The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-10-31


cution Of the coloIed people.
There Is not On Intelligent political editor
Ia the North who does not know this to be
untrue for Mr.. Witt has been In public life
many years, and his actions and utterances
have been frequently the subject OF discussion
throughout the country.
BY no act Of his life, by no spoken or written
word, has he ever given cause for such q state
ment, but has always been recognized as
kind and consistent friend Of the colored race,
thousands Of whom in appreciation Tor his
sympathy and services In their behalf will
assuredly vote for him In the coming election
A complete refutation OF this Islander is the
following letter Of acceptance, written BY
MIR. Witt in 1874, when he was Mayor OF New
Orleans and was rendered the nomination for
the Legislature from the ninth ward:
Gentlemen-Your letter Of October Il. tender
Ing to me TIE position Of Democratic; Conserva-
district in place Of J. G. Sporl. ESQ. your late
nominee. who declines acceptance. has been
duly considered. have avaied myself OF your
kind permission to reflect upon the matter ma
turely and at my leisure.
Having already been before the convention of
which you are men bers, as q candidate for tho
mayoraty. was Of the opinion that might
manifest too eager q wish for public honors II
would accept u nomination for mother position
from you, who are q part OF the same body
This scruple Of delicacy has been overthrown
by the complimentary terms In which your
nomination is offered. and By the cordial man
resent. have seconded your offer and urged my
acceptance. I accede. therefore. to your re-
quest and to what seems 70 pc q very general
desire OF the voters OF the Ninth Representative
District.
/ accept this nomination all the more willing
y because belieye ,hat ean be usefu r. re
promoting the Interests Of New Orleans and
patriotic efforts to bring ABOUT o better under
standing on political issues between our white
and eolored fellow citizens than at present OK
to secure the execution OF the law throughout
the State: because can assist in purRing our
statute books Of the bad enactmehts which now
disgrace Them as well as In preventing the
passage OF others OF the like because can
unite with all the good and fall. minded mem
bers Of the House and all parties to oppose
what Ia beneficial and right: because can. as
member Of the General Assembly. assist ma
terially III restoring to that body the respect
State: because can In that position assist In
preserving our beloved but unfortunate city
ana state In their true light and attitude before
the conservative masses OF the American peo-
pie and before their representatives In Con
gress. and because can unite with all patriotic
members In showing that the people OF Loufs1-
ana, If left free from external Influences are
willing TO respect and able to maintain the legal
and political rights OF her citizens Of all races
have always been q Democrat as is we'll
known to you. AS such. an nominated for a
erai Assembly. As legislator. shall endeayor
to manifest the conservative spirit which has
heretofore acuated me Ia the Legislature OF
1863 and In other official positions. La no
event shall I suffer pure partisan feeling to
bias my action or lead me from the plain path
Of oiflcial duty.
grateful consideration for the generous conf
dence Of my felloW-clt1zens.
remain yours. etc.,
LOUIS A. WILT.
The convictions Of duty enunciated In that
letter have been steadily maintained by our
candidate in every position which he has ever
held In the Legislature OF 1868, In the mayor
atty of New Orleans from 1872 to 1874, In the
Legislature from 1876 to 1878, and as the pre-
siding officer OF the constitutional convention.
In all VI those positions his fairness, impair
TALLY and conservatism was recognized and
acknowledged by AIRY Republican with
whom he was brought into contact. The Re-
publican ISLANDERS Of Gov. Witt can best be
refuted, however, out OF the mouths Of the
leading Republican colored men In this State,
men who sat in the late constitutional con-
vention, and whose expressions were evidently
the utterances Of their heartfelt and warm
appreciation and admiration Of the president:
Deleg ate Landry on the part of the Republi-
can majority introduced the following resolu-
complimentary to the president of the conven-
ton and to the members Of the minority:
Resoued. That the sincere thanks Of this
convention are eminently due. and are cheer
fully given to Hon. Louis a. Witt. president Of
this body. for the transcendent ability and i'm
partially Wh whh ne d aag performed his du
"Resolued, That the remarkable correctness
and commendable rAbidity Of all his decisions
lions and points have materially facilitated the
deliberations of this body. and are entitled TO
the highest encomiums.
ability. uniform courtesy. blended with necass
sary tirmness. our worthy president Is justly
entitled to the thanks Of the whole State
Delegate Demas urged the adoption Of the
resolution. He congratulated the convention
upon the manner in which the work Of the ses-
sion had been performed. He had been agree
ably disappointed In the manner In which his
party had been trt atei on the floor. The ut.
most courtesy and fairness had been accorded
70 them ny tne ma1oTey Not only nah TINS been
stitution had been adopted which contained
more guarantees to, his people and was juster
The utmost liherality had been shown by the
convention itself. and the greatest fairness and
impartiality bad been Displayed by the pre;i-
nominating President Witt for the office Of
Governor. 1t would be found that the speakers
people would, show their appreciation Of his
votes. He proposed the following addition to
the resolution:
.sResolred further. That copy Of the forego-
ing, duly engrossed by the secretary OF the con
vention. be handed to our worthy presiding off,
cer''
and the amendment thereto. When the con-
yention was called he had predicted Just the
ings. In one respect, however. the result had
exceeded his expectations. He had thought
that poll tax qualification would be imposed.
cay that this would have been Objectionable;
but when 1t was discovered that the Republi.
cans were opposed to such 9 restriction, TIE 70,
views. While he had not feared for the result.
the mass of the Republicans in the State had
dismay. fearing that 1t would deprive them Of
many Of the privileges, they now enjoy. This