New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-18

ORLEANS MARCH

that such would be the case, it equally fol-
lows that it would deprive the Republican
party Of all motive for . vigilant end de-
termtned effort to protect us in our rights.
Imake these remarks because the Demo
cratic prese seems willing enough to seize
every occasion to destroy the colored man's
confidence in the Republican party, 1T the
same time that its own party 10 doing ito Mt
most to reduce us again 70 something akin
to the hsteful condition Of bondage from
which We have been 90 recently delivered.
am not very sensitive man, but 81
ready feel here in Washington the baneful
ELECTS Of Democratic aseendency in ono
branch of the national legislature. and
ask colored men to consider what would be
the state of things if that party had oil the
branches of the government in its hands.
l am not among those who think the Ameri-
can people are now going to put the govern
mt back into the hands Of the party OF
rebellion and slavery; nor do despair OF
the ultimate peace and freedom of my race.
NO middle ground for us. We must either
have oil the rights of American. citizens or
we must be exterminsted. for We never can
Again be slaves. Nor can We cease to trouble
the American people while any right en-
joyed by others 10 denied or withheld from
ue.
Mr.. Downing declared that the policy of
the c0lored people would soon be to etand
aloof from both parties. At present he
would advise his hearers to stand by the
Republican party as the least Of two evils.
The resolutions were unanimously
adopted.
The mass meeting then adjourned, after
giving "three cheers for Governor Pinch
back"
The delegation, numbering probably 400
or more, headed by band Of music, then
marched to the Ebbitt House. After few
airs by the band, and cries and cheers tor
Senator Morton, that gentleman appeared
with several friends on the balcony of the
hotel. He was introduced to the serenading
patty by Mr.. A. N. Green in An appropriate
speech.
The Senator thanked the assembled
crowd for the compliment paid him, and
assured them that he would always work
willingly in behalf of the colored or any
other people that he deemed uDjustly dealt
with. He had supported the claims of
Pinchback to Q seat in the Senate because
he was elected by . large majority, and
not question of anything but right, and
that had caused him to esPouse Mr.. Pinch
backs cause. The Senator was interrupted
throughout his speech by hearty applause.
Al the conclusion of his remarks Mr..
Fred Douglass addressed himself elo-
quently to his countrymen, and was fire.
quently compelled to desist speaking in
order to permit the crowd to cheer. The
procession then repaired to Mr.. Douglass
| residence. where Mr.. Pinchback 10 tenn
porarily ecjourning.
| Mr.. Pinchback being called upon, ad.
dressed his friends in the following Ian.
puago. We give his speech in full, ~ in il
he explains his position:
| FellOw-citizens-It is usual on great tri-
| umphal occasions to pay such compliments
40 this to the person or persons that
achieved the victory. But often. too often
failure is counted q crime. The struggling
hero who has fought his way inch by incl
| over almost insurmountable difficulties
amid danger and death, until nearly within
reach Of the goal of his ambition and theE
| faile, rarely receives credit for what he hal
accomplished, and frequently il soon for
| gotten.
That such fate does not await me, is ct
| tested by your presence here tonight; ant
it is this fact that gives significance to th'
occasion and renders it the more appre
ciable.
such . long, weary and patient struggle
falls heavily upon me; but it is not such
blow as to kill. can and will survive it.
Eight years ago my political caree
began as Q member Of the constitutions
convention of Louisiana, and although in
experienced and poorly fitted for publ
life, have. by patient industry, persevel
ance and fidelity to my official trusts
worked my way through successive promo
tions MP to the Senate of the United States
with title as good and valid as any man
| nov hn16in0 n oAQf in that h00V
Upon technical grounds have been de
MED my seat, and l return home to COZ
stituency true and brave, that will COZ
tinue to honor me with their cOnfidenc
and support.
The personal loss have sustained in thi
contest is great, but immessurab)y create
has been the loss of my people, who TO
eight long years, under the most trying Gil
cumstances, have stood . solid phalanx ii
the ranks Of the Republican party. Upo
them the blow falls the heaviest; their On
ticipated rejOicings have been hashed, IN
with sorrowful hearts they await my CON
ing to tell them how . Republican Senat
could reject their representative.
shall leave Washington in few day.
my friends, and l 60 as l came, every inc
man. Schooled TO adversity in my youth
and the victim of many wrongs, have Ion
since learned to bear up manfully under 81
i
me BY some one of the numerous newl
papers that have criticised me while NJ
case was pending before the Senate, that
was "like an India rubber ball; the harde
l was thrown down the higher l wOul
bounce" Believing with Richelieu, tha
"in the bright lexicon of youth there is n
such word as fail" do not propose to n
main down now.
A word in reference to Senator Morto
and those other Senators who stood by %
60 nobls; they are entitled to, and truf
will receive the grateful thanks OF the co
ored people and their friends everywher.
To the former, especially, do We owe mucl
not alone for his course upon the Louisian
senatorial question, but for his uniform an
persistent efforts to advance the interest {
the poor and lowly, and to secure to on
people protection in their rights all owe
the land, and especially in the South.
The treatment / received at the hands {
the Democratic Senators, with one or tW
exceptions, under the circumstances, va
kind and considerate. Their oppOsitio
proceeded upon the assumption that Hol
} John McEnery was the rightful Governt
of Louisiana, and was, therefore, perfectl
friends, l shall leave here with no repil
lngs, conscious that the ordeal throug
which have passed has made me moro On
better friends than I had when l arrive,
As proof Of which shall point to tn
grand demonstration given to me by Il
citizens of Washington in the hour Of n
defeat.
Gentlemen. appreciating most high
and friendship, and returning you my graf
| Tn1 fh ovHn xOR no o11nvv mo n hid