New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-07-21

| The following letter appears In an obscure
corner Of the last number Of the Thibodaux
Sentinel, yet it is one of the most important
documents that has appeared in print in
Louisiana for years. The writer is well
known in this State, and, in fact, through.
out the entire South. He won laurels in
the field, and has kept them green in the
peaceful avocations he has pursued since
the war. To him more, perhaps, than to
any other man in the State, have the con-
sentative masses began to turn for advice
and counsel and leadership. His bold, out.
spoken letter, therefore, possesses unusual
significance, and may, perhaps, be greatly
influential in promoting future prosperity
and unity of interests in our State:
THlBoDAUx, La, July Is, 1874.
Editor Ttibodaux Sentinel:
DEAR SIR-In your issue of the eleventh
instant you express . wish to see me be-
come . candidate for Congress from the
third district. 1t is true, as you say, that
many friends have expressed to me the
same wish, aud that I have declined go to
do. could, under no circumstances, be.
come the candidate of the so.called Conser.
vative party; for while l claim to be
conservative. in every political sense of the
word, my experience proves to me that
such are radical in their wishes and ideas,
almost, if not quite, to the verge of being
revolutiOnIsts. Such being my opinion Of
the personnel of the sO-called Conserva alive
party it would be, to say the least, highly
indecOrous to become the candidate of q
party whose ideas could not repI esent and
which. on the contrary, shall oppose ut
all times and in all places.
Permit me, Mr.. Editor, since you have
thus publicly called upon me, to trench upon
your space and time go far as to express to
nv friends my firm determination to adhere
to those political opinions which have at
all times expressed publicly and in private
since have had anything to do with peli-
tics. The only change which has come over
me is a. to the best method of carrying out
these ideas. 1t seems to me, however, that
others have changed; and tor this change,
though expecting none myself, have the
utmost charity. l grant to all the fullest
right to entertain such opinions In public
affairs as they think will most cOnduce to
the public welfare, and do not deem myself
80 perfect as to be qualified to judge of their
motives, much less to arrOgate to myself
the position Of censor and denunciatOr. l
believe that large majority of our people
have really a sincere desire for the welfare
not only Of our State but of the whole coun-
try, and that when differences exist they
arise from different views as to the best
means of securing this. My opinions how
ever. differ 90 widely, 90 radically from
what l am given to understand are the
opinions of most of my friends, that could
expect even should I desire to become
candidate, but little effective support from
them. Not being candidate now and be-
heving that there is little probability Of my
being so in the future, DEERE to state how
l stand upon the political issues OF the day:
do this with no vain idea OF my personal
importance nor of the Importance OF these
opinions, but simply that my friends my
know them and then relieve me OF any
future opportunities to become candidate.
Were elected to Congress would deem
it nv duty generally to support the admin
istration Of President Grant. believing that
by doing 80 could best promote the inter,
ests of Louisiana and the whole country.
could be no blind nor 'subservient sup
porter of any party nor q da any per ms
present administration upon its financial
policv-advocating expansion of the volume
of currency. l would also advocate q re.
vision of our tariff so as to do away with
the present discrimination in favor OF the
manufacturer and against the producer,
and especially would urge legislation to
protect the sugar producing interest OF
Louisiana.
would urge the recognition of Cuban
independence, and, if necessary, to secure
it by interference on the part OF the United
States. l would advocate large appropria-
tons for our Southern rivers, and especially
for the Mississippi river, its mouths and
levees. would persistently urge, above
all matters of this kind, the reparation by
the United States of the wrong done our
immediate neighbOrhOod by their officers IN
DESTROYING the utility of the Bayou La
fourche and making it instead of a benefit,
a source of danger and destruction.
Believing that the general government OF
the United States lie the power from which
we look for relief in all our troubles and
disasters should advocate the extension
of the power OF Congress by cOnsti -utional
amendment if need be. l should, if the ques-
ton came up, vote for what is called the
civil rights bill.
Lean not, Mr.. Editor, nor is there any rea-
son that l should now give my reasons for
the course have thus marked OUTPUT sui
ficieut ia said to show that, not only would
l not put myself in the leading strings OF
the Democratic party, but would IN all
things oppose its principles il principles it
have.
And here let me say. Mr.. Editor, that it
has always been q matter OF surprise TO me,
that q people with the political sagaclty
which our people claim and are possessed,
should have chained itself as bOndsman
to party opposed to all of the interests OF
our State and section.
With these expressions of sentiment and
opinion, which suppose may be styled my
political obituary, l leave the present pc,
litical contest to be conducted BY the real
or self appointed leaders of the people,
trusting that like most persons whose
obituaries have been written that l may be
left in peace and quiet for the future,
promising however that all of our people
shall at all times have the benefit of what
ever abilities l have, in whatever position
they may place me whenever can 50 serve ee
opinion and without being forced to ad-
vocate measures or support parties which
believe to be in opposition to all Of our real
interests.
With many thanks, Mr.. Editor, for your
highly complimentary notice, and the hope
that have not too far trespassed upon your
space and good nature-I remain
I'D