Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1880-06-02
TO THE CITIZENS



out the district will bring me forward - o
candidate for denomination TO the position
TO which was elected In 1878. Isolicis
Jour candid consideration Of ny course In
Congress, aud your friendly aid and sup
port IN renominating and re-electius me.
Twas called by the people Of North Lou
isiana to become their standard bearer at
the blacklist hour Of our history, aud while
all the appliances Of Federal tyranny and
terrorism were in sctive operation against
our people. 1t was the supreme moment
Of our destiny, aud I for one felt willing to
perish, il necessary, in leading . forlorn
hope. You remember through W lat We pass
ed The noble people Of our district proved
equal to the situation. Their courage and
endurance rose above the perib ofthe hour,
and radical d.spo,ism and corruption were
swept frow Louisiana. We were redeemed
and vet free to enter on new career.
| came to Washington il the face Of
threats and conspiraces for ny arrest and
condemnation by the Fedora Government,
and have made smooth q path to be trod-
den by any one whom you may now choose
in your wisdom 10 elect. II another shall
have the good fortune 10 rpfuce me in
your confidence and suffrag.s, he will at
least have the satisfaction OF entering up
on his duties with none TO modest him
You might find such an one who may rep
resent you with greater ability, but no one
who will serve you with greater zeal or
more unselish and thorough devotion to
your interest and honor.
1t has been the usual custom Of the
Democratic party TO re-elect IA new member
who has proven no: unworthy Of the trnst
rrpo-ed in him. To refnse him re-nom-
ination is virtually 10 say that his consti'
tu-nts have found him nnfaitbfnl or incom-
petent. therefore naturally feel an hon
orabl- solictude to secure the endorsement
Of NV conr,r hy the heroic men who first
ca led M" to the front. and who, ut great
IfIlls ff''' NV ~ wy H''H'' W I''T'''"'
Have been rrcreant to my tristf l
challenge inquiry. NY heart has been sin
gle in it's devotion to ynur welfare. Have
proved incompetent - the duties devolv-
ed npon mci | offer the record of my ser
vices rs arePly.
The first duty which devolved upon me
was to secure recognition Of our right To he
represented in Congress hf The voice of
the people. and not by the mandate Of the
Federal Government. enforced hy hayonets.
II was more than a uooted question, wheth-
er this would I've permitted. lido not claim
freeing you from bondage, but at least I
had the honor of being one Of few, who
were selected for destruction by the un-
scrupnlons minions of radicalism, faced the
danger, and by means of the extra session
and the firmness Of nur Northern Democratic
friends, have survived the peril of the hour.
To-day my seat is ~ s~nre as that Of any
New England Republican, and my voice
will be ~ potent in determining the results
Of the Electoral College when they shall
come before Congress do not believe
my own people, with whom have strug-
gled and suffered. will at this time cast me
aside.
Ny time has been largely spent in sccur
ing for my district those material advan-
tages which il 40 sadly needed and which
had hitherto been denied it. believe the
appropriations obtained TO give rs mail
facilities, to open the paths Of commerce,
to prevent epidemic diseases, and to place
ia on the high road to renewed prospect.
ty. will be found adequate to any reasona,
BILE expectation in the present condition OF
public affairs.
have had the honor To serve on some
important committee. and to perform my
part in deliberations Of great Importance,
in a national, as well az a sectional point
OF view; and trust that neither dctrinent
nor discredit will result to the Republic or
my State from any opinion, argument, or
act ofmine.
The experience which have gained
amidst some personal embarrassment and
harasing cares, and which trust will not
he thrown away. would have to be acauir-
ed hy any successor Of mine. at most crit.
zeal period Of our history. Ther~ is no roy.
al road to knowledge, and the wisrst Of
your sons wonld have to serve his novitiate
in Congress ike the rest Of rs. II is Easy
in an asprant to indulge in large cxpccta-
tions, aud Ia make stupendous promises OF
what he will achieve-but the performance
is more difficult Two years ago il would