The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1875-06-18
The Sl,enkcrSIaflS.

of the claims OF Mr.. Kerr upon IAouiSl;llia.
we used the following language:
Upon Louisiana he has the vcly strongest
claims, for he it was who sacrificed comfort
aud incurred all manner of annoyance for
hs misT"a a,nd Is mnset CoH his opponent,
although appealed to. would scarcely listen
with patience to the story of Ion1siana's
woes and wrongs.
It seems that a copy of the TELEGRAPH
OF the 18th by some miraculous mischance
fell into the hands of a friend of Fernando
Wood, who mails us from New York the
annexed anonymous note:
New YORK, Juno 10 1875.
A copy of your paper has found it's way
prised that you should attempt to assist
Mr.. Kerr a candidate for Speaker by |
attacking the fidelity of Fernando Wood
is the man of all others to whom your
State is indebted. He was member Of
and wrote the celebrated report in favor
of tho admission of Louisiana. He has
boon the constant; able ard consistent
friend OF the South throughout from tho
beginning until now.
How any Southern man can so far forget
his duty as to turn against him ! cannot
see. You have not and cannot find any
evidence that he 'would not listen" to the
story of Louisiana's woes and wrongs.
Please take this back and do justice to IL
good man.
We have doubt naneless cores
pondent was surprised at our language.
and we judge he will be equally AS much
surprised when he learns that we have
nothing we have said concerning Mr..
Wood, to stake back.'
What Mr.. Wood may have written or
done during the progress OF the Radica!
scheme of reconstruction has nothing I"
do with our censure of his course. We
begin at later date--in 1869 and 1870,
when Louisiana had full Democratic
delegation applying for admission to Con-
Eress (thc writer being Of tho delegation)
and when Mr.. Wood occupied seat in
tho House from New York. Our per-
sonal recOllections of Mr.. Woods want OF
interest in the celebrated Louisiana con-
tests then pending, are distinct, being based
upon daily observation from a desk in the
House. We doubt if Mr.. Wood over
devoted an hours time to tho investigation
of the five contests referred to: he did, h
was too much absorbed with less important
matters, or too Indifferent to tho purity OF
elections and the rights OF Louisiana, to
mako tho results of his investigations
known upon the floor 1t was VOL known
to tho Louisiana delegation, and was mat
ter of frequent conservation among the
tho mombers elect that Mr.. Wood not only
was reticcnt and unc"ncorncd, but that
he, by his manner, oven repuiscd tho tamil
y
several cases by the members OF tho Louisi-
ana delegation. TO tho extent of voting
with tho Democrats OF the house, Mr..
Wood was i:,ultlcss, but the splendid talent,
warm southern Sympathics and courage
for which he has IL reputation never found
expression in any other manner while the
writer was watching the proceedings of the
House in tho Louisiana cases.
Mr. Kerr, on tho other hand cvinccd
from the beginninS deep interest in the
troubles of Louisiana. lie was never too
busy, although one of the most laborious
members of Congress and constantly
absorbed with his duties, t" give counsel,
or to listen to suggestions. His patience
seemed inc Nhaustibo-hS vigilance uncnd-
ing; and notwithstanding rs Lousiana's
advocate and champion, no met with
defeat after defeat before il Radical minority,
his energy and zeal never tagged. In f:,ct,
Mr.. Kerr fought tho whole five contests
almost single-hnntletl, and did ten times
the labor done by Mr.. Wood, Mr.. Cox and
Mr.. Randall all put together. For this
reason have said that tho Democratic
congressman of this State ought to support
Mr.. Kerr for Speaker (his fitness being
conceded on all hands) and that it would
be ingratitude in l.o,isiana's representa-
ttves not to support him.
There arc other reasons for proierring Mr..
Kerr to Mr.. Wood, or either of his oppo-
nents. Mr.. Kerr is from the great West
and i'll thorough sympathy with the people.
Wanting CoN's versatility and genius per-
hapS, no posSeSseS--whnt Cox has not
weight, dignity and tenacity of purpose.
lIc has none OF Woods austcrity and OK
clusvcncsS-wcll-tr trained must ache or but
toned-up coat; but is equally ablc in
plain attire and modest ways, and has the
vigor of manhood left and II record without
stain. Randall, no doubt, is Il better parlia-
mcntarian, but hc loves Pennsylvania iron
too we'll, lacks all the qualities OF Il leader.
except in Il ''scriinmagc," or rhiladclrhiu
tiremen's row; whilc MIR. Kerr is II loader.
y friend Of the farmer and represents the
progressive Democratic principles OF tho
day ~ completely as any man who will
answer roll-call in the next House. He is
nntettered by rings or bonds Is Mr.
Wood? No Pennsylvania fnundcrcs. or
coal mines can irr r.nco Mr.. Kcrr. Can
thcy influence Mr.. Randall? Mr. Krrr is
permanently Identified with great State
and stands before tho country real repre-
sentative of its industries and enterprise
which Mr.. Cox certainly is not.