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

would give whatever OF energy and abil-
ity / possess toward obtaining govern
ment aid for that great work A Texas
Pacific railroad, b line OF steamers to
Brazil, q deep water passage to the sea
are oil works Of the same character and
should command my heartiest approval
and support
Rep.--What, In your opinion. will
be the policy of the Democratic party
toward the eolored people. In view of
the fact that the Democratic party now
comes into power for the first time since
the war, in this State
Mr.. Jonas--I think the relations be-
tween the two races In this State will
soon be OF the kindliest character.
Since reconstruction the Democratic
party has warred not against the col
ored race, but against misgovernment.
The party, without exception, indorse
the sentiments expressed by Gov. Nich-
oils In his Baton Rouge speech, which
have since received Endorsement in the
Democratic platform and In resolutions
passed by the General Assembly. An
examination OF the acts passed by the
present Legislature, composed almost
entirely OF Democrats, will show that
the spirit OF that speech and the plat
form has been carried out fully.
For myself, while have persistently
battled against Radicalism In Louisiana
since reconstruction. / have ever enter
tained the most kindly feelings towards
the colored people and have labored to
bring them into affiliation with their
white friends and neighbors, who, |
knew, best appreciated and most cared
for their true interests. believe the
two races are at last practically united
In Louisiana, and look to the advance
lnent Of both in happiness, education,
good government and material prosper
ity. / apprehend, at no distant day,
that an effort will be made by the
Northern Republican party to restrict
ment looking to that result was inau-
gurated by Senator Edmunds at the last
session OF Congress. In that day the
colored man will find in the Democratic
party the champion OF impartial suf-
frage IN the South. We cannot afford
to give up colored suffrage, for 1t Is an
element OF too much power and I'M
portance In the Union.
Rep.-l suppose, Mr.. Jonas, you do
not care to hazard an opinion as to the
relative strength of the various eandi-
dates for the senatorship?
Mr.. Jonas-Oh mol I have nothing
to say, except that I highly esteem the
distinguished gentlemen who are mem
toned most prominently for the posi-
tion, and feel that either OF them would
we'll and worthily represent US In the
national councils.
Well pleased with this interview, our
reporter bowed himself away from the
presence OF the honorable candidate
and proceeded to the residence oi
Judge FL. M. Spofford, who received
him with his usual high. bred affability
immediately proceeding to business,
the following questions were regul arly
put and readily answered.
| Interview with Judge spoTord.
\ Rep.-Judge Spofford, you are very
prominently spoken of Ia connection
with the Senatorship, and many Of oul
people would like to have your views ol
the Presidents policy, and how far you
II elected to the Senate. would support
him in 1t?
Judge Spofford-Th policy OF Presi
dent Hayes, as outlined by his inaugural
address and his official action since be
was declared President by the constitu
tional authority, has met my hearty ap
probation; and so long as he stands
squarely up to that policy he will have
my humble support whether l may oc
cupy public or u private station.
Rep.-Is 1t not likely that Blaine ano
other extreme Republicans will wage
fierce war upon the President when
Congress reassembles ?
. Judge Spofford-I cannot foretell what
i Mr.. Blaine and other extreme Republi
cans will do upon the reassembling o1
Congress. They belong to school ol
politicians who prefer war to peace, who
delight in stirring up the bad passions
lfF hnf
volution so long as it makes them con.
spicuous they are powerful to destroy
and impotent to build +; their instinc!
teaches them that President Hayes pol
icy OF reconciliation and OF reconstruc.
tion, on the principle Of natural inter.
est, instead OF the principle Of natural
hate, will, il successful, remand them
to comparative obscurity. AS such men
are fond of making a blaze" as Mr.
Lincoln used to call it, it Is natural te
suppose they may become leaders Of an
opposition to the Presidents declared
policy.
Rep.-In the event Of this contest be.
tween the President and the extremists
would it be your policy to let the Presi-
dent fight his own battles within his
own party /?
| Judge Spofford-Believing that the
"Hayes' policy" as it is called, will re-
dound to the lasting benefit Of the
country in general, and Of our State In
particular, I think every true Louisian
ian and every true patriot should sus
tain it, irrespective of old party ties
The best manner of sustaining it will
be developed more fully as time rolls
on. No party and no country ever
stands still. Each must. by an inexor.
able law, 60 forward or backward
There are symptoms Of an approaching
disintegration and decomposition Of ole
parties in this country. It is the bust
i ness Of statesman to watch events
and SO guide them, IL he can, as to keel
his country on an ascending plane. :,
to the policy OF government aid tc
works Of internal improvements, ano
particularly with regard to the levees