Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1872-02-15


not become convinced that only b,
sustaining him could the Republi
can party be saved in this State
AS to the gentleman who testified
against me onpolitical points (Judg,
Walker), his character is well knowr
in this community. He is blatan
Democrat, and one of the most ma
icious newspapers published in on,
city-a sheet that would not scruple
to traduce the character of any
man who was not in political accord
with it. The outrageous statements
OF that gentleman were made fol
no other reason than to make DO
htical capital for himself or against
me. There is one portion of his
testimony which seems to me to be
extremely spicy. I refer to the fol-
lowing extract:
= * 81 was surprised to
learn from Judge Dibble and Gen
eral Sheridan that Pinchback was
the Governors choice. I expressed
my disgust in emphatic terms;
whereupon General Sheridan ex-
cused the choice as one to which the
Governor was driven by the appre-
hension that if a conservative citizen
was placed in the Lieutenant Gov
ernorship, the Legislature would i'm
peach Warmoth in order to get that
citizen into his place, and that the
election of Pinchback would flank
his movement. Judge Dibble gave
the same reason, and took the same
view. 1 denounced the proposition
as indicating very low ideas and
notions of action.
"Question-Did these gentlemen
deny that Pinchback was a rascal? ?
"Answer-No; they said he was
the smartest negro in the State"
This, I say, is very spicy piece
OF evidence. I reply that if either
Judge Walker, Judge Dibble, Gen
eral Sheridan or the Governor says
that my election was affected for
the purpose of preventing the Gov
impeachment, it is a positive
falsehoed. 1 state emphatically
that were l satisfied that no other
motive actuated those who sup
ported me than that alleged by
Judge Walker, I would not allow
another day to pass without tender
ing to the Senate my resignation as
Lieutenant Governor. 1 hold, sir, |
that l was elected to cement, if pos
sible, the broken ranks of the Re-
publican party of Louisiana, and
not to prevent the impeachment of
Henry G. Warmoth. I care but |
little whether Governor Warmoth
be impeached before his term ex-
oires; I care still less whether he is
Governor hereafter, but I do care
or the success of the Republican
party. 1 am willing at any time to
)e made the instrument of the
preservation of the Republican
party; I am prepared to occupy and
the responsibilities and du-
les of any Office in which I can
ubserve the interests of my people,
ny party and my State; but am
lot willing now, nor will 1 ever be
Wiling, to become the suppliant
oel of Henry c. Warmoth, nor
nybody else. If 1 had had the
lightest suspicion that such were
he motives that induced my cleo
ion, I would have Indignantly re-
used to accept the position l occupy.
lou know, Mr.. President Mr.. Bar
ar better perhaps than any other
erson, that / am not President of
be Senate and Lieutenant Gov
rnor by reason of any desire on
~ part to become so. You and I
s you well remember, debated at
reat length the question as to
neither it would not be impolitic
'r me to accept the position, and
on, with many other of our repre-
entative men, urged me to do so.
Judge Walker goes on to say
nat "he had no idea that his Pinch
ack's) appointment was popular
mong the colored people. They
ould regard such a man as an un-
orthy successor of Dunn, who
as Justly esteemed by all classes (.