The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-12-22


based upon the facts duly recorded and Ger
tilted by the history Of the case and Of the
constitution have been elected TO fill the
place of a democratic member named Mann
who died while his seat was being contested
by Jones republican,, and no decision was
arrived at. If they decide now that Mann
was duly elected step in as his Legitimate
though humble successor, and if not, then
rice rerSd.
Reporter-lIow did the republicans on
the floor Of the house receive you the day
you made your appearance
Msnard We'll, nothing extra. had 10
find my way in, aud when inside found
nobody inclined to come near me, ! felt
bad at this. didn't want 10 sit there and
be stared at like curious Kind Of an AMI.
NAL, and if nobody cared to talk to me |
wasn't a going TO force my company on
them. walked in on that floor feeling
that had right to DO so, and good
deal better right than these carpet.baggers,
Newsham and Syphcr, from Louisiana,
elected by coIorcd voters in the places Of
better men.
RepoHer-Did these men see you on the
floor?
Menard Yes, they saw me, but that was
all. They never once came to ask me how
/ was or introduce me to some Of the prom
inent members. | felt very greatly in.
ceused and indignant at this because ]
know these carpetbaggers so well, and
know how ready they were to shake hands
with me and poorer colored men when they
were down in Louisiana looking for olhcc
Reporter-Who among the members
showed you any kindness;
Menard-None Of them TO speak Of. The
only kindness experienced was from two
newspaper reporters but | suppose they
had reason for it. One Of them belonged
to an illustrated paper and wanted to make
sketch Of me the other wanted to get a
short history Of my life AVID between them
| was an object Of alectOnate attention
They were the only persons | met that
brought me round and introduced me tC
members Of congress.
Reporter-lIow did the members receive
you?
Menard-WclI, could easily gee tina
they didn't ike it much the carpet baggeH
from Louisiana edged away the momcn
they saw me in their neighborhoOd. Alto
gether ! felt disappointed and uncomiorta
bic, and resoIg.D never to 20 in upon that
floor again Unit. went to take possession
Of my scat
Reporter - Did you see Gen. Butler?
Menard-No; there was nobody TO intro
duce me in an official capacity; the report
crs would have made me known 10 every
one, but didn't like to trcspass too much
on their good nature.
Rcporter-What is the cause of tbs
delay in sending up your certihcate2
Menard--I guess Yarmouth don't wan
10 see me admitted and he hopes by keep
ing it back that the committee will rejcc
me. He is at the head Of the most corrup
ring in the country, composed twOthirds o.
insincere aud unprucipled carpet baggers
Reporter--Iou don't appear 10 ike car
pet baggers?
Menard--Iudeed | entertain no great
love for them and the coIored people Of the
south are losing confidence and regard for
I them very fast,
! HcpoEiyr-ceya ,hc colorcd people get
along without themf
Mcnari-Thcy could now. They ar,
| hbtt ~ Itho 'hl' ~ lu'lu'ttNtS anu Nl1
peuse with the carpet baggers.
Reporer-What do you think Of Con
Grants election?
Meuard-I haynt much confidence in
Gen. Grant. The coIored people would
sooner have seen Chief Justice Chnse, Mr.
Wade, or Gen. Butler elected Chief Jus
tice Chase was their first choice. Il h,
! democracy had nominated him they might
have had the colorcd vote ofthc south.
Reporter will the social righu
question settle itself nt the south
Meuard-As it H. the colorcd people
down there enjoy far more social privilege
| than they DO at the north. ! never hardly
noticed in New Orleans any Of that prciu
dice against us that you see up here. |
the bill Of civil rights had bcon passed il
Louisiana don't believe the colored folk
would have cared q bit to avail thcmsclvc
Of any Of its provisions. As it is, the
have all the rights and privileges that the
are inclined to use, though, e course,
should Ike to see them protected by law
! want {, see all public conyeyauccs throw
open to people regardless Of race, color o
previous condition: and this Is bound t
come when the parties at the south az
more broken up tbun ut present
Here we bade good afternoon to tn
dusky legislator from Louisiana, who bowe
NJ ont with all the grace Of French dane
ing master