New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-12

The Times Reporter mt the Feet of Acting
Governor Pinchbnck.

The Time. Reporter at the Feet of Acting
Governor Pinchbnck.
Our neighbor, has extended his "review.
ing propensities to the acting Governor
with the following result:
Reporter-As acting Governor of Louis
iana, even for brief period, the people
naturally feel some curiosity respecting
your views and political attitude toward
them, and have been directed by the editor
of the Times to meet you for the purpose OF
proposing few Undergraduates: that is,
with your consent.
Pinchback-1 have no special objection.
but would prefer deferring it for while
Reporter-1n politics, as in everything
else, YOU know there is no time like the
present, and the public curiosity is now
fully aroused to all political considerations
Pinchback-1 am sensible of that fact
and am willing to give you all the informa
ton l can consistent with my present poIit-
zeal situation and duties.
keporter-Of course you are at liberty
to discriminate, and if that is the only OBJ
lection will open the budget.
-Pinchback-Eery well, sir, proceed.
Heporter-You seem to be recognized by
your race in this State as its exponent, and
the inheritor Of the mantle which fell from
the shoulders of Liuetenant Governor
Dunn!
Pinchback-I have always had more in
tluence with my race in this State than Mr..
Dunn. / have defeated him in every CON
test where we ever came before the people:
therefore do not admi. that his mantle
has fallen on my shoulders. l stand on nv
own merits. Mr.. Dunn was very popular
among certain circles, but my own greater
eXertlOns and achievements in behalf of the
cOlored people give me wider influence.
and, think, greater popularity. Mr. Dunn
was, perhaps, more imposing looking
leader than myself, but have always been
recognized as the real worker.
ON ANTAGONIST OF RACES.
Reporter-In your opinion is there any
antagOnsm in the interests of the white
and colored inhabitants of louisiana
Pinchback-I answer frankly that there
is not the slightest.
RepOrter-DO you sincerely believe that
it is possible for race so lately enamel
pated and under the ban of social preju-
dice to establish real equality with the
white during the present generation?
pinchback-There is no such thing as
social equality in either race. AS to what
the colOred people can be able to do in
that direction, time alone can tell. The
great cry about social equality has been
paradcd 80 much that 1 have grown
ashamed of it myself and scarcely think it |
worth intelligent consideration.
Reporter-Then, do you not think it I'M !
wise and impolitic to use legislation to en- !
force such equality, which can only result |
in mutual acrimOny and disaster!
Pinch back-I know of no legislation that |
has been made for that purpose. There is |
great difference between mems civil and |
public rights and what is generally under
stood by social equality. 1t is true we
have the civil rights bill in our State, and
demand the passage of Mr.. Summers sup
Elemental civil rights bill, but not for the
purpose of establishing social equality. We
only desire that our people shall be treated
the same as others for the same mOneyed
consideration, both in travelling and being
entertained in public places.
Reporter-As an impartial statesman do
you not think that time and opportunity
should be given for the better education
and enlightment OF your race before it is
intrusted with grave official responsibilities!
Pinchback-I am willing to admit that
intelligence is absolutely necessary for eff
ficiency in office, but in this State, where
our people constitute such a very large
proportion OF the voting population. and
are Justly entitled to recognition in office,
it is impossible to discriminate against them
The election of SO many ignorant men to
of the situation and our mode of choosing
officers in this country, where people are
in most cases "vOted," instead of voting.
Sooner or later, in my opinion, a qualified
suffrage will be found an actual necessity
for the protection and preservation of good
government. l have no doubt that the
next generation of cOlOred people will &C
cept this view of the case, since no people
that ever lived are more rapidly acquiring
knowledge, particularly upon the subject OF
political economy.
ON CASTE.
Reporter-Is there not q conflict of in
terest between the plantation negroes and
the more aristOcratic cOlOred people; or, in
other words, between those who toll for
their daily bread and those who aspire to
official position and association
Pinchback-I will answer that question
in the Yankee style, by asking another:
..Is there any conflict between the labOring
white classes and the more aristOcratic9'
ReIprter-There is always social jeal-
ousy. but am not aware that it extends to |
politics. What want to know is whether
the two classes of cOlOred people are likely
to differ in politics, or will they always act
as unit.
Pinchback-My opinion is that the bulk
of both classes of colOred people Will act as
a unit politically until every vestlge OF caste
is overcome. .,
Renorter-What are your ideas concern
mo the future policy and future destiny OF
your race in this State
Pinchback-Everything hangs on that
one point. The only difference between
he black and white races is that OF "caste."
n this was removed, l am confident that
here would he perfect unanimity between
he southern people, white ana colored, be-
.ause our people naturally love the south.
I'm people, and feel perfect identity OF
interest with them. This, l believe, is des-
lined to come sooner or later, and when II
arrives, the political strength OF the colored
people as a race will be absorbed in what
ever general division of politics may arse