The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-01-24
THE SITUATION.

'"noh VIC eoieh'n oati vi OlHce III your
body to testify whether / speak truly
or falsely; call upon whatever hon
esty or integrity that is left in that
miserable body to testify whether
speak the truth; l call upon my old
friends, Nicholas Burton, of Carroll,
Stewart, of Tensas, and others equally
well known to come forward and tell
upon their honor as meli, to the world,
whether there be not two or three
rings who sold out to tile highest bid
der. / call upon these men to testify
to the truth or falsity of the charge
that l make to-day, that Mr.. Pitt Kel-
logg, by virtue of his pretended power
of Governor, by virtue Of the distribu-
lions of positions and Offices of tax
collectors and other Offices under his
gift, from the Supreme Court, Which
ought to stand, like Caesars wife
above suspicion, to the lowest member
of the Police Jury to secure his election
as Senator. In addition to that !
charge that in the St. Lonis Hotel a
ring exists, presided over by Lewis j.
Souer, who distributed to the members
of that Legislature the sum of two
hundred and fifty dollars each for their
vote for VIM. Pitt Kellogg for U. S.
Senator for the long term.
I say here that the President of the
United States could not soil his fair
name by even upholding or recogui-
zing this corrupt and uFurping institu-
ton. 1t was my duty to have made
this declaration many years ago, but
have been restrained by party consid-
eTations and the honor of my race, and
perhaps as all human nature is selfish,
If these gentlemen had gone on in the
old beaten track, and promoted me to
the position to which l think I am
justly entitled to, I might have been
weak enough to hesitate in testifying
now as to the iniquities of this body,
but l do believe that it is inst and
righteous, might add, providential
interposition on behalf of the true peo-
pie, white and black, Republican and
Democratic in the commonwealth, for
it has produced giant, who Sampson
like in his modern time has laid his
hand upon the pillar and pulled down
that monstrous fabric. When I enter
ed into this thing I did it with my eyes
wide open. counted on, and l be-
lieve l shall have the support of the
white people of this State and the hon
est yeomanry of the black men who
stood by me with fidelity unequaled in
the history of the world.
I know, to-day, thatin the next few
years, perhaps month, the demago-
que and trickster will proclaim from
the house tops and street corners that
"pinchbaek sold out" but in the in
nate honesty of the black mans heart,
and their perception--which faculty
seems to be keener in them than in
any other race-they will recognize the
sincerity of my purpose. | predict
that if the pledges made by Governor
Nichols and Lieutenant Governor
Wilt are carried ont, as I hope and
trust they will be, we will see an era of
peace and prosperity among the COM
mon people of Louisiana such as was
never known before. purpose to 60
out into by-ways, in the public places,
on the hastings everywhere. aud to
proclaim boldly the reasons why have
taken this step, and l think l can rest
securely upon the unbiased judgment
of the American people. l do not pro-
pose to say anything more to-day, Mr..
Chairman. l have had many obstacles
to overcome. My friends, Messrs. De-
mas and Wheeler, both consistent Re-
publlcans, have, in consultation with
myself, carefully concidered the whole
ground, and it took a long and tedious
comparison of the probable effect OF
this movement not only here, but
throughout the country.
1t has been no easy task to get these
gentlemen to come cut as manly as
they have now done. OF course, !
could do nothing without their aid
While hope to receive due praise for
whatever good l have done, l say it all
belongs to my friends, Wheeler and
Demas. They were the men who were
necessary to put into execution this
contemplated reform, and could have
done nothing without them; but in a
few days I will put forward paper in
which | will enumerate events in the
history of the Republican party in
1870, and bring it down to the present
day to the acts which eliminated in
the work of to-day, aud which expect
to leave posterity to pass upon. If it
is not proven in this paper by facts,
the truth of which / shall challenge
contradiction, that 1 have acted the
part of an honest man, l am willing to
go into my grave with all the odium
which should attach to traitor.
Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen of the
Senate, I thank you most candidly for
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