The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1868-12-24
" The. Coming Black Man."
MIR. JOHN WILLIS MENARD.


day on a oyage of discovery in quest of
MI. John Willis Menard, the colored Rep
resentative from Louisiana. No notice of
his residence having been recorded in the
papers, and none of the local BARRIERS hav-
Ing any knowledge of his whereabouts, it
became somewhat difficult to find out
where this most illustriOus darkey was
abiding. Through the friendly aid of an
ltinerant vender of oysters we were ulti-
mately successful in our explorations, and
under the roof of venerable shanty fast
settling down in the adjacent mud, we
found the object of our search rising from
the discussion of dish of savory pork.
Inc height of the apartment appeared
little over six feet, with trif1ing amount
OF antique furniture and two rude litho-
graphs of Ben Butler and Ben Wade
MI. Menard seems to be about thirty years
OF age, with a soft, saddle colOred face,
Ethiopian lips and nose, the latter resem-
Ding an apothecary's pestle f1attened at
the heavy end, good natured in his general
expression, and rather progressing than
otherwise. 1t might be a subject OF sur
prise that one upon whom so distinguished
an honor had been conferred found no
more respectable abode than a tumble
down rookery occupiedby superannuated
and lmpecunious barber, but it seemed to
be held in excellent estimation by this new
candidate to the national 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 its fold. There are
many wealthy darkies in Washington
whose house, one might suppose, would
be thrown open to a man who has won
higher favor than any of his race on the
continent; but 1t appears no disposition of
this kind has been shown-nOt even a sere-
made, with bones, bapiO and vocal accom-
panlmentss has been gotten up and if the
coiored Congressman has reason to COM
plain of the shabby manner in which he
has been treated by the white Republicans,
what must be the state Of his feelings in
rejecting on the studied indifference
shown him by the people of his own
color?
Mr.. Menard was dressed in suit of
cheap tweed, Jim Grow hat and slip
pers.
He looked capable of executing plan
tation dance TO perfection, from the loose
and jaunty cut Of his figure.
In conversation lie has little of the
negro style of pronunciation, but not
enough to be comical
RcPorter-Wen, MIR. Menard, do you ex-
pect to be admitted soon?
Mr. AenGrd-Yes, hope tcl.eke my
seat before the recess
With this 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.
VI. Ncnord-I am waiting for my
certificate from Gov. Warmoth, and
when taat arrives L go down to the
Committee on Elections, call for Mr.
Dawes, say to Dir. Dawes, "Here is my
certificate in the name OF the people and
ct the State Of Louisiai a, duly honoring
me as their accredited Representative in
the Congress of the Unit ed States please
admit me TO my seat" Then Mr.. Dawes
VIII make answer whether in the legisla-
tive wisdom of his committee aud by rea-
son of their combined examination am
entitled or not. They may say not but
| deny that their conclusion in this re-
spect Is based upon the facts duly recorded
and certified by the history of the case
and Of the Constitution. | have been
elected To MI the place Of Democratic
member named Mann, who died while his
seat was being contested by Jones (Re-
publican) and no decision was arrived at
II they decide now that Mann was duly
elected | step IN as his legitimate though
humble successor, and if not, then cice
rerSd.
Reporter-How did the Republicans on
the floor of the House receive you on the
dav OF your appearance?
NeHdTd-Well, nothing extra. had TO
ind my way in, and when inside I found
nobody inclined to come near me- felt
bad at this. didn't want to sit there and
be stared at like curious kind of ar ami
NAL, and if nobody cared to talk to me
wasn't going II force my company on
them. | walked N on that floor feeling
that had right to, and good deal bet
ter right than those carpet-baggers, New
sham and Sypher, from Louisiana, elected
by colored votes in the place of better
men.
Reporfe'-D.d these men see you on the
floor ?
HeaGd-Yes, they saw me, but that
was all They never once came to ask
me how was or to introduce me to some
1T the prominent members. | felt very
greatly incensed and indignant at this, be-
cause l know those carpet baggers SO well,
and know how ready they were to shake
hands with me and poorer colored men
when they we're down in Louisiana look
ing for office
Reporter-Who among tie members
showed you any kindness?
HCHaTd-None Of them to speak of. The
only kindness L experienced was from
Two newspaper reporters; but supposed
they had meaning for it. One of them
belonged TO an illustrated paper anC
wanted TO make sketch of me; the other
wanted to get short history of my life
and between them / was an object of af-
fectionate attention. They were the only
persons met that brought me round and
introduced me 10 members Of Congress.
: Rep0rter-How did the members receive
you?
Menard-Well, could easily see that
they didn't like 1t much; the carpet bag.
gers from Louisiana edged away the mo-
ment they saw me in their neighborhood
Altogether felt disappointed and uncom-
Portable, and resolved never to go in upon
that floor again until went to take posses
sion of my seat
Rsporter-Did you see General Butler
Menord-No; there was nobody to in.
troduce me in an official capacity; the re.
pOrters would have made me known to
every one, but didn't like to trespass toe
much on their good nature.
Exporter What is the character of the
delay 10 sending up your certificate?
1HendTd-I guess Warmoth don't want
to see me admitted, and he hopes by keep
ing il back that the committee will reiec,
me. He is at the head of the most cor