The weekly Louisianian., 1872-07-27
GRAND MASS Meeting IN
ST, HELENA.
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE PRESENT.
Coz. Pinchb0ck;'S 1ddfeSS.

Coz. PinchbUck:'s 1ddfcsS.
On the 18th instant, according to
arrangement, the people of st. He
lena, in the vicinity of Amite City
assembled to hear speeches from 1t.
Governor Pinchback and Senator
Barber. The meeting WAS duly
called to order by the President OF
one of the clubs aud amid great
anxiety to hear the Lieutenant Gov
ernor, he was called to his feet. On
rising, the Lieutenant Governor
said:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen
We have unpleasant times to have
our little talk. I did not expect to
find 80 much water up here, but it
is perhaps better to have a little too
much water than to have what /
find in some parishes-a little too
much whiskey.
In opening my remarks I must
state that I have not come here so
much for the purpose of making a
campaign speech as for the purpose
of setting myself right before you,
and I aln deeply grateful for the
invitation which has afforded me so
good ON opportunity to do so.
I understand there has been a
number Of gentlemen here who have
tried by every means to destroy
your confidence in me; they have
told you all sorts of stories to &C
complish this end, and advised the
colored people especially to stay
away from any meetings called by
me or my friends. OF course you
know whether anything like that
has been done. (Yes, yes, it has.)
I will call your attention to this,
and it ought to strike you as being
extraordinary. They have said /
am not a Republican. 1--WE know
better; we know you are one.) And
cannot be trusted by the party.
Now, if I am not q Republican and
they can prove that I am not, how
is it they. are afraid of you hearing
ME, and of meeting me themselves?
If the charges these men make
against me are true, they cor prove
them, and they would be willing to
allow you to hear my defense; but
they know full we'll that they are
false, and therefore they strive to
prevent you from hearing me Or my
friends in my defense. Isn't that
so" Loud cries Of yes, yes: it is
So.
And not only are the Custom
house satellites opposed to hearing
Of or from me, but they r afraid to
permit a discussion Of their own
principles and policy. I say afraid,
and mean it. They do not dare to
meet in debate any one who is fl
miliar with their acts. They want
to keep you in ignorance of the true
state of affairs, as in that lies their
only hope. They seek darkness;
they shun the light, one ray OF
which would expose all the hide
BUSINESS Of their acts. I affirm, with
out fear of contradiction, that any
set ofprinciples, O. t.ny policy which
will not bear ventilation, must
necessarily be bad. That's so
that's SOL Fair dealing, honest
men are always willing to give their
opponents a hearing, and leave the
verdict to the people, who are the
proper persons to decide which side
is right and which side is wrong.
For my Fart, I am ready at any time
to meet and discuss any political
question with whoever desire to DO
so. may not, it is true, use such
nicely turned sentences, or such ele-
CANT English and perfect logic as
some college-bred gentlemen, but in
my own quiet, plain, homely' way, I
will state the tacts-the. truths as
they appear to me.
For my part, I think you ought,
whenever you have the spare time,
to attend all meetings, as I do, and
hear every side Of the political is
sues Of the day discoursed, because
that prepares you to form o correct
Judgment. If I came here to make
charges against people, and tell you
that they are thieves and scoundres,
and if you hear another set of men
charge me and those who are con-
nected with me as being thievesand
scoundrels, you can put the two
statements together and take all
the facts they embrace into con-
sideration and make up your minds
as to which statement is correct,
and which Of us is entitled to your
support and confidence.
It has been the policy Of the Re
publican party III this State to ad-
wise you to remain away from al
except Republican assemblies; and
I may have given some such advice
myself, but the time has come for
you to attend all kinds. Of political
meetings ana hear what e~veE1Enan
has to say; compare all yeuyhear
with what you have previously been
told, before you make up your mind