New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-09-08
THE POLITICAL SITUATION.
Letter from MIR. Pinchback-Ludge Lude-
ling's Interview.

Letter from Mr.. Pinchback-Ludge Lude-
ling's Interview.
We copy from the New York Herald of
Sunday the following letter from Senator
Pinchback to the editor of the Herald:
FIFTH AVENUE HoTRL
New York September l, 1871.
l observe to-day In the New Orleans RE-
PUBLICAN of the twenty-seventh ultimo
what purports to be a statement from Chief
Justice Ludeling, of Louisiana, made to
one of your reporters, and which appeared
in the Herald recently. The fact that the
conversation is not claimed to have been
reported in the words of Judge Ludeling
would ordinarily have been sufficient to
preclude any notice by the colored people
of Louisiana of the statements therein
made with reference to them, and especially
as to myself. But as it is published in the
official organ of the Republican party of
my State, it might possibly be taken as
correct, unless some notice be given of its
Misrepresentation. Therefore l address
you this note simply to inform the
public, through your paper, that in
answer to the question of your reporter
Question: But some of the negroes con-
tinue an allegiance to Governor Warmoth.
Pinchback is one.
Answer: Q, yes; some of them remain
true to the Governors party. Pinchback,
and shrewd men like him, stick to the party
that is likely to give them the most fayors.
The shrewd colored men of Louisiana will
sustain no man or set of men for favor.
They desire to sustain the men whom they
believe can lead the party to success. They
are not unmindful of the fact that last year
the Republican party of Louisiana, under
the leadership of Governor Warmoth, car
ried the State by a large majority over the
opposition of the Democratic party, who,
in 1868, by intimidation and fraud prevent
ed nine-tenths of the Republicans from
going to the polls and from voting Now,
as for myself, it is well known that | have
exhibited an independence not surpassed
by any man in Louisiana, black or white
l dared, in the early days of the Repub-
lican party in the Gulf States, to oppose
every measure | did not consider right,
even at the risk of being charged with sell
ing out to the Democracy. Indeed, l have
never been regarded as an especial friend or
supporter of Governor Warmoth. Even as
late as the assembling of the Legislature in
January last, opposed many of his meas
ures, among which will mention the cleo
ton of committees by the Senate, and of the
House of Representatives, and the change
of the Metropolitan Police law; and it is
probable that l would not be with him now
were it not for the course pursued by the
late State Central Committee in attacking
every man who did not swear allegiance to
them personally. So much for myself.
Further, your reporter asks, docs War
moth retain the confidence Of the Repub-
lican and Democratic parties! - To which
Judge Ludeling is made to answer. Yes, OF
the Republicans, and the Democrats prefer
his rule to that of the opposing faction,
whose aim is merely to place the negro ele-
ment in power The contest is virtually be-
tween the whites and blacks Now,
l have no doubt of the truth and
correctness of the first part of the
statement; but as to that portion where the
Judge is made to say that the contest in
Louisiana is virtually between the whites
and blacks, l will state that it is true ap-
| peals have been made to that effect by
| Lieutenant Governor Dunn. Governor War
moth has in his possession letters written by
| Dunn, and addressed to colored men in the
! country parishes, urging upon them to elect
none but black men. These letters can be
produced at any time. 1t was last resort
| everything else had failed them. But such
appeals will never prevail with the colored
| people of Louisiana. They know full well
that they can not afford to array themselves
against the whites. All they ask is fail
representation, equal rights and justice; anc
very much doubt whether they will enjoy
| these to a greater extent under the admins
become the Republican candidate for Gov
ernor of Louisiana than they do at present
P. B. s. PINCHBACK,
President of the Republican State Contra
Executive Committee of Louisiana.