The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-10-28
a Sensible Speech.

In the Senate, on the 10th, Mr. G. B. Pratt Of Clair
borne parish made the following speech on JOINT res
olution authorship the committee on the condition OF
peace and order in the State, st during the recess
Of the Legislature:
rise from stern sense Of duty to protest in the
name Of truth and justice III behalf of the white people
OF tile State Of Louisiana who have already been yil
fed and slandered by irresponsible parties against this
browning outrage and insult that is proposed by the
passage of this resolution. I contend, Mr.. Speaker,
that it is unwise unjust and impolltic to Wantonly and
without provoeatiou the characters OF the peo-
Die Of this State be brought in review before com
ttee the fruits Of whose labors have already been
condemned by every impartial and fair minded man i'll
the city of New Orleans.
It seems from the reading of this resolution that
Hugh j. Campbell aud Peter Harper have the cool
etfrontery ask the authority OF this Legislature to
sit in Judgment the character OF people the atchet
Of whose shoes they not worthy to unloose.a
If the original object had in view by the appoint
ment Of this committee had been to take every idle
rumor that has been in circulation in regard to dsoF-
ders in the Sate collect the statements OF unknown
and irresponsible parties; to perVert facts SO as to
prove that the white people of the State OF LOUISIANA
were fends incarnae and that the negroes and Radl-
Gals were the very pinks of perfection, aud to compile
into volume to be sent North Radical campaign
document to be used in the approaching eection-lt
this was the object had in view then, sir con-
si<tently say to them, Well done, thou good and
faithful servants but, sirs if the object, as was stated
in the resolution appointing them was to examine re-
sponsibe witnesses aud return just and impartial YER
diet upon the CONDITION of peace and order in the
State" then Sir, am responsible tor saying tltt they
prostitutcd their mission to base and unworthy pur-
poses
Three years ago the people ofte South, after passing
through a struggle in which they displayed an endur-
ance that reflects credit upon the character OF the
coI3iar Wiuulv laid down their and
received the promise of the Government, through the
General OF our Armies" that they should live be-
meath the protecting agis of the utIion and be entitled
to the same inaienable rights guaranteed to every
American citizen but no sooner had Lee handed his
Damascus blade to the foe" than the piglted faith Of
the nation broken, and the South subjected to
condition more degrading than visited upon
a conquered province by the worst desposm OF Europe.
Look around, sirs, and what do you see. Northern
mudsills filling the most exalted places OF trust and
profit. Ignorance and vice with their feet upon the
neeks of Intelligence and virtue. The wealth OF the
State placed the mercy OF Legislature the majority
of whose members do not dollars worth OF prop
erty or pay cent of taxes And now sirs Oh the top
of this it is proposed to cothe Hugh j. Campbell and
Peter Harper with legislative authority to compile
another tissue Of tasehoods to be paid for BY the State
And now, Mr.. Speaker to show the anmus OF the
members of this committee, and to prove to every can
did mind upon this floor that they have manipulated
testimony and perverted facts in such manner as to
forfeit the confidence Of this House will introduce
no less parsonage than the distinguished gentleman
from Ouachita, Mr.. Brewster, who called before
that committee, and who stated to that his testi-
mony had been curtaed to give it entirely par
tisan nature.
Here Mr. Pratt reviewed at some length the report
Of the committee that was previously submitted,
In the report from Claiborne parish find a number
of charges Of coored men being murdered, without
their being given or single particle OF eVl-
-, pni,,,rr St,,f -tntn ,nttC
have been sent North, sanctioned by the Endorsement
Of this Legislature.
On page ID of the report find an affidavit made by
w Jasper Blackburn editor the Homer lad, which
is rcplete with talsehood | have before denounced
similar charges against the people of Claiborne parish
as false and reeratc that the charges contained
in this affidavit false and the author of them is a
liar. dislike characterize the statements Of any
man in such a manner but sirs think the enornity
of the outrage iustifes it. | friend to the whole
people of Louisiana, but am particularly jealous OF
the good of the people Of Claiborne parish, for
was bonn and raised among them and their honor Is
as dear to me as the rudy drops which visit my own
heart
You have all doubtless read the fable of the lion that
was the pride of the forest and king of all the beasts,
BE received their homage aud his favor coured
byall After avn lille the noble lion became old and i'll
firm, and completely prostmted by disease that
the other beasts being 10 logger afraid OF him, treated
him with great indenity and finally cap the climax
of his humiliation the turned and kicked him. The
design Of this resolution place the characters of the
white people of Louisiana i'll the Lands Of such men as
Hugh J. Cambell and Peter Harper is an humiliation
more CALLING than that heaDed upon the noble Old lion
when kicked by the tabled ass
Gentlemen; by your votes upon this resolution it re-
mains for you to say whether you going to protect
the interest and honor of the people Of Louisiana or
whether like the dogs of ACTON, you ready to de-
YOUR your own State.
After lengthy discussion, the House, finding itself
without a quorum, dispatched the Sergeant-at- Arms
after absent members.
The House then adjourned until 10 o'clock 4. NJ this
day, (ruesday,) Goth inst.