The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-08-19
Senator Jewell's Speech in Reply to
Warmoth's Infamous Letter.

Mr. Presidential resolution beipo
now before the Senate, desire to speak
upon it. Sir, l am native of the State OF
Louisiana. | was born and raised here
all that cherish, all that I hold dear is
ceatred in the State of Louisiana; and
sir, when reading such a letter as hold in
my hand, emanating from the Governor OF
the State of Louisiana, it makes nv very
blood curdle in my veins. The individual
who claims to be the Governorof the State
OF Louisiana has cast upon it such an inn
lputation-su a vile, malicious SANDER
such false statement, that ] am at q loss to
lind words adequate to convey my contempt
OF such sentiments as are here expressed
or, II there was one man in the State as
vile, Infamous, low and degraded as this let
ter attempts to make the whole people of
the State, / do not believe that Governor
Warmoth would live an hour. tie does
not hesitate to say that we are in rebellion
against the laws-that Union men are with
out protection-tha violence is committed
in all parts Of the State. He admits that
he, as the Governor, as COMMANDMENTS
Chief of the militia-as the Grand Com
mander of the Grand Army of the Repub-
| lic-is unable to preserve order, maintain
peace, and prevent violence. And sir, as
unable to accomplish these purposes, he is
led to appeal for troops from the Federal
army. And in order to accomplish his
purposes, IN order to secure that co-opera-
ton of Federal forces, he does not hesitate
to state the srossest falsehoods. He has
charged political organizations in this city
which have for their object the simple pur-
pose of carrying the State by fair and hon
orable means for the Democratic candidates
in the next election in order to give him a
Fpretext, he has charged these organizations
with being armed and equipped and ready
for the fray. And, sir, to show how much
truth there is in that statement, I will
read the answer forwarded promptly by the
gentlemen in command of those associa-
tions-Gen. Harry Il. Hays and John S.
fully, commanding the political oaganiza-
tons known as the "Blair Knights and
the Seymour Knights" The letter is ad-
dressed to the President of the State Cen
trail Committee, and of the Parish Execu-
tive Committee.
Mr.. Jewell read the letter which states
that the Blair Knights land the Seymour
Knights are merely political organizations
and branding the statements in the letter
of Gov. Warmoth and mentioned in the
dispatch, as unmitigated falsehoods.
The Governor assorted TINT the Seymour
Knights and the Blair Knights, while pre-
tending to be political were in point of
fact military organizations, to which state
ment General Hays and Mr.. Tully give the
lie direct.
Now, sir, when the Governor himself, oc-
cupying the position he does. being the
head and front Of a political armed organi-
zation, and when be writes to the President
of the United States: / have the honor to
Forward to you by Lieut.. Col. John F. Dean
of my staff. joint resolution adopted by the
General Assembly of this State, etc. l
would ask who is Lieut.. Colonel John f.
Dean, ofhis staff, unless he be of the staff
Of Major Gen. Warmoth, commanding the
Grand Army of the Republic.
Sir, it seems to berthe design and the OBJ
ject Of the party over which Coy. War
moth presides that they shall create politi-
cal organizations, that they shall stack
buildings with muskets, and with pistols,
and with ammuniton; and when they see
peaceable political organizations of the
Democratic party parading through the
streets or New Orleans, with not Single
instance OF trouble. aud preserving order
such as was never before known in any city
ofthis Union, he sees fit and proper to de-
noUnce these Democratic organizations as
armed aud ready for the fray. Sir, when
he makes these statements he states what
is false, and he knows it.
Sir. the Governor has proclaimed himself
since his election, not a partisan Governor,
from the gallery of building near the
crowd which recently assembled around the
Constitution Club. He addressed them in
words which reflected credit upon him but,
sir, whilst credit has been given to him for
those words, they emanated from his lips;
they emanated from his brain, but they did
not breathe the feelings of his heart. Aud,
sir, he did not mean what he said, but
spoke under momentary- impulse of fear
and because he knew if this contest began
what would be the result. Motives of per-
soaal safety dictated to him the propriety