New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-12-04
COommunicased.l
HON. THOMAS W. CONWAY.


Our State superintendent Of Education.
EDITOR REPUBLICAN:
The above named gentleman has been
long and favorably known to the Republic
cans of Louisiana. He is graduate of
Hamilton College, New York, and came to
the South as chaplain of New York regi-
ment He afterward served a cOlored
regiment in the same capacity. General
Banks assigned him to duty in New Orleans
in the Freedmen's Bureau, and he was after
ward appointed an Assistant Commissioner
for Louisiana. The State Of Alabama was,
at one time under his jurisdiction. He was
in this State before the Republican party
came into existence, and while in the en-
ploy of the government distinguished him
self as faithful and efficient officer, and as
staunch friend of the freedmen. 1t gen.
orally happened that employees of the Blu
reau, in the discharge Of honorable and law
full duties, incurred the displeasure and
enmity of the unreconstructed element.
Mr.. Conway was a minister Of the gospel,
and he felt missionary interest in his work.
The wrath Of his enemies but reminded him
of ages ago, and the persecution Of Paul and
the disciples of Jesus. There are thousands
who will testify as to his good deeds.
When the Republican party began to lift
up it's head IL. this State, he gave it some of
his best efforts. He attained an enviable
reputation as one of its foremost champions.
Our Democratic friends dreaded his speeches
and his influence. The Congressional ex-
ecutive committee of the national Repub-
lican party, after his removal from Office by
Andrew johnson, in recognition of his abil-
ity, appointed him an organizer and can
vasser in the Southern States. His reputa-
ton is somewhat national, and he has no
reason to be ashamed of it.
1t is not surprising that the Republican
party should confer upon him the honor Of
electing him State Superintendent of Public
Schools 1t is position for which he is Pc
culiarly fitted by Christian education,
previous experience, and administrative
ability of high order. He entered upon
the duties of his Office when the passions of
the war were at great heat.
During the Presidential campaign Of 1868,
he was an earnest worker. His eloquence
accomplished much, at home and abroad.
He canvassed several of the Northern States,
and on his return home, it was found that
his zeal and labor had made great inroads
upon his health. For months he was pros
trated. He spoke in Congo square, New
Orleans, counseling peace, and indicating
his principles, when scarce able to stand.
Shortly afterward his friends found it
necessary to conceal him at different points,
to save his life from the mob which con-
trolled the city. The Democratic press,
with a characteristic meanness which is
generally understood by the Republicans of
this State, finding an avenue to popularity
and prosperity in exciting the worst pas
sions of the mob. element against the new
State government, found Thomas W. Con-
way conspicuous mark upon which to
vent their abuse. 1t fell to the lot Of every
Republican of prominence to be made the
object of ridicule, and to have character and
intentions outrageously and falsely repre-
sented. 1t is, therefore, considered an
honor to receive. such attacks; and it is a
high tribute to Mr.. Conways worth that he
was reviled and prosecuted at such hands.
The constitution of Louisiana contem-
plates and requires that system of public
schools shall be established, to which all
children of the State shall be admitted Gin
common. without distinction of race, color
or previous condition" and "there shall be
no separate schools or institutions of learn
ing established exclusively for any race by
the State of louisiana" The last Legisla-
ture adopted a school law in accordance
with these provisions. No restrictions can
be placed upon the attendance Of any chill.
dren between the ages Of six and twenty-one
years, except wholesome rules necessary to
good discipline, cleanliness and morality.
Thomas w. Conway, by virtue Of his oath
of Office, under penalty Of impeachment o.
removal. is in duty bound to faithfully
execute the law to the best Of his knowledge
and ability.
The Democratic press are cognizant Of
these facts, and yet for acts which come
within the absolute intent and control Of
the law, Superintendent Conway is made
the object of personal and malignant at
tacks; unfounded aspersions upon his honor
and integrity are made in order to crafty
the hatred which Democrats always mani
| fest toward any attempt to elevate or i'm
prove the condition of the negro race in
the South; or, indeed, toward any move
ment calculated to bring the poor and la
boring classes into healthy competition
| with capital or the favored children Of
| wealth.
If Republican journals should retaliate
| upon their Democratic confreres, whose
pride it is to indulge in extravagant and
dishonorable reflections upon men whose
| only crime consists in conscientiouse,dif
| ference of opinion, we should soon find the
public press too indecent for any families
! where morality is observed, or where re
ligiOn finds sanctuary. 1t would be withir
the bounds of reason and argument to con
Wet them of melting to riot, and total dis
regard of the peace and fair fame Of thu
State. To assert that those journals art
conducted with ability, is an uncharitabl'
reflection upon their follies.
An ambitious sheet of this class, tn
New Orleans Times, has made itself more
infamous than any Of its neighbors. If al
impartial mind were to inquire into tn
Mechanics Institute massacre of 1866, on
of the darkest stains that was ever fast
ened upon any State, it could easily trace ;
prime cause of that transaction to tn
| desnicahle slandera which anneared in til