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

eaie nut Stand mere as the representa-
tive of ninety thousand black voters in
this State, and never, while l have a vote
to cast or voice to raise in their behalf,
will act or speak against their interests.
even though should fall martyr to the
cause OF human liberty. Threats and at
tempted intimidation can affect me not.
am inbued with the same spirit that
inspired Robert Emmett when he asked
that his epitaph be not written at the time
of his death, but that it be left for time to
record. ask for no public appreciation
now; desire my course to be left to
time for justification or condemnation. If
future developments prove my position to
be false one, let the black people Of the
!State brand me as traitor of the deepest
dye let them bury my name SO deeply in
oblivion that time shall never resurrect it.
l ask now that their judgment be suspend
ed until the future proves whether nv
course be wise or foolish.
Now, Mr.. President, what are we asked to
do? We are asked to surrender this State
government intothe hands Of the enemies of
the colored race. We are asked to repeal ey-
cry law that guarantees to them the free and
undisturbed exercises Of their civil and polit.
ical rights. And what are those laws? First
comes the election. The distinguished Sem
ator who Is now temporarily presiding (Mr.
AndersOn) can not help but remember that
when that act was before ,he Senate il was
wite great reluctance that consented to its
passage. Every member of the old Senate
knows that l voted for it merely to keen
within the bounds Of party rule. I said i.
was rwo edged sword that might cut in
both directions. The late lamented Oscar
}. Dunn, stood with me hour after hour on
Canal street and urged me to yield and give
my support to the bill am not afraid OF
any contradiction of this fact, because there
are hving witnesses who will verify what I
say. Twas forced, in manner, to support
that measure. Thought it was unwise and
mpolitic in the powers it conferred, and
objected to it for that reason. I was over
rnled by the Senate; the bill passed. it receiv-
ed the approval Of the Governor, and was
promulgated as law. We had an election
under it, and what was the result? Why, we
had quiet and peaceable election. The
scenes of bloodshed and riot which discraced
our State during the preceding campaign
were no longer known. / am told that some
Of our people suffered from its operation.
Granted; but was there ever a law enacted in
this or any other State of the Union that did
not operate to the injury of somebody? 1t
is impossible to get honest and upright Off
GERS always to execute the law We all know
how the laws are executed now could cite
instances, if necessary, on both sides of the
house, where the laws have been grossly
abused in their administration, but these are
not common occurrences One thing know
in reference to that election law, that while
it may have been instrumental in cutting off
the heads OF some Of my political friends.
yet it prevented riot and bloodshed and the
intimidation OF the colored people, and gave
us Republican victory in the State When
Gay IL gave ur d lscpiDllcdn triumph. L De-
lieve it to have been the result of fair and
full expression Of the will Of the people. l
/ do not ask law solely to guard the inter-
est of the Repulicanism; / want the laws to
protect every citizen alike irrespective Of par
ty. think that election law, if justly and
properly administered will protect every citi-
izen in the exercise of his legal privileges.
That there are some provisions in it which
require modification, am satisfied That I
will vote for those notifications pledge nv
self now; but if l am asked to vote for The
total repeal Of that law, which would. in nv
opinion, inauSurate in this State the terrible
scenes of 1868, l emphatically say that | can
not, will not do it. l have had sent to me
an extraordinary notice. which reads as fol-
lows:
SPECIAL NOTICE.
NEW ORLEANL, January 8, 1872
All Radical Republican Ward Clubs of the
city Of New Orleans are respectfully invited
to attend grand mass meeting at Lafay tie
square this evening, at P. NJ. Punctual
attendance is requested.