West Feliciana sentinel. (St. Francisville, La.) 1876-1877, 1877-01-20
PINCHBACK AND BREAUX.

lore Tue NICHOLS OendI0s
Mr.. PREsIDENT-I am here to-
day with the honest conviction, AT.
ter mature elaboration, that my
duty to those who have elected me
by their suffrage-the material
welfare of my native State-and
the very oath Of Office I have taken
to represent my people. sternly
necessitated that should take my
seat in this body.
I sincerely believe that the in
telest Of all classes and races of
citizens of this State will be best
subserved by the firm establishment
of this government because it rep
resents more truly the will and
sentiment of the people Of Louisi-
ana.
The tabulated returns of the
votes actually cast in the State
show conclusively tie election of
Nichols, and a Conservative ma
jjority in both branches of the Cen
eral Assembly.
It would not become me to COW
err with vituperation that body that
I have just left. But as it is now
constituted, and with its fierce
partisan spirit in the ascendency,
I considered, sir, that it would
have been a wanton violation of
my duty as an honest and con-
sciencious representative Of the peo-
pie, we're l to continue to act in con-
cert with it any longer.
In doing this, I feel as if I acted
in accordance with the wishes and
true interest of my constituents
Elected two years ago by COM
bined majority of the Republican
votes of the parishes of Pointe Cou.
pee and West Feliciana, together
with almost the entire Conserva
tive vote of East Feliciana parish,
I have served as a Republican in
the two preceding sessions OF the
Legislature, and during that time
I have to the best of my humble
abilities, endeavored to promote
the welfare of my constituents.
1t is useless to say little or noth-
ng was accomplished towards
this end. But, on the contrary, I
had the modification of sitting
help)essly in my seat and witness
ing hostile Legislature (or part
of a Legislature purporting to be
the representatives of this State)
Influenced by a bitter and relentless
partisan hate on the one hand, and
on the other the enacting of spo]ia
tory statutes, more commensurate
with the doings of the semi bar
barians Of the Mexican States than
should be the action of the Legis-
lature of what was once the proud
est ornament in the galaxy OF
States in the American Union.
A few worus more and I am
done. More than satisfied I shall
be if my humble services shall con.
tribute to redeem poor Louisiana
by assisting to secure sound and
stable government, that will pro-
tect and cherish in their rights,
lives and property, the merchant
prince and the poor man in his
lowly cabin alike, regardless of race
and condition.
I consider it not Utopian to say,
that with the recognition of this
government, and with Gov. Nich-
oils as the executive, we shall yet
see the Pelican State regain her
pristine prosperity, with good will
and confidence reigning supreme.
Senator Breaux was applauded
| repeatedly during his remarks and
| when he concluded, the President,
Mr.. Wilt, addressing Senator
Breaux, said I'm the name of all
of the Senators here elected by the
people, l thank you for the step
you have taken. You will 6n6 in
this body gentlemen who have
nothing more at heart than the
true interests Of the people of the
State. I again thank you in their
name and in the name of the people
of the State"
MR.. PINCHBACKs SPEECH.
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of
the Senate of the State of Louisiana
[ am not unmindful OF the respon.
sibility which attaches to the action
of myself and the gentlemen who
have entered your body to-day,
but beg to assure YOU, and to as