Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-28
SECOND WARD REPUBLICANS.

SECOND WARD REPUBLICANS.
Speech Of Lieute nant Governor Pinchback
The meeting of the Second Ward Club
in the clubroom on Eratos street, between
Carondelet and Baronne, was largely at
tended. A band of music performed I
spirited part of the proceedings, and thu
gathering soon became enthusiastic.
The president having called the meeting
to order, the minutes were read, which al
luded to AN interview between . COMMITTEES
of the club and Lieutenant Governor Pinch
back, at (which he confessed himself twill
ing to do everything in his power to harmo
nize the discordant elements of the party
The minutes having been approved, the
routine business of the club was concluded
and Lieutenant Governor Pinchback was
introduced as the orator of tho evening.
After saying that he scarcely knew why
he was invited there to speak. unless it was
to define his position, and - it was lately
the habit of everybody, especially govern
ment officials, to rise to explain" it might
be that he was expected to do the same
thing. Mr.. P,nchback then went into the
subject with a vim that was frequently met
by symptoms of hearty good will.
He appeared before the meeting as Lieu
tenant Governor. Every other Office he
had sought. When he had tried to get q
position, he went for it like the mischief
but, said he, "this one did not seek. 1t
was thought best by Republicans, after the
death of Lieutenant Governor Dunn, to
elect colored man to fill that place. Re-
publicans designated me-" He went on to
say that "a heavy fight was the conse-
quence. He then flattered himself that the
opposition which arose was due more to
the fact that he was known to be friendly
to Governor Warmoth than to shortcom-
ings of his own or any personal luminosity
to himself. Time has developed that such
was not the case" There is in the Re-
publican party of this State q fiend in
human shape, q political Ishmael, This
hand against every man, every mans hand
against his" who had sought to destroy
the Republican party. This man had in
public speeches declared that virtue and
intelligence only should rule. "Need !
state" said the speaker. "what that means~
1t meant the old order of things. 1t meant
the Democracy, the landed aristocracy, the
old people-that is what it meant. This
man was lately selfconstituted champion
of the President. At one time he called
such men az Pinchback, Quinn, Barrett,
and Butler. gentlemen, and affiliated with
them; now he calls them rata Qaughter),
gamblers, thieves. II speak particularly to
the colored people, because 1 know they
have been played upon. am also charged
by this man and his set Of plotting witt the
Governor for the overthrow of the Repub.
lican party. A man who, in the convention
of 1868, stood up boldly for the rights of his
people, for their rights in the schools, who,
in the Senate, battled, at the
risk of his life, when assassins were prOwl-
ing the streets, for the same rights; man
who babe gOOdby to his wife and family
when he left in the morning, expecting
never to see them again on earth, and one
who. as he passed by in the street, heard his
own name muttered through clenched teeth,
There goes Pinchback, the son of a."
Can the Republicanism of man like this
be questioned at this late day." [Cries of
no. no..
In the Customhouse building there were
what constitutes the flag end of the
party, and of everything else;
vet of renegades from all other parties A
lew black men, he was ashamed to say it,
were among them, insensible as they were
20 the degradation of their own race. They
we're collected from all quarters, and came
rom every direction. Where were they
when it cost something to be Repub-
lean, when it involved some risk |
But now, now when i've have made it |
possible for them to come here and hold of. |
ice," they came and asked who were the |
genuine Republicans, after the battle had |
,een fought, the victory won. Laughter |
AT this time, this very hour, if they could
get hundred colored men to support them
would hand in my resignation" 1t was
rue that. in the distribution of political
on political triumph, he wanted
we're wanted and paid for, rewarded for
LONG what was required. If one wanted
POLITICAL success politicians were needed for
whom there must be some inducement, Just
ls if one wanted a house built he would
eek out a builder or q carpenter, contract
With and pay him. [Cries of That's SOL
n the respect of claiming legitimate dues
q the interest of his party he expected re-
and had been fully CON-
'ensated, but only to what he was entitled
n discharge of his duties. ''And here 1
m arraigned that have made money. So
have. But it has been made honestly and
q q way of which no man need be
shamed.." And was he the only one
Ie would look on the other side If
m informed correctly, Postmaster Lowell
n his arrival from CaddO hadn't enough
money for a shave. [Uproarious laughter
When he 1.-THE speaker) first saw him, his
lothes looked rather seedy-it NAV not
ave shown that he was poor, he didn't
they looked very much like his
wn when he didn't have second suit to
ut on. (Laughter.] And here was another
entleman-I mean the man who went on to
Washington to take Mr.. Longstreet's place
lngraham). l knew when he called upOu
he Governor for personal aid to save his
rife and children from starvation. The {
Governor interceded at the City Hall and
OF him place. He (1ngraham) has said
Q made $4,000 in the Senate. He owns
lore property now than do. You can 90
own and look at the book Of the recorder !
conveyances and see. You will find me,
is true, the owner of little old lot on
'erbigny street-a homestead, where live
but that's all And yet these were the
a. |