The New Orleans daily Democrat., 1878-07-02
GOV. NICHOLS.
A REPLY TO THE CRITICISMS OF
"AMrCUs CURTE."
From the N. 0. Plcarune.l


against him which have no foundation what
ever In fact and are in effect inaccurate ana
preiudiced presumptions, flowing clearly
from error or malice. The writer endeavors
to bring the Governor and his administration
into contempt by attempting to fasten upon
him all OF the responsibility for the unfortu-
nate condition Of affairs that prevailed In this
State during the first three months OF his In
cumbeney.
It would be essentially out of place to fol-
low the writer through the mass OF reckless
specifications and shameless lnnuendo he has
gathered against Gov. Nichols or to argue
against the narrow and tlimSy partisanship
evinced by his zeal to assault man to whom
the State of Louisiana owes such debt of
gratitude for able and substantial services in
her behalf not beginning yesterday, but run
ming through q lifetime OF patriotic and de-
voted citizenship.
"Amicus CurlB" does not take very en-
lightened view of the circumstances under
which Gov. Nichols accepted the nomination
for the office he now holds, nor does he appear
to be acquainted with the real nature and
meaning of the platform upon which Gov
Nichols stood at Baton Rouge when nomin-
ated, and upon which he was accepted by the
people and elected to Office 1t will be neCes-
sary briefly to consider these, and to judge
whether he has discharged his promises there
made to the people, and administered the
public affairs according to these pledges and
although he has not met with the ap-
probation Of Anxious CuriR, who glories
in being an extremist" nevertheless
he has done well for the party and the
State. Gov. Nichols, on receiving the noml-
nation, said: II enter, gentlemen, into public
life for the first time, and In choosing me you
have chosen one who knows nothing further
as his guide than his sense Of right for all
classes Of the people Of the State" When Il
take my oath as Governor of this State shall
cease to represent the Democratic party and
be the representative of the people, not Of one
set. but the whole | recognize, gentlemen,
each and every obligation incumbent upon me
under the constitutions of the United States
and the amendments thereto, and the consti-
tuition Of the State OF Louisiana and the laws
under them and propose, In so far as 1t is
In my power, to enforce them, without regard
TO HAUf5, UUfI6fS TT PREVIOUS CONDITION
These are correct principles, and have found
their sanction in the true philosophy Of gov
ernment since its institution among men
down to the present time.
Plato, in speaking of those who administer
government, says they should act $50 to take
care of the whole collective body Of the repub-
lie as not to serve the interest of any one par
ty to the prejudice or neglect Of all the rest;
for the government OF @ State is much like the
Office of o guardian or trustee, which should
always be managed for the good Of the pupil
and not the persons to whom he Is intrusted,
and those men who, whilst they take care OF
one, neglect or disregard the other part of the
citizens, do but occasion seditiOn and dis
cord"
"The officer is the officer of the government
which Is for the benefit Of the people, and by
the word people Is signified a whole commun-
ity, including its every Individual"
From the foregoing it Is apparent that Gov
Nichols never promised to be an extremist"
was not nominated on that theory, nor did
he propose to conduct his administration Of
public affairs upon that line. Yet the entire
white people of this State with the exception
Of q few hundred white Republicans, sup
ported Gov. Nichols fully and cordially, and
thousands OF our young men, whom "a Ameri-
Gus CurtT terms extremists, at the time OF
his Inauguration, went with their musketS to
install him as Governor to carry out the pol
Icy he had declared at Baton Rouge, and re-
iterated over the entire State, on every stump,
to enthusiastic audiences, and which policy
now shocks the ''extreme" nerves of "Ameri-
Gus CuriB."
Ancus CuriB next charges that the Gov
ernor sBtbbed the White League, and inti-
mates that their gallant leader resigned his
office for that reason. The following corre-
spondenCe speaks for itself:
TO his FxcelIency f. r. Nichols. Governor of
the State of Louisiana:
Dear Snr-Our honest ambition as citizens
having been attained In the redemption OF the
State and in the triumph of the great princi-
ple for which our fathers fought, the right Of
self-government, and the destinies of our peo-
pie being now securely placed In competent
hands, the sole object of all my hopes and
aims, and my private affairs now urgently
claiming my entire attention, | hereby tender
lana State Militia With assurances Of high
est regard and with heartfelt wishes for the
most complete success of your administra-
tiOn, l have the honor, Governor, to remain,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. N. OGDEN.
GeneraI-I have delayed acting upon your
letter Of the twelfth of May with the hope
that the situation of your private affairs,
which led you to tender the resignation OF an
office which you have Held with so much honor
In fbo fofo t1rh+
change as to justify q reconsideration on that
subject. Such not, however, being the case,
do not feel at liberty to disregard any longer
your expressed wish, and |, therefore, reluc-
family accept your resignation as Major Gen.
eral Of the Louisiana State Militia. II is at
most unnecessary for me TO sag that yoW carry
arith you the regard, confluence, esteem and t0Ue,
IN The highest Degree Of the people Of Louisiana.
With Wishes for your future health and pros
perity, permit me to sign myself, 10ith feelings
of great personal and official consideration,
Very respectfully, your Obedient servant,
+. T. NICHOLS,
Governor of Louisiana.
Again, the Governor was called upon by a
committee representing the White League as
fit person to present Gen. Ogden with q
magnificent sword, the gift of his soldiers. In
his address we will seek to discover some Of
the ILL feeling existing between the Governor
patriots. Is 1t probable, In the first place,
that man who had So steadily and rudely
ignored their services and "snubbed" them
would have been selected to take the princi-
pal part In this significant and impressive
ceremony; If so is there anything in the fol-
lowing words which would In any way justify
the conclusion Of "Amicus CuriB ?" Gov.
Nichols, in speaking of the results Of peace
in the State, said to Gen. Ogden: I'm effect
ing these results you have played an all-im-
.portant part, and passing beyond the mission
with which have been entrusted, desire, as
a citizen representing, believe, the true in
terests of all the people of Louisiana, to pay
a just tribute to the unselfshness, earnest
ness and devotion of yourself and men who
in the darkest hour of her history vindicated
the constitutional rights of her citizens, the
supremacy of the law and the maintenance of
her liberties.
"That you and your comrades may enjoy
each and every one Of you personally a tuit
measure Of the happiness and prosperity 1cttCh
is so much due to yor UdtOr and setf-sGcrUce,
is aud lCiH continue to be the ardent irish Of oil
true LOuisju0idrS.
Those of you who, three years ago. upon
kfhiG dnu uinlIp1 lin their lives