Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1872-01-11

ii"o W attend 10 sucn matters, and thai
ne was opposed to sc ntraband children
going to school with free born children
And yet that man comes here and claims
to represent the colored people Of
Louisiana. He la one of that class that
referred to in the Second Ward Club DC
miserable carpet-bag negroes, who come
mere and sell out our party for petty posi-.
lions IN the Customhouse. 1t may be SUD-
posed from this remark that am oppos.
ed to carpet-baggers, colored and white.
say that am opposed to carpet-baggers.
who have come here for the sole purpose
OF specializing upon tee necessities of our
people, who would sell out to the highest
bidder and who would betray the Repub-
hcan party. l could properly bring these
gentlemen in this category. Now, Mr..
President to the white people of the
State l have but this to say I am a ma.
tive of the South. I was born in Geor-
gia. In personal explanation that 1
made here at an unfortunate time, in
which made use of some Infectious ex-
pressions, l gave brief biography of
myself. l shall therefore, not repeat it
now. If any Louisianian desires to learn
more of my history than I see fit to dis
close now, he has only to go to the record
to get the informatirn he seeks. From
the very commencement of my political
career down to the present moment, l
have demanded strict and equal Justice
for all classes of our people. 1 have not
attempted to make politics profession.
have gone into business, both as COM
mission merchant and as newspaper
man. l have invested my money in this
community; live here; my family is here;
my tastes and desires are here; and here
intend to remain. The interests of Louis
lana are as dear to me as they are to any
man that treads her soil. l care not
whether it be Judge Cotton, Mr.. Eustis or
Mr.. Jonas, and they are far more dear to
me than they are to MIR. Lott, and Mr..
Tucker, and Mr.. Burch. Why, 1 have
heard some of these gentlemen say that If
the Democracy should get into power
here it would be an easy matter for them
to leave and go BAT k to their former homes.
There are in the State of Louisiana ninety
thousand colored families who can not
| laava an1 70 ofhar To-,
terest of those ninety thousand families, 1
propose to work as long as God gives
me life and health and strength;
and if in the end it be necessary
that Republlcanism shall be slaughtered,
and republican institutions overthrown by
a monocracy, it will be done against the
strongest opposition can make. In say
ing this think that but echo the scnti-
ments of every honest Republican in the
country. am sorry that 1 have occupied
so much of the time of the Senate but
am tired of the '.highfafutin" and bun
combe speeches of these gentlemen who
claim to represent the honesty of Louis
lana. Why, sir if these internal demagogues
had but one-tenth part of the honesty that
has characterized the actions of the re-
representatives. of the people who have come
here in the manner pointed out by law,
they might, with some show of decency,
parade their championshipeof honesty and
reform. Their very actions for the last
few days give the lie to their professions
What does reform mean ? 1t means, sir,
if know anything about it, that the ex-
penditures of the State shall be curtailed
and that the time Of the representatives of
the people shall not be frittered away
uselessly. A whole week has been wasted
that might have been given to wholesome
legislation. And, sir, mark my prophecy
these recusant Senator's, when they come
back here, and when the bill is made out
against them, as hope it will be, for all
the expenses incurred by the State in try
ing to bring them back to their seats, will
set up such howl as was never heard be-
fore in this Senate Chamber. When the
attention of the people is called to the
fact that their money is being recklessly
squandered by useless prolongation OF
the session of the Senate, these men will
attempt TO say that it was no fault of
theirs. But their appeals will be made
in vain to an outraged and indignant
constituency. l have an abiding faith in
the wisdom and justice of the masses.
Upon the heads of these recreant Senators
will fall at the Indignation of the people
for the sins, both of commission and
omission, of this session of the Senate.
hope, sir, that the Senate will pardon me
for the time l have consumed The fact
that / have heretofore RETAINED from
speaking of my course will be a sufficient
apology for the length of the remarks l
have made.
/ Mr.. McMillen-The hour is late, Mr.
President, and 1 have no doubt that the
Senator's present are fatigued with the
long session of to-day. Therefore, what l
have to say will be very briefly stated.
deem it my duty on this occasion, as a
Senator and as the representative
upon this floor of a large consti-
tuency, to declare that 1, too,