The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-01-08

, terized that self same Governor as a
thief, as a vagabond, as carpet-bagger
as o renegade, and as everything vile
that is contained in the English vocabu-
larry? Is it possible that these gentlemen
here, representing as they claim, the
honesty and the chivalry Of the State,
come here to give their votes in favor OF
this executive? Do the people know
what their men are doing ? Why is it
that theyw wish to change this old rule
Why do they propose to have the cleo
ton by ballot a.? Is it in order that the
committees may be chosen by the ring !?
And who composes that ring, as made
manifest by the action of the Senate to-
day? Belt said to their shame that it is
composed of the very men who have
characterized the man that they now
sustain as every thing but a gentleman.
took the position at first that his Ex-
cellency-as it appears to them at this
late day he is-was an able man, compe-
tent to lead the State, competent to
bring out its industries, and competent
to govern its people without regard
to race, color or previous condition. When
1 said SO before, they said lied, and the
same was said of every man that spoke in
his favor But what do we see now? We sec
them now going back on everything they
have said. And if tho result of their ac-
ton is such as to make the black people
OF this State the suppliant tools of carpet
baggers. scallawags thieves and rene
gades, al they have charged, whose fault
will it be 1t will be the fault of the
Democratic Senators on this floor. Let
me tell them that for I am prepared to
sustain his Excellency myself when see
that the chilvalry is educated up to that
point. You propose to make me his
slave you propose to make my people
his slaves you propose to help him to
rivet the chains together around us and
if you can stand it, we can, and we will
help you to do it. That's all I have to
say.
Alr. Black,nan This seems to be a
very violent attack ON the very small
minority composed of Democrats that
are in the Senate chamber now. I am
very proud to zee that, though in the
minority, they at last have become of
some value. When l look back, sir, to
the time of the first organization of the
Senate, when some of my political col
leagues. elected fairly and squarely by
the people of the State of Louisiana. were
driven from the Legislative halls by the
gentleman who has just spoken and his
colleagues when have seen that very
gentleman joining faction for the pur-
pose of slaughtering the best interests
Of the State of Louisiana when he has
turned his whole strength, the strength
of his party and the strength Of his peo-
pie toward riveting the chains around
our necks, as well as around the necks
of his own race when l look back ut all |
this, am glad that the moment has
come when his duty to himself, to his
race and to the people of Louisiana is
awakened into action. If he had acted |
with the people Of Louisiana, with the
old residents of the State, representing,
as he says. the chivalry. the pride. the
patriotism and the wealth of the State.
it might have been different. We offered
to meet him upon fair and equal terms i
we accepted the situation as the gentle
man asked us to accept it ; we accepted
every measure that he asked us to accept i
and in spite Of the hberality of this peo-
pie whom he denominates the chiyalrv
and the wealth Of the country, what did
we see ? That the gentleman joined in
opposition to us for the purpose of irvet-
ing our chains more strongly. The peo-
pie of the State Of Louisiana alo now re-
presentedin in the Senate Chamber by on
" seven Democrats That is tho result
Of the gentleman's ection; and be now
has the audacity to appeal to us Are
We to be slaughtered in cold blood, and
then be appealed to for sympathy Ny
God. Mr.. President. it seems to mo that
it is time for the Democrats to take care
of themselves We are given over to the