The New York herald., 1868-12-16
HOY. JOHN WILLIS mEzARD, coLoRED.

Tho First COlored COngressnan-What He
Leoks Like and How He Lives-His Treat
ment by the Republicans in Congress-Iiis
Indignation with tho Carpet-Baggers from
Louisiana-Two Newspaper Reporters His
Only Friends at the Capital.
WASHINGTON, Dec IA, 1868.
Anxious 70 ascertain the views held by the first
colored Congressman from the South your corre-
spondent started to-day on voyage OF discovery
In quest OF Mr.. John Willis Menard, the colored
Representative from Louisiana. No notice OF his re-
sidence having been recorded IN the papers and
none OF the local BARRIERS having any knowledge OF
his whereabouts, 1t became somewhat difficult to
hnd out where this most illustrious darky was
abiding. Through the friendly aid OF an inerant
vender OF oysters we were ultimately successful in
our explorations, and under the roof Of venerable
shanty fast settling down in the adjacent mud we
found the object Of search rising from the dis.
cussion OF dish Of savory pork The height OF the
apartment appeared little over six feet with q
trifng amount OF antique furniture ana two rude
Autographs OF Ben Butler and Ben Wade. Mr. Ne
nard seems to be about thirty years Of age with Q
soft saddle coored face Ethiopian lips and nose, the
latter resembling apothecarys pestle fiattened at
the heavy end good natured In his general express
sion, and rather prepossessing than otherwise 1t
might be a subject OF surprise that one upon whom
no more respectable abode than tumble
down r00kery occupied by superannuated
excellent estimation by this new candidate to the ma
tional councils. He was satisfied, however, that its
capacity would be too confined to accommodate the
number OF his friends who would be sure to call
upon him when Congress decided to take him within
It's fold There are many wealthy darkies IN WASH
ington whose houses one might suppose would be
thrown open TO man who has won higher favor
than any OF his race on tine Continent; but IL ap-
pears no disposition Of this kind has been shown.
not even Q serenade, with bones, banjo and vocal
accompaniments has been got up; and II the coored
manner in which he has been treated by the whits
republicans, what must be the state Of his feel.
ings In rejecting on the studied indiilerence
shown him by the people OF his own colors
Mr. MeDard was dressed IN suit OF cheap tweed.
q jim Crow hat and slippers.
He looked capable or executing plantatiOn dance
to perfection, from the loose and Jaunty cut OF his
figure
OF pronunciation, but not enough to be comlcal.
kEPoRrER-WelL MIR. Menard, do you expect to be
Mr MENARD-Yes, l hope to take my seat before
With his answer he threw good deal Of dignity
into his face, and initiated the manner OF Charles
Sumner when he leans back in his seat after
speech in the Senate.
Mr.. MENARD-I am waiting for my certificate
| from Governor Warmoth, and when that arrives
90 down TO the Committee on Elections call for Mr..
the name ne Of the people and Of the State OF
Louisiana, duly honOring me as their accredited
in the Congress @ q the NJ Gned sasGs
make answer whether in the legislative wisdom Of
his committee and by reason OF their combined ex-
animation am entitled or not They may say NOT;
but deny that their conclusion in this respect s
based upon the facts duly recorded and certified BY
have been elected to I'LL the place Of democratic
member named Mann, who died while his seat was
Sy 49, eS Ssce nG
Mann was duly elected step IN as his legitimate
REPoRTER~How did the republicans on the floor
OF the House receive you the day you made your
'lxw lxENARD1well, nothing extra had TO find my
way in, and when inside found nobody Inclined to
come near me. Ifelt bad at this. didn't want to
sit there and be stared at like curious kind OF an
animal and II nobody cared to talk to me wasn'ta
going to force my company on them. walked IN
good deal better right than these carpetbaggers,
Eewsham and Sypher, from Louisiana, elected ~
colored votes In the places Of better men,
REPORTKR-Did these men see you on the noorr
MENARD-Yes they saw me- but that was all
They never once came to ask me how was or in.
felt very greatly incensed and indignant at this, be-
cause l know these carpetbaggers 80 well, and
and poorer cooTed men when they were down IN
| Louisiana looking for ONCE.
| REPoRTER-W6o among the members showed you
MENARD-None Of them, to speak Of. The only
kindness experienced was from two newspaper re-
| pOrters but suppose they had 0 meaning Tor t..
| One OF them belonged to an illustrated paper and
wanted to make sketch Of me; the other wanted to
was an object OF alectionate attention. They were
| the only persons met that brought me round and
| introduced me TO members Of Congress
| REPoRTER-How did the members receive your
MENARD-Welly could easily see that they didn't
edged away % the moment they saw me in their neigh
borh00d. Altogether felt disappointed and ua.
comfortable and resolved never to go IN upon tlat
floor again until went TO take possession oi my
| seat. TX tI2
| REPoRTsR-Did you see General Butlers
] In an ofiicai capacity; the reporters would have
made me known to every one but didn't IKE 70
| tresspass too much on their good nature.
REPORTER-What te the character OF the delay IN
| sending up your certifcates
MEN1RD-I guess Warmoth don't want to see me
admitted and ne hopes BY keeping 1t back that the
committee viii reject me. He is at the head Of tho
| most corrupt ring in the country, composed two
thirds OF insincere and unprincpled carpes.oaggen.
MENARD-Indeed, I entertain no great amount Of
love for them and the cOOred people OF the South
are losing confidence and regard for them very
| fast.
REroRrER-Could the colored people get along
MENARbEfhey could now. They are able to take
| care Of themselves and dispense with the carpet
REronrER-what do you think Of General Grants
| electionf
MESARD-I haven't much confidence in General
Grant. The colored people would sooner have seen
Chief Justice Chase, Mr.. Wade or General Butler
elected. Chic: Justice Chase their first choice.
| II the democracy had nominated him they might
| have had the colored vote OF the South
REPoRTER-now win the social right question
| MESARD-As 1t Is, the colored people down there
enjoy far more social privileges than they do a. the
North. never hardly noticed In New orleans any
OF that prejudice against us that you see up here.
II the bill or cvl rights had been passed in Louisiana
| don't believe the colored folks would have cared
| q bit to avail themselves Of any OF its provi.
sions AS it is they have Gil the rights and privileges
that they are inclined to USE though, Of course
should like to see them protected by law. / want
to all public conveyances thrown open to people
regardless OF race, color previous condition; and
this Is bound to come when the parties at the
| south are more broken up than at present
Here we bade good afternoon TO the dusky lcgis-
lator from Louisiana vino bowed out with all the
| grace Of u French dancing master.
| THE DISASTER ON THE OHIO.
The Lost the United States and AmcrSrn.