New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-11-02

VIII raise your languid looking head,
And cheer you up at least tenfold.
Let shavers strike each barber pole,
And all the fuss will soon be ended;
Cash and credit will be restored
When they with faith are blended. IA
Hon. Giendy Burke and the Mexican War.
There are certain occasions which unmistakably re-
veal the character Of men,. However strong may be
the effort or however successful for time it proves
to conceal the disposition or leading impulses of
action, surprises occur in the events Of everyday life
| which tear off the mask and-reveal the real man.
Such occasions expose the sham patriots the pre-
tender to nobility of sentiment, but bring out in
strong relief those traits which show real worth.
The alarming news which filed the entire State of
Louisiana with soieitude for the safety of the gall
liant troops forming the little army Of occupation on
the outskirts Of Texas just previous to the breaking
out Of the Mexican war, afforded the public one Of
| those unexpected tests of character. There were
men on that occasion, who surrounded by the cold.
est seshness, would risk little for the country or
for the welfare of the handful Of their brethren who
were engaged in deadly strife with the flower Of the
| Mexican army.
The act Of our Legislature, then in session. on the
reception of the intelligence of the danger of Gen.
Zachary Taylor's command at Corpus Christi, will
form one of the brightest pages in the history
| of Louisiana For moment all partisan feelings
were lost The ordinary business of the two Houses
of the Legislature was suspended, and with gene
rosity almost unparalleled, and an enthusiasm only
engendered by the sincerest patriotism, loan Of
| tipO hundred thousand dollars was authorized, to
send into the field sufficient force of native Lou
sianans to teach the Mexican invaders lesson which
| they never could forget.
Before the act could become law considerable
number of troops were equipped and ready for the
field, waiting anxiousy for the of transporta-
ton to enable them to reach the point of danger The
treasury was however nearly empty, and it devoved
upon Gov Isaac johnson to take some extraordinary
| steps to accomplish what seemed necessary to the
safety of our army, and what the public most mperi-
| ously demanded. He stepped forward and pledged
the troops then assembled at the Barracks below New
Orleans, that the money needed should be furnished
the next day, not believing there would be any diff
Guilty whatever in performing what he had promised.
The following extract from the official journal of the
State the Jetersonan of the 18th of May 1885, con-
tanning the official proceedings of the two Houses of
the 18th Of that month, will illustrate the difficulty of
the times and bring out the character of the Hon.
Gendy Burke. now candidate for Congress, in bold
relief! 5.' g4t... --rs p
"On the 10th May, after the House had opened its
session, Gov Isaac johnson entered the hall of the
| House of Representatives and requested permission
| to address the House in an informal manner. The
Speaker invited him to take the chair, which he de-
clined, and said
"lIr. Speaker and Gentlemen-T have called upon
you this morning to state circumstance of peculiar
nature, and to ask you to become my witnesses and
endorsers in reference to it. On my visit to the Bar
racks last evening, presuming that the additional
appropriation Of 900 would become a law this
morning, promised that the five companies about to
proceed to the Rio Grande should be paid Immediately
On my return to the city found that the Senate had
made some amendments that would somewhat delay
the passage of the BILL and that should be obliged
to forfeit my word to the troops unless could obtain
the money Immediately.
| made application to the Bank of Louisiana and
asked for $s0O0 to be refunded when the law passed
1t declined letting me havethe amount. then made
application to Mr. Burke. the President of the Canal
Bank, who, without hesitation, Immediately placed to
my credit the sum of $4,000, and declared bis willing
| to LET have amount needed,
Gentlemen, ask you to be my witnesses and endor-
sers in this matter.
Hon. Mr.. Noise presented resolution authorizing
the Governor to pay to the Canal Bank the sum OF
nine thousand dollars. Mr.. Vason said money could
not be appropriated but by BILL and he was. then
preparing one which would be presented in few
sented bill ordering the Treasurer to pay to Mr.
Buke out of the first money coming into the Trea-
sury the sum of nine thousand dollars. 10
The House resolved itself into committee OF the
whole. Mr.. Phillips, of Assumption, in the chair, and
the bill reported forthwith to the House, read
| three times and adopted. 1ss7 rE,&G
| Mr.. Lewis introduced resolution presenting the
thanks Of the House to Glendy Burke, President OF
the Canal Bank, for his patriotic conduct.
The Governor then proceeded to the Senate, where
he made the same communication. ,srs .s .s.g.
The press of the city on the morning of the Goth
commented on this act of Mr. Burke in the following
terms: .....s. H.. ..-.,..s-s $40
"The conduct of Mr.. Burke, as the President Of
the Canal Bank, was worthy OF an American gentle.
| man, worthy of the high. position Of the gentleman
interested, and will ever be remembered by our ct
zens with pleasure" .-.- .@.
The joint resolution of Mr.. Lewis was in the fol
lowing words: -" SS' fFHa 't@ ~5Et@ +'-
4 Resolred, That the Canal Bank of New Orleans
shows the fact that all corporations not destitute
of hearts, and that the prompt action of that bank
in furthering the views of the country as far it
could be by the late loan of money to the Governor
deserves the thanks of the Legislature.
The public evinced the same feeling towards Mr.
Burke which actuated the Legislature on this occa
sion. On the evening of the goth an immense crowd
took up the line of march rthe residence of Glendy
Burke Esq, and hearty cheers were given for thu
man who promptly rendered the means of the banf
for the patriotic purpose for which they weresin
tended. e
Mr.. Burke appeared on the balcony of his dwelln,
and returned his thanks for the honor paid him, am
in very feeling manner made few remarks on tn
obligations of all citizens, and averred that he ha
done no more than should he demanded from ever
patriotic citizen in such an emergency. a.. p u 4
This act shows the character aud the opinion q
the gentleman now before the people of this distric
for the seat in Congress. The demand was too sue
! den for any speculation Or calculation of profit t
have been detected in his action. The living patriot
ism OF his heart was ELECTED by this unexpected OF
casion, and We permitted to look below the We
: upon the real man. 1t cannot be that this act wi
be forgotten in the present contest by those who gor
in the noble conduct Of Louisiana in that eventu pG
}, Rod of our history recorded in May, lS46.
TThbudauX Minerva