The weekly Louisianian., 1872-06-08


cop, that portion Of his letter spe-
cifcally replying to the questions
propounded:
The purport of your letter is IN enquiry
whether 1 I'm willing to accept candidacy
to the office of Governor Of this State upon
the base Of certain propositions advanced
by you. These propositions are, in sub
stance, a reform in the administration of
tho government in order to secure integri-
ty and official fidelity in tho conduct of
public business; IN adequate provision by
the State enabling the mass of the people
to acquire homesteads; adequate provision,
for general public education; and an equal
division Of the chief executive Offices of the
State, bstween the representatives of the
white and colored population.
It is due to myself to say that I have not
sought the honor You intimate a DISPOSE
ton to confer upon me. My inclinations
lead mo in the direction of judicial life.
The position which / hold through the
kindness of my fellow Republicans, Salts
ties every desire that I have for public en-
pIoyment. Its labors are agreeable, its
responsibilities not irksome, and the retire
ment that it allows from the the arena OF
active political strife, and from the newt
able bitterness and d%ctrnction arising from
political disappointment, where many are
eager for advancement, which only a linn
tied number can realize, is grateful.
do not feel at liberty to place my an
swer to your inquiry on personal. grounds.
The position Of our State il critical in the
extreme. It is not atin,e for personal con-
siderations to have weight. Unless our
expenditures can be reduced and our re-
sources husbanded and economically
applied to the support of the government
aud the dischargeofo our public obligations.
We have everything to fear. If such a re-
form is begun at once, there is no question
OF our ability to provide for the future.
have long and firmly believed in the
principle Of popular government. ! be.
lieve that the masso of the people are hon
est in their political purposes and ideas.
That although they may CIR many times
in the selection of their representatives and
agents, they will, in the end succeed in
selecting faithful public servants.
Ihave believed that the principle Of self.
government was not intended for any
particular race or stock of mankind, but
that it is as we'll adapted for one race As
for another, although oil nations and races
are not equally fitted, at the present day,
to enjoy its earliest fruits. =
have honestly believed that, to reap
the full advantages Of this principle, the
largest practica bic diffusion of political
power among the people is essential.
Our State stands to-day as the s~everest
test of the truth Of these propositions. If
she falls ignominiously, it will be accepted
by monarchists ct home and abroad rs
conclusive proof that the principle Of self
government is delnsion and q snare, and
BY the adherents of caste aud class privi-
lege as proof that the principle of self-gov-
eminent, at all events, il unfit to be
entrusted in the hands Of tho colored
races.
For one, I am not willing to have this
happen without at least putting forth every
effort in my power to avert it.
/ am prepared to say that, if the choice
of my fellow citizens who hold these truths
sacFed falls upon me, I have no power to
oppose my in~clinations TO their will, but
will do my best to aid them in realizing
their honest aspirations.
assume that your inquiries look to a
possible choice by the Republican party
Of this State, I beg leave to say that,
should I get the Republican nomination as
Governor of this State ON a basis embody-
ing the. propositions advanced by you, /
should without hesitation accept it..