The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-01-23
A MEMORIAL.
Senators Blackburn, Greene and
Alexander Explain.

Hon. j. b. E1stis.
There has been en- effort made by the r.
publican members of the Senate to read thel
out of the party and for the purpose of show
ing that their course was perfectly consster
with the interests of the party, and in vindics
ton of their action, they have forwarded t
the Senate OF the United States the following
To the Honorable the Senate of the United States
| America:
| As Republican State Senators of Louisiana W
beg leave to present the following views whicl
| have influenced US in participating IN the elec
ton oil the Hon. James b. EuSiis to ill vacanc
which has seemed to be existing in your honora
| bic body from our State.
| 1t seems to have been determined, upon on,
pretext or another, that the Hon. Z. B. s. Pinch
back was never elected to the United States Sen
ate by any legal or constitutional Legislature o
Louisiana. Such. We take it, has been the view
| OF at least a majority Of your honorable body
otherwise he would doubtless long since
have been admitted. He was originally
| elected, in 1873, by BODY claiming to be the
recognition from the National Senate; and il
| 1874 he himself urged, if We mistake not, tina,
! the Cause OF this failure was the doubt in the
minds Of United States Senators as to the lega
status OF the Legislature electing him; and he
insisted upon his reelection to said position at
| that time, which, however, he failed to obtain
but when he did finally obtain from the body
known as the Hahn Legislature, ID 1875, prior
to the adoption OF what Is known in this state as
the " Wheeler adjustment
This reelection, in the opinion Of some was a
virtual concession Oh the part OF Mr.. Pinchback,
and OF said last named body, acting as the Legis-
latuie of 1873, by which he rirst elected, was
without lawful status or competent authority, be-
cause, II 1t had been the lawfully or legally con-
sututed Legislature Of the State, there could
have been no cause for said reelection in 1915
Such has been the argument; and with some
seeming force, as must DC confessed.
And again, 1t has been urged with equal
grounds OF reason and force, that this reelection
was no more vaid than the first election; be-
cause, as is hell, the adoption OF the g. Wheeler
adJus mept, and the final aud satisfactory reor-
ganization If the House Of Representatives under
the said adjustment, is proof that the "Hahn
House of Representatives was not a lawfully
constituted body, and for that reason not compe-
tent to elect d United States senator; and this
said " Wheeler adjustment" under which our
Legislature has been mani ulated into its present
organization, is now, III the ntert st Of peace and
harmony i'll the State, virtually and practically
accepted as tnaity by all parties.
III view OF these facts, taken III connect ON with
the continued non-actlon OF your honorable body,
on question or issue Of SO vital importance to
us as State, there has seemed to us some rea-
sonable ground to doubt the just basis for the
valid claims of Mr.. PInchback to a seat in the
lmted States Senate-and, correlative or
Kindred conclusion, that therefore there really
existed, IN law as well as in fact, a vacancy in
your honorable body, in one of the seats belong
ing to Louisiana, which due respect for the
law OF the land, and for the interest OF the State
required should be properly filled; and 1t was
with this view, which We have been led to believe
has, to some degree at least, been your own
view, we were induced to participate in the elec.
ton OF Mr.. Eustis, to ill said vacancy in your
honorable body.
We feel la it We're useless for us to speak
here OF our devotion and fidelity to the principles
Of the National Republican party We claim a
record ON this score equal to any in the Union.
We simply challenge comparison aud the closest
cfltici III IN this respect. And in voting for Mr..
Eustls being unable at the time to elect gentle
man strictly OF our OWN party faith, feel that
we were but dlscharging duty to our State, and |
performing an act III the interest of peace and |
prosperity, and healthy and lasting good will |
among all here at home, by honorlng high |
toned and falr-minded gentleman without bem- |
sh or even SD splclon upon his character, aud who
It all times has been conciliatory and |
ruly conservatives gentleman who con-
rlbuted more, perhaps, than any other one |
person to bring bout an amicabe adjustment of |
,ur Legislative muddie and governmental difficult
les, under what is termed the :. Wheeler Adjust
neny"-trom which adjustment has resulted
iegree of peace and harmony before unknown in |
,ur State for many years.
And thus 1t is that we have felt it our duty to
present these views in this formal manner to in
lpate in the recent election of the Hon. James
;. Eustis to the Senate OF the United States,
ontrary to the opinions and judgment of the
majority OF our Republican coea CUES in the State
enate; this much we have deemed due ON points
L law and technical propriety: and now we wish
o say word as to the general and practical
eariDgs of the case here in Louisiana.
And under this view We must first and fore
most most earnestly appeal to you to at once
Omit either Mr.. Pinchback or Mr.. Eustis to a
in hpnnra 10 holy NIa ,J,b
our State wish this question settled one way or
be other. The facts are before you, and if you
dmlt either one or the other, we shall not az III
lviduals complain. II you think the merits of
he case will justify the admission of Pinchback,
hen admit him. Perhaps the State of Louisiana
an survive if the Senate of the Nation can en-
uro it. Il would doutless greatly please the
olored political leaders, both here and elsewhere,
ut we are candid when we FAY that in our an
iased udgment, it would not in any way benefit ,
ae colored masses in louisiana nor be of any spe-
a credit practical utility to State at large
'e have already had entirely too much political
rfe and social demora hzation in this State, and
u too much party plumber ard official venality
nd lmbecllIty; and the entire masses of our peO- ,
lie, both white and black, shudder at the bare !
lought OF any prolongation OF party rings of :
under and hate. We are "to the manner
orn," and claim to know what will bring peace,
God will and permanent prosperity to our people. :
Official strife the color line or otherwise will ,
ever do If. The great and leading considera-
on with the whole country should be the pro- :
sction Of the honest laboring masses Of the :
0lored people The white population can, as q
general ruiz, protect themselves. We as q
ldlvduals ask no special protection or :
immunity for ourselves; we are in no feuds with
lr neighbors, of any or COLOR but We do ,
SIX for condition OF affairs which will insure :
rejection and fair play to the honest laborng =
'lored masses, who produce the living sub :
ance OF the State, and who neither ask nor ex.
ect office. And we say candidly that the only !,
fe protection to this class is found in the local
ndy feeling and sentiment OF the ruling white j,
asses: and we say further, most candidly and =
n phaticaliv, that the placing of colored men in .
hcial positions over worthy and true white men Z
under strained and doubtful con-
ructons of legal right ana propriety-will never :,
ollify this feeling, and viii never bring credi-
Ity or safety to any class in any SECTION or To-
ii of the Southern country.
This, from long and closely observant practi- T
j eXperience-an experience not composed alto -
'ther of fiowery beds of ease-is to our view -
e practical bearing and solution of the ques- -
IN, and tine sooner it is practically understood g
I'd practically acted upon by the whole country