The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-04-23

ulCal IOrGes NOb only Hm III lhfVA VI
The levees. but regard that question
as of more vital Importance to the peo-
| pie OF our State than oil others put TO-
| gether, now that we have self-govern-
| ment. ] am also In favor OF the Pacific
| Railway, and will urge it's passage, but
| r should take care to see that the IN
terests Of the government are carefully
| guarded. -,
Rep. What, in your opinion, will be
| the policy OF the Democratic party
| toward the colored people In view OF the
fact that the Democratic party now
comes into power for the first time since
the war, In Louisiana?
Gen. Gibson-4I stand squarely upon
the 18th, 14th and 18th constitutional
amendments. want to see our colored
fellow. citizens protected In all their
civil and political rights, and every OPP
portunity afforded for education and a
gested that there should be some
restrictions upon the right OF suffrage
by certain leading Republicans In Wash.
ington, but to preserve the power and
equality oil the South In Congress, Ii not
from the motive to do justice to the col
ored man. we must stand by him IN his
/ political right.
i A great responsibility rests upon. the
white man iii his political relations
with the cpored man. III we deal fairly
by him, II we act honorably towards
him, il we teach him that suffrage is q
sacred right, III we seorn to buy or offer
a consideration for his vote, and not
only respect him as citizen, but point
out to him the necessity OF his acquiring
the habit OF self-respect, the colored
man will be useful factor In the
new epoch--but ii we attempt to de-
fraud him he will form an alliance only
with corrupt white men, and pull down
the fabric Of our political fortunes, and
, we shall all be overwhelmed In COM
mon degradation and ruin.
Rep.--Have you any thing to say rs to
the relative strength OF the various can
didates for senatorship2
Gen. Gibson-I have very slight ac-
quaintance among the members OF the
their course during the winter with
anxiety and am sure they will meet
the expectation OF the country. In the
| selecting Of Senator, as they have in
!. all other respects the highest and most
responsible trust In the gift OF our
: State. Among the candidates 80 fer
} named l have been gratihed to observe
: the names of several gentlemen whom |
have known from boyhood, who would
represent the State with zeal, ability
, and fidelity.
The reporter gracefully withdrawing,
: after the proper Acknowledgements for
: the Generals courtesy, next called upon
Mr.. B. r. Jonas, and propounded the
following questions, which were an.
swered with characteristic courtesy and
affability:
Interview with Hon. ID. +. Jonas.
Reporter-Mr. Jonas. you are proml.
yaA ALL Hat f,N hA 20 at,l RI
good many Of our citizens are anxious
to know your views Of the Presidents
0 policy, and how far you, II elected to the
Senate, would support him In 1t.
Mr.. Jonas-I most heartily approve
the course of President Hayes in regard
. to South Carolina and Louisiana, and
regard his action as both just and hon.
: orable. Should be elected Senator.
t should deem 1t my duty to give the
a President most earnest support in
carrying out that policy and In vindi
eating his action.
: I should yield him no stinted support
!. In restoring perfect peace In the South
J. between the races. and in bringing back
= the old good humor and fraternal feel
= ing between the different sections OF the
Union.
: Rep. lis it not likely that Blaine and
Y other extreme Republicans will wage
gress reassembles.
!. Mr.. JonasI think 1t very probable
= that the extremists OF the Republican
( party will inaugurate such war, but
the President will be able to withstand
the attack, inasmuch as large majority
OF the American people, of both parties
. approve his Southern policy.
1 Rep.--In the event of this contes,
s would it be your policy to let the Presi
a Hnh hnt 10 In ~
Q own party
Mr.. Jonas-I should deem 1t in that
/. event. ii elected, as we'll as that Of every
! Southern Senator and Represen tative
Q to stand by the President; to "hold
Q up his hands" and to support him
9 warmly and cordially. AS is well
| known, am National Democrat, but
q have always, and will always, place
: she welfare and interest Of my State
r and people far above party considera.
tions.
2 Rep.-You say you are Democrat
q and 1t is generally thought that the
, policy Of the Democratic party is
! against works Of Internal improvement
!, by the General Government, and
! would like to print your views as to the
7 Texas Pacific Railroad and the levees
! OF the Mississippi river.
Mr.. Jonas-Although Democrat II
: is we'll known that I formerly belonged
9 to the Whig party, and in regard to in.
: ternal improvements I yet retain my
Wing views. 1t is well to remember,
! also, that the old Whig party Of the
. South is now in the Democratic party
and has carried its governmental ideas
: into that party. The old Democratic
) theory Of non internal improvement by
\ the general government was based upon
3 the old Democratic doctrine Of the pa.
x.rt cnu fx ~ hn rot Il
. the limited agency Of the general gov.
] ernment. But that theory was de.
. stroyed by the war; The results of the
: war as written in the new constitutional
Y amendments have enlarged the powers
!, and strengthened the arm and asserted