New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-03-04

elevate me 70 the position now occupy have right
to expect my corporation, unlss III measure Do
posed meets the appreciation q ~ hlgnnka Batif
those questions partske Of political na4nse, whsss
principles or party policy, not en& Viii tie IN
terest Or honor Of the State are involved n one en-
doubt how shall vote, believing = Edo ii ~ eSs
rectness Of the principles Of the ard
in their efficacy to promote the interest Of the people,
when those principles are properly understood and
are applied 10 the ss Of ssr
cert with my political friends in sustaining those prn-
to which belong
tended to pursue in the discharge Of my dates; nr,
towards my country second, towards yuu q youI
presiding officer; third, towards the Denocntic party
by which had been elected, without solicitation on
ors have always been to discharge On these duties
honoraby, faithfully and impartally, and, indeed
am not aware that have By any st Of mine hiIed
to do so. II have failed 10 some instances 70 give
entire satisfaction in the discharge OF my duties q
your presiding ofcert Is because "to en- il humae.n
But az to my duties and obligations to tho Deoc1ar
tic party, know that have faithfully andscupu-
lousy discharged them. Let The test Of Dsmocnfie
principles be applied to my acts ard votes since 7
have been in public life; let them be infinitely scruf
nized and laid before the people Of the Gtate and
am willing to stand or fall BY them. may b that
have acted in some instances contrary to tie wishes
and perhaps to the mandates Of men who have ~
sumed the leadership Of the Democratic party and
who would exact blind and submissive obedience 70
their will and pleasure on the part Of the members Of
the party, under the penalty Of excommunication.
repudiate these unjust pretensons, bot til retain
my devotion to the principles Of the Democratic
party.
In times of yore, the ablest expounders Of the
but their eloquence and their logic were the beacon
lights which guided the patriotism OF the people
through the storms which more than once
threatened to engulf our institutions Then the word
party was Synonymous with principle, and party
obligations meant allegiance to principle. Now,
these words are construed by some to mean the or
ganzation Of those men who have assumed the lead
ershp Of the party, and blind obedience TO their
mandates. My allegiance to the Democratic party,
and my determination to continue to act with it,
still profess, but ifmy Democrats Of this State
expect me to obey the dictates Of leaders who may
skill in concentrating upon one end the ambition
and interests of aspiring politicians they are mis-
taken. They expect too mnch of me.
When the Democratic Convention of 1855 nomi-
mated me as candidate for Lieutenant Governor,
they did so, not only without solicitation my part,
but without my knowledge or consent and had then
consulted my taste and my interests, would have
declined the honor which they so unexpectedly con-
ierred upon me- But was willing to sacrifice my in
clination for private life and my interests to the
vice of my native State, and to the success Of my
party; but indeed, have never conceded, nor will
ever concede to my fellow Democrats the right to
exact that should submit to what conceive to be
more than gratuitous censure on my character ~
public officer. The course Of the Senate, this morn
ing, in electing the Committee Of Conference, was
novel, and one which had never been resorted to
since occupied the Office which am now about to
resign During this session. and upon this very ques-
ton of apportionment, the officer presiding in my
absence appointed, under the rule Of the Senate,
committee for the same object. The course Of tho
Senate in thus preudgng me, intimates clearly that
they have not that confidence in my impartalify and
capacity which presiding officer should enjoy |;
under these Circumstances, can no longer consent
to preside over this body I, therefore, now tender
through you to the people Of Louisiana my resgna-
ton Of the Office Of LeutenantG Governor, and to
them refer both my conduct and yours for indg-
ment. To those gentlemen who have honored me
with their confidence, tender my heartfelt thanks,
and to those who have thought proper to act towards
me as they did this morning. have nothing to say,
| for impugn the motives of no one. 7zI=55s575-z