The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-05-28
JOHN M'ENERY.

Editor Democrat should
honor John McEnery, the man who hal
stood by her in her woes and sacrifices
who fought for her the battle of civi
liberty against the combined powers o
State usurpation and Federal tyranny
who sacrificed his fortune. his business
and his home in the cause Of hel
people
He stood four years ago in Lafayette
Square. uncovered, before forty thou
sand Of his fellow citizens. and with
hands uplifted TO God, pledged himself
"a the true and lawful Governor oi
Louisiana. TO be faithful to the high
trusts reposed in him.
Deprived Of the office that Of right
belonged TO him. turned from The capi-
tol of tho State, when in quiet posses
sion, by the armed legions Of the Fed
cral Government. stripped Of all 70
sources save his personal fortune he
stood up and made a fight for liberty,
free institutions and local selfgovcrn
ment such as the world never saw.
Did John McEnery ever shrink from
any duty or responsibility? Was he
ever faithlcss to any public trust2 Has
he not borne fearlessly aloft the IN
stained banner Of our integrity rs =
peope2 Has he not battled for the true
interests Of Louisiana with brave
h6art anu unylelnlng SnlIltf
In the dark hours Of our long struggle
against tyranny and oppression, when
some Of our best citizens gave way and
were disposed to yield to the usurper
upon some slight and meagre considera-
tions-some fancful ideas of benefit
when they were for surrendering the
rights and principles for which we ms
an entire people had been contending,
John McEnery, who had abandoned al
idea of being Governor Of Louisiana rs
long as Grant held his bayonets TO his
breast. but never yielding for one mo
ment the grand contest for principle.
said II WILL NEVER ABANDON THE POST
TO WHICH THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA HAVE
CALLED Me So LONG Az | HAVE LIFE AND
STRENGTH | WILL CONTINUE 10 BATTLE TO
THE UTTERMoST FOR THEIR INAIIENABIF
RIGHT OF SELF GOVERNMENT. BEFORE TIE
PHOSPHATE FORM or Ny STRICKEN STATE !
SHALL STILL HOLD THE HGts OF THE C0NSTI
TUITION, AND NO ALIEN NOR DOMESTIC HAND
SHALL STRIKE AT HER LIBERTIES uNRE
SISTED ny ME.
No apostle Of freedom in any land
under any sun, ever uttered sublimor
sentiments. In days gone by such clio
quence. courage and patriotism have
won battles. preserved liberties. saved
reGn',,gs; n msn u0aor tho stress ., sucn
mighty difficulties. ever upheld the
rights of people or the principles Of q
government with a iirmer hand. q more
Nnseliish devotion, more dauntless
soul When he appealed TO the people
and their representatives not to surren
der the struggle. when he pointed out
with vehement logic the delusion and
the snare to which they were invited by
the compromise. then it was that enc
mics arose against him. and the voice of
Calumny assailed his best meant actions
and aspersed his purest motives.
Did he cover then when deserted by
friends and beset by the scorn and re
proachcs of "a faction2 Did ne draw
the mantle over his face and bend his
body TO receive the thrust prepared for
him in his own temple No! the same
undaunted soul was there. he had a \
duty to Louisiana to perform and like
n man he stood in the breach TO do ii OF
die
When Pitt was making his great fight
FOR the English people he never
answered single one of the thousands |
of ISLANDERS leveled against his motives. |
but when an editor accused him Of
speculating in stocks while Minister Of
Finance. he at once brought suit for I
slander against him.
McEnery paid no attention to those 7
could pe said against his integrity. that |
stood unsullicd and without tarnish in /
the fierce outburst of animosities in I
the war of elimination and rocrlmina I
tion. A dreary year rolled round after /
this storm of dissension, and the people /
OF Louisiana were again united in n
great council of the State. Passion had /
suhsided. and discvrd found no place in
this convention of the people. Those
4 Il n
joined hands for the future. The bitter
est assaIants of John McEnory accord
ed him sincerity. devotion and patriot
ism. If he had erred. it was in the
steady consistency with which he up
held the principles he had sworn TO pro-
tect. Clarendon said of Hampden, in |,
speaking of his wonderful fitness for
leadership ''he was not to be tired
out" In the long contest against
tyranny and usurpation John McEnery
has exhibited n mighty manliness and
fortitude in opposing and enduring
the difficulties and trials that every
where beset him. When the people
slept. he thought When they found
temporary ease. he was ever struggling
TO rescue them and the State from the
lawless hands into which they had fallen.
He has been the bulwarlI against which
every storm has heat-every calumny
hurled, every evil force directed
Then, If he has suffered all these
things for Louisiana; if he has been
faithful and true If he has not blenchcd
in the storm. will the people Of this
be 50 ungrateful As to
tear from him the banner he has borne
so honorably. 80 gloriously, for them in
thecause OF liberty. and consign it to
other and untried hands A just and
generous people will not r.
JUDGE w. Il. EGAN.