New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-12-22
HON. JOHN WILLIS ArENARD.

/ AAO SOASEGu SVhkEGBemAh-H w mai
He Looks Like and How He
LIves-His Treatment by the Re.
Publicans In COnRress-HIs IndIRnn.
tlOn with the CarPet-RagRers frouS
| LOuisiana-TwO Newspaper Report.
erA HIS Only FriendA at the Capita !.
We copy the following from the New York
Herald, that our readers may know what is
| said of the first colored Congressman. The
writer is evidently controlled by unworthy
prejudices, such as time will obliterate,
The great future will arrive when men will
be ashamed that they have done injustice to
others because of their race, color or pre-
vious condition. This is what the Herald
says:
WASHINGTON, December IA, ls6s.--Anxious
to ascertain the views held by the first COL
ored Congressman from the South your cor
respondent started out today on a voyage
of discovery in quest of Mr.. John Willis
Menard, the colored Representative from
Louisiana.
No notice of his residence having been
recorded in the papers, and none of the
local BARRIERS having any knowledge of his
whereabouts, 1t became somewhat difficult
to find out where this most illustrious
darby was abiding. Through the friendly
aid of an itinerant vender of oysters we
| were ultimately successful Ia our explora.
tons, and under the roof of a venerable
shanty fast settling down in the adjacent
mud, we found the object of our search
rising from the discussion ofa dish of sayory
pork. The height of the apartment appeared
little over six feet, with trihing amount
| of antique furniture and two rude litho-
graphs of Ben Butler and Ben Wade. Mr..
Menard seems TO be about thirty wears of
age, with soft, saddle-colored face, Ethi-
opian lips and nose, the latter resembling
an apothecary's pestle fattened at the heavy
end, ood,natured in his general expression.
and rather prepossessing than otherwise. Ii
might be a subject Of surprise that one
upon whom so distinguished an honor had
been conferred found no more respectable
abode than tumble down rookery occupied
by superannuated and impecunious
barber; but it seemed to be held in excel
lent estimation by this new candidate to the
national councils. He was satisfied, how.
ever, that it's capacity would be too con-
fined to accommodate the number Of his
friends who would be sure 10 call upon him
when Congress decided to take him within
its fold. There are many wealthy darkies
in Washington whose houses, one might
suppose, would be thrown open to man
who has won higher favor than any of his
race on the continent; but il appears no
disposition Of this kind has been shown
not even serenade, with bones, banjo and
vocal accomplishments, has been got up.
and II the colored Congressman has reason
TO complain Of the shabby manner in which
he has been treated by the white Repub-
licans, what must Ee the state of his feelings
Ia rejecting on the studied indifference
shown him BY the people of his own color
Mr.. Menard was dressed in suit of cheap
tweed, Jim Crow hat and slippers. II
He looked capable OF executing a planta-
ton dance to perfection, from the loose and
jannty cut Of his figure. 0 20
In conversation be has q little Of the
negro style Of pronunciation, but not enough
70 be comioal. i4e5
Reporter. Well, Mr.. Menard, do you ex-
peet te be admitted soon M
az. Aenard. Yes, hope 10 take my seat
before the recess.
With bis ansWer he threw good desl of
ol8nlsg Into bis lace and initiated the man.
ner o. 0harlee sumner when he leans hack
In bis seat altar a 1Beech IA the Senate.
MT. MehaRds I am waiting for my cerfi-
1eate from Governor Wermoth. and when
that arrives 30 down 70 the Committee on
Elections, call for Mr. Dawes. say 70 Mr.
Dawes, Here l. my ccrtiacate IN fhe aarne
Of the people ana o. The State Of Isoniaiane
duly honoring me Is their accredited Rem.
resentMtive In the Congress a fhe TInitsd
States; please admit ne % my scss.s Then
Mr.. Dawes will make anaweE whether n |
the legislative wisdom Of his COMMITTEE ana |
By reason Of their combined examination l
ana entitled or not. They may aay not. INA |
deny that their conclusion "a this rosnsof /
Is hased upon the facts duly recorded and 1
verified By the history Of the case and Of /
the cnns.isrtion. I have been elected 10 /
" she place Qfa Democratic member named J