The American patriot., 1855-06-09
Hon. Charles Derbigny.

Hon. Charles Derbigny.
The subioincd communication, written by one
of our best citizens and most extensive mer-
chants, suggests the Hon. Charles Dcrbigny as
the most suitable man the people ofLouisiana
could elect to the gubernatorial Office at the en-
suing election of November next
Our correspondent does nothing more than
simple justice to the spotless character, fine in
tellect, exalted claims and undoubted services
of the exalted gentleman concerning whom he
writes so truthfully. We heartily endorse as
an individual, every word he has seen fit to
write down. The subject of his article, like
the Chevalier Bayard, stands before the people
of Louisiana sans peur ct sans reproshe. There
is no blemish upon his public or private escutch-
eon-not a particle. 1t is clear and untarnish-
ed.
| But, while we freely give expression to these
sentiments. We must remind our correspondent
that conductors of public journals very often
have delicate duties to perform and none are
more so than those which dictate line of
strict neutrality between the claims ofrival as
Dirants. This line it is sometimes difficult to
| follow with due impartiality. or prcjuice, out
side pressure, or the importunities Of friends,
are very hard to withstand, and too often the
editor unintentionally depreciates the chanches
ofore or more persons before the community
by eulogizing the merits and claims of his or
their competitor. We do not consider course
becoming or fair The public Judgment should
not thus be forestalled; neither should aspirants
be thus advanced or retarded. All should have
an equal showing; and when selections are
1t full liberty to take whichever side they
choose, none at all, if holding off comports
with their ideas of property. So much for our
views of editorial duty, when the claims of
opposing candidates are pressed upon the peo-
pie; and we have written them, not because
our correspondent has called upon us to take
sides, or even intimated such desire, but in
order that our views on the subject might be
clearly understood, and mistakes in future
avoided. The next canvass, if we do not mis-
interpret the signs of the times, will be extrem-
" exciting, and will elicit more feeling among
the masses of the people than any which has
occurred in the State for years. The worth
lest sons of Louisiana will probably be snoken
Of as candidates for the various high officers
which arc to be filled, and it is unpleasant
invidious, not to so unfair, to make distinctions
or avow prejudices in advance, where all are
worthy.
We have already expressed the opinion that
it is too early in the day to commence agta-
ting about the November election, which is
some nine months off. Four or five months
hence will afford ample time And, in the
mean time, it should he recollected that we,
of the city, have an important election to go
through with in the latter part of xext month.
By all means, let us get one job off our hands
before we undertake anothcr.-Bulletin Feb.
1911.
DEAR CoL.-The time approaches for the
peoplo of this State to select a candidate for
-, I'll
rendered eneligible under the Constitution.
Several distinguished gentlemen, residing in
various portions of the State, have already been
named for the office, and it is understood that
others are canvassing for it-Believeing that
this section of the State is entitled to the selec-
ton | respectfully suggest to your cOnsidera-
ton the name of the Hon. Chas. Derbigny, of
the Parish of Jefferson. In doing so, beg
leave to state that | am welded to no part,cu-
lar name for that Office; that have no person
al or political aspirations to crafty in the sc.
lection of any one; that | am neither office
holder nor office seeker that my personal ac-
quintance with the gentleman named is very
slight and that his name is thus mentioned
without his consent, nor do | know that it
will meet his appreciation.
After filling many public stations with dis
tingnished credit to himself, Mr.. Derbigny re.
urea from puDtlc nIc, anu mas LOT several year
resided on his plantation, in the Parish of JEFF
ferson. He was born in Pennsylvania but his
parents moved to upper Louisiana before it
was coded to the United States. His father
was one of the three delegates, who obtained
from the General Government the liberal from
government for this State, and was in 1880
elected chief magistrate Of the State The
worthy subject of this brief and imperfect
notice was in 1920 elected Representative to
State Legislature from the Parish of Jefferson
and in 1923 to the Senate of the State, and
served for sixteen consecutive years in that
body. He retired again into private life. In
1880, Gov. Romaa nominated him as Judge of
the Supreme Court in place of Judge Buard
resigned but at his special request the nomin-
alion was withdrawn. In 1871 he was pre-
vailed upoa to become candidate for Reprcs-
entative, was trrmphantly elected, and served
two years. lie was during this time, ten years,
President of the Senate, and two year Speaker
OF tue House, and was distinguished for his
good judgement, sound sense, discretion, and
impartially in discharge of the arluous duties
dcvolvcd upon him.
During his entire public career, he was dis
tnsuised for moderation, and freedom from