New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-11-29
TIE Late Lieutenant Governor Dnnn.


1t is the boast of the New York Herald
that it has the facilities for preparing an
obituary Of any distinguished person on the
shortest notice. We reproduce as curl
osity the following specimen from the
Herald:
A brief dispatch from The Crescent City
announces the death of Oscar j. Dunn,
Lieutenant Governor OF Louisiana in that
city yesterday. Of congestion OF the brain
and lungs. Mr.. Dunn was confined to his
residence but three days, and his demise
consequently took his friends by surprise.
The deceased, who was negro, was born in
one Of the parishes Of Louisiana in 1921. of
slave parents, and for some years Of his life
remained a slave. After arriving at man :
estate he conceived the idea Of securing his
freedom, and, if we are not mistaken. saved
sufficient to purchase il. While battling
for the possession OF money 70 secure the
boon Of freedom. he BETRAYED great anxiety
to acquire an education and in time realized
both Of his favorite ambitions. Some years
later he entered into business in New Or
leans, and being what was styled a clever
negro. of abstemious habits and industry.
he won the respect OF the whites and ac-
cumulated large property, estimated az
nearly two hundred thousand dollars.
After the war. when the negroes secured
their acknowledgements. Mr.. DuuEs superior
education led to his selection as their cham
pion. He filled the Office of recorder OF the
Second District in 1867. 1t was while serv
ing in this capacity that he first encountered
the preiudices Of the whites-the occasion
being the trial before him of man on the
charge Of perjury. Judge Abel, counsel for
the accused, objected to the jurisdiction Of
the court, on the ground that being negro,
he was unrecogniZed as a citizen. and hence
not an officer OF justice. Recorder Dunn
Overrued the objection. When the witness
for the prosecution was called he refused to
be sworn by negro. and admitting that he
intended to insult the negro magistrate,
that magnate fined him twenty -tive dollars.
Later Mr.. Dunn was chosen president OF
the Board of Aldermen. and While filling
that onerous position distinguished himself
as a presiding officer. quick of perception
and ready in debate. At the election under
the constitution of 1868 Mr.. Dunn. who had
now become the acknowledged leader of
his race in the State. was chosen Lieutenant
Governor. and on the eleventh of July o.
that year was installed into office.
He took occasion, after the alministra-
ton of the oath OF office, 20 declare in a
speech to the Legislature. that the colcred
people did not desire social equality. bat
merely the privilege OF educating their
children, SO that they might become worthy
citizens of the government and have an
equal chance in the race tor life. His speech
won him much respect in the community.
and he continued in public life up 10 the
hour of his death. During his long partici-
patton IN political affairs he continued 20
encounter the prejudices OF certain classes
of whites, and in July, 1870, Judge Cooley.
of one of the district courts. ordered his
arrest, fine and Imprisonment for contempt
in some judicial proceedings: but he was set
at liberty, as well as tie police commits
sioners, who were conjoned with him in the
order, on writ of habeas corpus. In per
sOnal appearance Governor Dunn was the
envy Of his race. Tall. well formed. with
massive, intellectual head, broad shoulders.
pleasing features tor negro. courte-
GUS and refined address. sound judgment
and great ability as an organizer, he was
just such a man as the freedmen required
for leader and champion of their cause.
During the last two years his power over
the freedmen became so great that serious
arose between him and Gov
ernOr Warmoth, resulting in the complete
disruption Of the Republican party Of the
State.