The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1880-01-16
FRANCIS r. NICHOLAS.


Yesterday witnessed the completion OF the
formalitles attendant upon the transfer OF
the reins of government, and to-day Francis
r. Nichols returns to the walks OF private
cltz ,nship Tho adoption Of the new consti-
tuition has abbreviated bis term by ono year.
and the State thus loses his services sooner
than was contemplated at tho time OF
his Installmpnt. Gov. Nichols did not
seek tho Office In the first place. there is
no reason TO SUPPOSE that he retires from
1t with any other than feeling OF
relief and satisfaction. and no is succeeded
by man who Ia equally the choice OF
tho people. Nevertheless 1t Ii Impossible
to take leave Of Gov. Nichols with
ont emotion. Although there have been,
during the last two years and n half, mono OF
those great emergencies which brlug out
man IN sharp definition. and associate him In
mems minds with common peril and COM
mon effort and common destiny, Inc
circumstances under which he took his
seat will always retain q place In tho memory
or the people as one OF the most moment
Gus episodes in our history. Gov. Nichols
himself will stand apart, singled out from the
NTbItN3SLbH vi BiNtlubtS, hAuLp " Dp1S'sa
interest and Significance
II Is not necessary TO rehearse tho events OF
the campaign Of 1876. or the subsequent and
still more stormy period OF conflict ana *
element further than to call attention TO tho
great debt OF honor and gratitude which
Louisiana owes to Gov. Nichols In recognt-
ton OF the calmness, tho courage. the pa
tencs and the prudence he displayed IN
that supreme crisis 81 our fate. To Gov.
Nichols chiefly arc we indebted for our
REDEMPTION We do not forget tho fact
that President Grant held Gov. Nichols in
tho very Highest esteem; that he relied I'M
plleltly upon all his assurances and reposed
Misunderstanding faith In his loyalty aud his
patriotism. We do not forget that In his
awakened contempt for the mon he had been
SO long maintaining In power ana
plumber throughout the South and In his
aroused perception Of the wrongs he had been
sanctioning aud sustaining, no was far from
disposed to continue his relations with them.
Yet every one familiar with the inner history
of that dramatic period knows that, notwith-
standing his regard and respect for Nichols
and his great irritation toward the Republi-
can managers In Louisiana, Grant would not
have hesitated TO coll In the bayonets again
and to invoke all tho harsh md brutal
agencies 80 congenial 10 his Ideas, had
the people been encouraged to make one
false or foolish step threatening tho cause.
then In Suspense. OF the National Republican
party. That this move was not made, and
Grant thereby driven to discard his better
impulses and revive the methods which for
eight years had made him odious In the
South. 10 due entirely to the ilrmness and the
prudence of Gov Nichols. His wise pre-
vision aud restraining influence averted the
disaster that ut any time during those fateful
months was immnent. Ali the intrigue5 and
plots and diplomaces which In that time
crowded tho surface OF affairs dwindle into
their legitimate insgniiicance when contrast
cd with the modest but potent influence that at
once overruled and dwarfed them all. II was
Gov. Nicholas Intelligence and courage that
led us safely through that tremendous epoch.
aud led us into tho sweet refuge OF lasting
and assured security He should not be suf-
fered to return To private life Without this
Distinct and explicit recognition OF the great
debt due him by tho people OF Louisiana.
Although We owe him much for the integrity
and the ability Of his administration since,
that Is rs nothing compared to tho obligation
| under which he has placed as by reason OF
hls splendid address In leading us out OF the
wilderness OF political slavery into the beau-
tiful land flowing with the milk and honey OF
freedom aud peace. No man has ever retired
from such a position with so proud and hon
orabe record. No man has ever achieved a
stronger title to the confidence and affection
and gratitude OF his people