New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-04
confederate army, but I never Joined +

Mr. blackman-Whethe cOnscripted or
not, you were in the confederate service
ana, II l am not mistaken, you were a
Mr. HuDsaker-I was never Democrat
Mr. Blackman-Well, you we're a Wing.
Mr. Hunsaker-I was.
4, Mr. blackman-The gentleman comes into
tue senate and changes from white to black
WIN facility that is astonishing to me.
ana, suppose, astonishing to the constitu-
ency ne represents. l say it is absolutely
necessary for him to make these buncombe
speeches in behalf Of the down trOdden
col0red race" it is requisite that he should
60 often to the altar and worship at the
shrine, IN order to make his constituents
believe he is honest and candid in the ex-
preston Of his political views. All this
would do very we'll on the stump, but the
Senate Chamber is not the proper arena for
such discussions. am asked to cast my
vote for measure that know nothing Of
for a resolution asking the United States
assert, has not been read by single gentle
man on the floor.
Mr.. Campbell-I wish to ask the Senator
how many colOred people are in the parish
he represents.
Mr.. Blackman-The whites and blacks in
my parish are just about equally divided,
and everybody there stands upon an equal
footing with his neighbor, and is protected
in his life and property. l do not propose
to make one of those speeches, or rather
harangues, to which we have been treated
lately, for the purpose of currying favor
with the multitude. l came here to pass
laws in the interest of those / represent
not to make political speeches-and can
not consent to stultify myself by voting for
"a resolution l know nothing of. The Sen.
ator lMr. Hunsaker) speaks Of this as Re-
publican measure. He does not seem to
know that but four days ago only four Re-
publicans in the United States Senate voted
to entertain the proposition Of Mr.. Sumner.
1t seems that the party of the gentleman is
going back on him. When the amnesty bill
was before the United Senate, and both
Democrats and Republicans were DESTROYS
of burying the past in oblivion, and placing
everybody on an equal footing, Mr.. Sumner
rose in his seat and offered this civil rights
bill. As / said before, know nothing Of
Mr.. Summers bill; never saw it; never
read it, and venture to assert that not a
single Senator on the floor knows its con-
tents. How far it may be in violation of
the constitution of the United States or the
constitution of this State l am not
aware, and it would be simply ridicu-
resolution at the present time. l
shall offer and vote for an amendment
asking Congress to give Louisiana repub-
lican form OF government, in pursuance of
that article of the constitution which gives
it the power to do so. BY the adoption of
| that amendment we shall secure to the col
ored people of the State benefits in more
tangible shape than those to De conferred by
| the civil rights bill of Mr.. Sumner. Give us
| a republican form of government, so that
| everybody, regardless Of color, can have
| fair and equal chance. tits notorious fact
that nearly one halt Of the persons elected
| by the people to represent them In the Leg
| islature were cOlOred men who were refused
their seats by the working OF party ma
chinery and caucus trickery. Let us pass a
| law which will give the cOlOred people their
proper representatiOn-a law under which
| the Governor and his friends can not Dust
from their seats regularly elected colored
| men. and seat their partisans in their
places. 1t is a law Of that character that
| the colored people demand, and it is law
of that character that We have been trying
! to pass am willing to grant to the black
| people all the rights and privileges to which
| thew are en- titled under the constitution,
! There are laws now upon the statute books
protecting them in that respect, and am IN
favor of their retention. Ifany judge in the
State refuses to enforce them. and am sat
isfed of his guilt, will be among the first
to turn him out of office
Mr.. Barber-Did the gentleman Mr.:
Blackman) vote for the passage OF tne OH
adonted under article thirteen OF the con-
stitntion!
Mr.. Rlackman-I did not, because
Thought it unconstitutional. and the execu
five Whom YOU mr. Barberl are now assist:
ing in his fight against both the white and
coIored people Of the State, thought the
same way at the time he vetoed your FIRST
civil rights bill. He said it was unconsti
tutional. and l sustained him. ,.r
Mr.. BARBER have reference to the OH
which was signed by the Governor and be-
came law.
Mr.. Blackman-it was substantially the
same "a the other. I AN sorry 1 have beer
forced into this political discussion. have
been accused OF making political speeches
in the Senate Chamber, but l have beer
forced to do so IN every instance ia uiuoi -
renIy to personal illusions. In THIS IN
stance was forced to my feet by the re-
marks of the Senator from st. James Mr
Hunsakerl.
Mr. Pinchback-I did not desire to say
ANYTHING upon this concurrent resolution
because thought it unnecessary to 90 SO
T thonoht that after the pleasant excursion
If nv friend from Claiborne Mr.. Black
mani ON the Wilderness, his trip throug'
TN, swamps to and tiOm one OF our gal
towns. and the pleasant time he spent II
tbe comuany of my distinguished frient
and cOlleage. Mr.. Antoine and Senator In
arabam. he had become thoroughly broke!
:, IN the doctrine of equal CIV
r;obts I am told they ate at the SAM
ta6Ie drank and smoked together, and en-
;oved themselves exceedingly on perfecti.
eGual terms; and l can not conceive WI
the gentleman (Mr. Blackman) should 90
. iect to resolution according 10 otner WIN
mon the same privileges he enjoyed at ina
.:'.,a VIII sir. the condition of publ
|, nn;n;on in this State is such as to preveh
Sdm,a If tie best white friends l have iron
> rn;ny Ia Morcau's and taking dinner VIII
s"a although have no doubt the gentleman
uro, agree to do SO if l should promise .
!, foot the bill (which would certainly do)
! and if his interest drove him to IL, as II ol'
! on hoard the Wilderness l have YET 70 Sc
a white man refuse to take dr'nh ",.n
. oojored man, if his interest was inVo!VeG
Gnoi at the way the lobbyists do Loo
i,"r Jnhn's. and Moreau's, and all thos
rand nlaces of refreshmen', ny open as
T,nmnbed Inv a talismanic power, ana %hlte
'a llocks Gather round the festive boar
!, a an nerfectly equal terms. And yet, whe
, we come here and ask simple matter
f ricbt, we are referred to the constltutioi
> us it constitutional = 10 the nisI dues'i" y
t asked. Every time a luts' n'IoraI reonl
, in which the interests OF the coloreu peo I,
y of the state are involved, we are met at I %
: Derr threshold with objections on I'll
arouud of unconstitutiOnality. aln SIC SIC
E End tired of this -ceaseless pratiii
ahout the constitution. 1t struck ~
G az extraordinary when noticed 1ni
= some of my colored frienos, lew ua,
|. 400. had become terribly CONSCIENTIOUS ~ apo'
q TIE constitution opne that II tnosC Id
= lho +bev now saw are uncOnstitution
. had not been placed upon the statute pooh
L. .rontIemen would not be here now