduocGie t..
Sir-An article appeared in your paper Of
yesterday, the It'll inst, containing the follow
ing editorial
STRONG L~ANauAGE.-In the debate in the
House yesterday, some one charged that the
Hon. Thomas Green Davidson, the odd war
horse of democracy" as whilom he was called,
was in sentiment or by association o Know
Nothing, and cited some obsolete and irrele-
want document in justification. Mr.. Davidson,
then in the chair pro temp promptly descended.
He said that he uas a " native American a
true native American he was proud that he
could appropriate that glorious appellation F.;
and whenever he realized its application and its
lofty import lie felt himself grow at least sir
inches m stature. But the man who said that
he skunk into ~recesses, at the midnight hour,
and behind n tallow candle plotted treason and
iniquity against the country, uus an unmltiga-
ted IL. This was strong language, but it
is about the only mode of refuting such gratu-
itous charges.
This, sir, is unfounded in every particular, in
so far as l am concerned, and | am the only in
dividual to whom your article would have re-
ference in the connection above alluded to.
No such language was used in the debate re-
ferred to by you, by myself or Mr.. Davidson.
This point was unequivocally settled in the
House to-day, and il further proof be wanting,
l refer to David Martin, Esq, the official Re-
porter of the House.
Respectfully, Il. n. CULLoM.
The above paragraph to which Mr.. Cullom
has taken serious exception, embodied the i'm
preston made by a current outside conversa-
tion-which we have been assured by the Re
porter OF the House was erroncous-in regard
to a somewhat heated debate which had Just
transpired in the House. 1t is proper to state,
that it came to the Advocate Office as an g item,''
and was laid aside ny the editor as q sort of
memorandum, indicating the substance and eff
feet OF remarks made hya member of the House,
with a view to keep it back till more authentic
information was had. But by q process, not
necessary to explain to those familiar with the
haste and impetuosity of a daily newspaper Of
tice, 1t got into print and had publication, with
out the editors knowledge at the time. That
1t did not undergo proot-reading by him or any
other person, would seem apparent, from several
typographical and clerical blunders-sins which
seldom escape the notice of an editor.
No ~allusion was intended to Mr.. Cullom-
for whom personally all the editors of the Ad-
vocate have none but feeling of respect and re-
gard-nor was it known that Mr.. Cullom was
identified peculiarty-as it appears he was--or
connected, in any way, with the debate in oues-
ton. AS soon rs we learned that Mr.. C. felt
aggfieved by the paragraph, and Mr.. David
sons remarks did not contain the strong expires
sion imputed to him, We sought Mr.. Cullom,
IN order to disavow any intention, on our part,
to do him a wrong, or place him into a false
position, and to tender him q voluntary correc-
ton of the inadvertent paragraph. Before this,
however, Mr.. o.. in personal explanation be-
tween himself and Mr.. Davidson, in the House,
had seen proper to vindicate himself by retort-
ing upon the Advocate an offensive expression
used IN the paragraph. He also, shortly after
wards, addressed the above note to us, which
we publish with alacrity and in pursuance of
our original intention, have Denned the forcoo-
ing remarks by way of explanation and cor
%rectlon, relying with confidence on Mr.. Cul-
lom's sense of justice to place us right before
the House.
Inc following extract from the reports of the
House OF yesterday, according to understanding,
has been furnished for publication in The Ad-
vocate
Mr., CuLLoM.-Mr. Speaker, / beg permits
SION oil the House TO make Il personal explains
ton, which will not consume more than a mo-
monts time.
Members are aware that on yesterday, |
called attention to an editorial article in the
Baton Rouge Advocate. 1t is not necessary
Tor me to do more than allude to that article
now, and to the language employed in referring
to the editors Of that paper. 1t now affords me
pleasure to state that those gentlemen have
made the Gmeade honorable, and that I am SAT-
lsficd. !, therefore, withdraw the expression.
MAIDEN abiding TO them, and request that what
l now utter may be placed upon the Journals
Oh the House. ID. MARTIN, Official Reporter,
ofElousAs R~AILRoAD.-The new Beard Of
Directors al their meeting on Tuesday last
elected q w ID P,y1o- ~ GI. So I, = '