New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-07-07
rHE PEoPLE,s eoLgMN.


fBsisf Communications Pitblished-L0ng
Ones Invariably Rejecisd-The Editor not
Responsible for he Sentiments Expressed
IL tie CONGRATULATIONS
Facts and FaucIes-T The Past of sheldon
EDITOR REPUBLICAN: g
The ever shifting and changing phases in
politics are so various and sudden that
often men lose sight of the very objects they
are in pursuit of, and exhaust their energies
in following shadow when the substance
might much easier be obtained.
Ever since the installation of Governor
Warmoth into the gubernatorial chair, he
had to contend, more or less, with kind of
resistance with a considerable portion Of
the colored people, sometimes tacit and
sometimes more energetic; yet, when the
conduct of the Governor toward these peO-
pie is thoroughly investigated, We find that
they never had any cause for dissatisfaction.
Indeed, they owe him the greatest graft
tule. Look over the list of his appoint
ments-from police jurors, eonstables, JUS
tees of the peace, sheriffs, tax collectors
and assessors in the parishes, to the appoint
ments in the various departments of this
city-on the police, in the courts and public
improvements, etc, and you will find these
positions filled, in the former, almost unani
mously by cOlored men, and in the latter to
a very great extent; this, without mention
of the many colored men who have been
elected to various positions by his help and
influence.
1 do not believe that. there is State
from Maine to Texas where the colOred
men have enjoyed more political and larger
social privileges than they have in Louisi-
ana, and by the strong will of the Governor
less violence and infringement on their
rights have been committed here than else
where. These are facts, and yet, with re-
markable perversehess, you find them ar
rayed in bitter animOsity against him.
Why is this 500 Is it owing to ignorance,
habitual ingratitude towards their benefae-
tors. or a caviling disposition? Ask any of
them what cause of grievance they have,
and they are unable to tell. AT most they
will give you some silly excuse wholly I'M
connected with the subject, or so frivolous
that You turn away in disgust.
On the other hand, they will praise and
| fatter and put forward in positions men
who have never been their friends, nor had
| a kindly feeling for them. For instance, in
reading, the other day, the proceedings of
the congressional committee on the riot of
July, 1866, / came across General l.. A.
SheldOn's testimony before that committee,
at which l was not a little astonlshed, and
| OF which l wish to give few extracts. On
page 2Sl, section 40l4, l find the following
Question-What is your opinion of that
! class of men here who advocate negro suf
! frage?
~ think they have been the cause Of
| very much irritation in the community
| from the manner in which they have advO
Gated their theories, and especially from the
| inconsistencies of the persons. =
| ] think the very best elementin Louisiana
! the element to be most relied upon in an
nergency to-day - is the Confederate
army"
| Again, in section 40l5:
II believe the kindest men in the State
toward the blacks are the old slave
! holders. The men of property who for
! merly owned the blacks are really as kind
| to them now as / or any man would be, anC
they have not the prejudice against the
race which l would feel"
! Yet General Sheldon has served two terms
] in Congress, and is again renominated bya
| large majority of cOlored delegates for 6
! third term, and all because he cares not fol
! them-nOr has he ever done anything fol
them. In such channels politics flow.
| VERITAS.