Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1882-07-19

ont for myself Was IA follows. The
first thing was TO get that seat and
hold it. This, as l have said, | have
done. The second point WAS with.
ont forfeiting the inaiienabie right
Of local self government, to secure
every possible, material advantage
for my State and district. ln doing
this, have tried, without forfeiting
my right to independent Judgment,
to act with the wisest and most
faithful Of our Southern representa-.
tives. The result has proved, | am
confident, that tho interests of my
constituents have been we'll served.
To recapitulate 10 detail my Ia.
bOrs here would be a long story.
My worst enemy will hardly charge
that / have been Indifferent in the
smallest matter that concerned my
commitments. Indeed, fault has
been found with me for an energy,
which has been termed restless and
n pertinacity which some may
have found tireeome. IN the pursuit
Of objects involving the welfare Of
Louisiana. These;objects we're pub
lie, not personal, in character. The
liberation Of our people from unjust
and oppressive, political laws, and
their representation in Congress-, a.
a right, not a favor; the political
equality OF Louisiana 90 hong denied
with each and every common wealth
in the Union; the establishment Of
courts Of justice; the improvement
Of our waterways; the rectiHcation
and increase of our postal facilities;
the prevention Of the introduction
and spread of yellow fever, and the
improvement of tue Mississippi Riv-
er; these were my aims. l am very
far from setting up q claim to be
the leader in the mighty scheme
which is to curb the waters OF the
Great River; give ease, safety, and
Development TO the commerce which
is borne upon it's bosom; control
the foods which devastate the
peaceful homes on it's banks and
bordering low lands, and make it,
in fact, Tan inland sea" for the pur.
l,o@s of commerce, but an INLAND
sea subject TO the control of man
and obedient to his intelligent de.
crres. ! have no desire to arrogate
TO myself any such position; but
my colleagues and all CO workers IN
this grand and bene6ceDt design
will accord to Inc that it had no
warmer, more nntiring friend and
lalWrer than your representative.
When | entered Congress, the sue.
cess of this work seemed AZ remote
az gathering pine apples in Alaska.
TO day the wedge is in the cleft and
driven home. The work is begun.
The accomplishment is assured. /
can proudly say | helped to do it.
One browning benefit, which
will result from the improve
ment Of the Mississippi Riv.
er, is that it will forever ban.
ish the dread of such flood m
this season wrought-woe and dis
aster-over so wide an extent of
country, desolating bappy homes
aud bringing an industrious, labor.
ing population face TO face with
starvation. Our people, white aud
colored alike, will long, gratefully,
remember how promptly and EN-,
ciently the hand Of Christian
charity and sympathy was extended
to them from every quarter and
section, by the President Of the
United States and the Secretary Of
War in their official capacities; By
the State authorities, and the Re.
list Commissioners acting under
them; and notably in the 6,h Con.
gressional District, BY General 2.
York's well.o organized labors; by
aid societies; and BY the generous