The Feliciana Democrat., 1859-03-05
SPEECH or LIEUT. GOVERNOR MoUToN.

emerged from Oh tlc IltlGtSl "
or known in this State Party spirtran high not on.
ly in this but IN all the States OF the Union Under
such circumstances knew. from my short experience
in public life, to what cyigencics might he subject
ed by what Il generally called party obligation. AZ
though was not then afraid, nor am now afraid
TO recognize the obligation of n public man to act
with the party which has elected him. | thought |
then. do now, that that obligation arises from the
allegiance which man owes to the principles OF his
party. and not from blind and scrvilc obedience toI
the wishes or mandates of leaders who may arrognte
TO themselves the privilege of making party sub
scrvient to their ends In order TO guard myself
against mn abuse of this kind in the address made
10 this Senate, when took my seat as its presiding
officer, held the following languages
"Scna'ors In taking my seat rs the presiding oil.
ccr of this body, feel the anxiety which is felt by o.
man who fears not to be able TO discharge well the
dntics of an office that he has accepted. My knowl-
edge of parliamentary law and parliamentary usagcs
Is limited. and know that'many obstacles will he
found in my way but knowing that you are all well
Nquaintcd with the rules of the Senate. and that
Il ~ much your duty TO observe them il Is mine to
enforce them, feel that my task may be much more
easy than my ncXpcricncc gives me the right TO an
ticip,ic Those rules and usagcs have been adopted
principally for the protection of the rights Of the mi
norty against The cncroachments of The dominant
party hnd they are deemed necessary TO preserve
order and to esp c business. in all legislative ho
dies hence. whenever il shall become NIX duty TO
enforce them. you may expect me to do to the best
Of my understanding. In the discharge of this duty
II is more than proHnllc that will sometimes err ;
IL belongs TO man TO commit errors but can assure
You. gentlemen. that whencvcr II shall he my msfor
tune to do So it will be an error ofudgmcnt not M
error Of the heart.
"It may also happen. in the course of the discharge
of my duties. that will lie called upon to give my
casting vote on questions OF great mporlmc" to the
people Of this State IN ma crs ur measures concern
ing our state affairs. and principally. The admins
iration Of our finances. those who have contributed
to rlevat" me 10 the position now'oecupy, have no
right to expect my cooperation unless The measure
proposed meets the appreciation Of niy ind gmrn
1int II thosn Questions partDkr " political nature
where principles party policy. Ho' c0Hf,ctUg with
the interest or honor Of The Stat" are involved no one
can doubt hnw Shall vote believing a. dn IL hr
Lcorrcctncss NJ the principles NJ thr Democratic party
and in thCD efficacy ~ promote th' interest of hr
people. when tlns" principles are properly under
stood and are iudiciou,y applied IN the admlnstra
ton of our public alirs shall always chreriully
act in concert with my political friends, in sustaining
those principles and WI preserving the organization VI
The party ID wich belong"
Wy purpose then. was To lay ont The course in
tended pursue n thcdischiren Of my duties st 10
wards my country, III towards Won 4. your presiding
officer 81 towards thn Democratic party ~ which
had been elected. without solicitation Oh my part to
the second Office In The STATE. Ny eudoavurs have
always been n discharge all these dutic. honestly
faithfully and impartally. and, indeed ! am not
aware that haze NY any net ui niInn failed 70 do
II have Failed in Some Instances 10 give entire salts
faction in the discharge ofmy duties your prc.i-
ding officer il Is hocasn i" to err is human =" But
a. my duties and obligations to The Democratic
mrty. know that have faithfully and ,rrUpulon.ly
d.eharg,H ham, L"t the Test of Democratic rrne-
res hc applied tony acts aud votes Since have bccn
In public lilr: let them ~, minuirlF scrnnhnd and
laid before tie people Of the STATE. and am wiling
to stand or fall by them. It mny " hal haze act
ed In some instances contrary Ia the wishes ard per
haps 10 the mandates Of men who have assumed the
leadership Of the Democratic party, and who would
. exact blind and submissive obedience to their will
and pleasure on The part Of hc m"mhcrs oi tie par,
ty. under Tie penalty Of communication. repn.
diaie these unjust protolsans. but st retain my d..
yuliun 10 The principles Of thc Democratic party.
In times If q yor". the ablr-i cyponndrr- uf thn
Democratic clena were property considered Leaders.
but their cIUqlener ana their logic were the beacon
lights which guided The patriotism or The people
through the storms which NOR than one. threatened
10 cneGf our institutions lhru the word party mls
sguonynou. with principle. ana party OBLIGATION
meant allegiance to principle Now tla.' words arr
construed ly some 10 moan the oranz1'iou oi thosa
men who have assumed The lead r~hip Dt the paily
and blind ohndirnr" 70 their mandates. Ny allo-
glance 10 ihn Democratic mrty. and my determine
on 10 continue to net with it. ~tl profess bnr II
my fellow Democrats OF th.s State expect to obey
the dictates Of leaders who may end aY0 To control
its action by their extraordinary skill u contracting
upon one end, tho ambition and interest, ~ aspiring
politicians they are mistaken. They expect to much
of me.
When the Democratic Convention Of 1875 nomi.
mated m a. candidate for Lioncuaat Governor they
did 50, not only without solicitation on my part but
wilont my kauNlod gc consent and had then con
suited my taste and my interests. ! would have de-
clined the honor which they 50 unexpectedly confer.
red upon mo But | was willing 10 sacrifice my
inclination for private life, and my interests to the
service Of my native State aud 10 the success of my
party: but indeed, have meyer conceded, nor will
] ever cOncede to my fellow Democrats the right to
exact that should submit to what conceive TO be
more than gratuitous consure on my character as u
public officer The course of the Senate this morn