Pointe Coupee Democrat. [volume] (False River [i.e. New Roads], Parish of Pointe Coupee [La.]) 1858-1862, 1858-06-12
ADDRESS OF MBJOR CT. BEAUREGARD

INDEPENDENT VOTERS OF NEW ORLEANS.
Fslloec Citizens:
feel great ditfidence in expressing to
you my thanks for the very great honor
you have conferred in selecting me as
your 81 Standard Bearer on this memora-
Bile occasion where law and order are
to meet, face to face, with those few enc
mics of the public good, who have for
several years past been treading, with
an iron and unsparing heel, upon the
most sacred rights of this peaceful and
much enduring community.
This candidacy, which you are pleased
to offer me, has, you well know, been
none ofmy seeking-and indeed | should
nave been most thappy to have seen select
ed IN my stead one ofmy many fellow-citi-
zens more worthy Of that honor than
myself. But there are times in the his
tory OF community when the "dnlcc
far naemte' of individual life must be Civ
en- up for the responsibilities, however
exactlng, that All injured community
may think proper to impose.
Woe to the heart too timid or too re-
creant to stand in the breach when called
upon for such an emergency!
Before we start however on an attempt
to restore order and confidence to our
much oppressed community, let us un-
derstand each other thoroughly; other
wise, mutual dlstrusts and recrimina-
tions would soon weaken, if not termin-
ate, our reliance in one another, and
eventually insure our defeat.
! am, understand, selected by you
as an independent Candidate for the
Office Of Mayor"-that is, indepen-
dent, not only in political sense, but
in every other legal respect, and that
SO long as l adopt for my rule of action
honesty and impartial justice in all
things and unto all men, l will meet
with your unqualified support. This i'm
plies that in the choice Of my agents or
assistants, the only questions l shall be
expected to ask will be: "Are you hon
est, are you capable, and will you be
fearless in the discharge ofyour duties?"
And, that i'll seeking the advice of those
around me, best qualified to direct my
course, | will not be considered as the
tool of this Or that man, or this or that
fraction of a party; for, if elected Mayor
l must be free legal agent, in every
sense of the word, pursuing vigorously
and strictly my own line Of duty as
laid down for me in the laws and regu-
lations of the city, and being governed
in my conduct only by the dictates of
my own judgment and conscience
have, as matter ofcourse my own po-
itical opinions and principle which al
though not ultra, are most decsded, and
IN account Of those who are unacqcaint-
I'd with them, | will here state that am
8 States Rights Democrat" of the pro-
yressive school, for, to nations, as we'll
as to individuals, progress IS life, inertia
S death. am, no doubt, strongly in fa-
,or of our glorious Union, but my at
,aehment is not such that I would un-
Ter any circumstances, sacrifice to it
he constitutional rights and interests of
he South.
However, consider that, in any office
ike that Of Mayor of this great and
fourishing city, political op-
Mons, especially at this time, should
ave very little to do; but intelligence,
onesty of purpose, and fearlessness in :
he discharge of it's responsible duties, {
,reat deal. For what you most want in :
Chief Magistrate who will carry out :
and unbendingly, without fear :
+ favor, the dictates Of duty, however :
tern they may be. :
Among the most important require 5
lents which the present condition of :
ne affairs of the city will impose on its =
rst magistrate, will he the organization =
f a strong and efficient police; and un- :
,ss the Mayor be clothed with sufficient !;
over and authority to place it on :
,oting that will insure unity of purpose, :
nd impart to its operation character ;
aleulated to command confidence and =
aspect, it were in vain TO- expect from =
i'm that he should carry out successfully :
lie great objects and measures you have h
i view. =
Let me not be misunderstood. how
yer, as being in favor of an utter sub -
ersion of what does at present exist. !.
hat which has proved useful and good -
ught to be retained. | would not suf. 2
II any considerations of party, Or any =
emembrance of past feuds, to interfere
j the selection of proper men to act as
lembers of the police-such as are
aoson to have done their duty would :
rst command my choice. But l would e
e immovable in my opposition to such ="
5 might disgrace the corps by their
ad habits or dishonorable character;
nd, while thus scrupulous about the s
,rmation of the force, would be inde-
stigable in my exertions to secure to
uch as might die or be incapacitated G