Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1857-09-19

ateu Dy the nOOleSL patrlotlSnl. but not
only in that great speech was he wrong in
bis assertions and Prescriptions, but that
he was wrong in his dates, wrong in his
data, and false in his conclusions.
During his lengthy and burning criti-
cism Of this speech, Mr.. SIGUR greatly
impressed his hearers with his learning,
deep research, bold and statesmanlike
opinions and abilities, and fully demon
strated to them the able, jealous and gal
liant manner in which he would represent
them upon the floor of Congress. Their
honor and their interests would be safe in
his hands.
frequently during his speech up to this
point the speaker was peculiarly severe
upon Mr.. Davidson, more so perhaps than
he even intended-but throughout, his
sentences Of burning imprecation upon
the man whose character was calculated
to dishonor his constituents, were receiv-
ed with the most rapturous applause.
He said that his denunciation would be
carried throughout the District, and that
what he said here would be spoken in
the very camp of the enemy.
He then reverted to outside influence.
and asked the audience if the Third Con-
gressional District had not the right to
govern in their own way, their own polit-
ical affairs-or do we require Custom.
House assistance, or the interference of
that gentleman Of New Orleans and New
York, John Slidell2 mo! no! no! we're
uttered by several voices.
Mr.. SIGUR said that he had been called
a fire-brand. If by acting as a faithful
sentinel on the watch tower, and giving
the alarm when real danger menaced the
rights Of his fellow-citizens, made him a
fire-brand, then he was one! But that
if he was thus called, upon the SUPPOSE
ton that he would make a f~actious oppo-
sition to the administration, if elected, to
the proper administration of justice, or
the affairs Of Government in Congress,
the assertion was false. If he was elect
ed to Congress, he would resign his posi-
ton the moment it was made apparent
that his presence there was unsatisfactory
or Repayment to a majority of his constit-
uents.
Personally, said Mr., sIGUR, it made not
a ~sentella of difference to him ifhe was de-
feated. He had entered the arena in be-
half o. justice and the great cause of the
people. If defeated, he should have
with him still the masses, whose cause he
defended and with whose interests he was
identified. The people had too long knelt
and bowed to the power of political trick
sters and wire pullers-too long had they
been imposed upon by their rights being
d~isregarded, their interests trampled upon
too long had they suffered incompetent
and dishonest men to represent them in
the halls Of Legislation. He hoped to
God that a new era in u social, moral
and political affairs, was about to COM
mence in the Republic. If we spend for
tunes and a world of care in rearing and
educating our sons, and when they arrive
at their majority and give indication Of
superior virtue, talent and ability, we wish
them to have an equal chapce, for those
positions Of honor and distinction in the
affairs of government to which they are
entitled, and which sheds lustre upon
themselves ana posterity. But in the