New Iberia enterprise and independent observer., 1907-09-28
BROUSSARD'S SPEECH.

hnt from pvprA parish III the State
urged me to become candidate fol
the office OF Governor. This re
quest struck a responsive cord anC
net in me with a willing acquies
cence, since 1t encouraged a life
long ambition.
81 returned to Louisiana afte,
the adjournment of the Fifty-nin
Congress fully determined, ambiti
Gus aud even auxious to enter tb,
lists for the g.vernOrship of my
native State. No sooner had
reached here than my friends who
had been most insiStent in my can
didacy for that high office, express
ed regret that contemplated retir
ing from Congress. This senti.
lnent was so pronounced that
concluded to canvass my district,
with view of determining the
sentiment of the pPople--a natural
proceeding with me, whatever
others may think of it. | reasoned
that man who had been bonored
as | had been by a devoted cousti-
tuency, owed it to himself and to
them that they be consulted. This
canvass Of my district revealed a
practically unanimous desire that
should continue in Congress. Tie
reasons assigned were that | had
inaugurated many valuable public
enterprises which would lag with
If they were not entirely lost by my
retirement from Congress, and
there were many matters pending
IN Congress which would prove
ruinous to their interests, and
which could not be warded off by
a new man in my place, no
matter how otherwise able, who,
lacked, as he necessarily must, that
knowledge of the situation, chat
acquaintance with the membership
of the house, and that experience
with legislation, all of which had
been the fruition Of my long SER
vice in Congress.
eff | had a heart, sentiments OF
appreciation, devoted and patriotic
impulses, all consideration of 81 Il
should be eliminated. No sacrifice
of personal ambition was too great
for me to make for such a people
a people, who, in spite of my many
faults, had again and again elected
me to represent them in the great
est deliberative body in the world
"The argument con vinced me
that my ambition travelled in one
direction, ard the Interests of my
ttullp tra,.h 4 ~ puull, Thy
people s Interest vast it'ef to the
first considerations.
"My canvass ended, | reiarned
home sad of heart over the disap,
pointment It a long cherished am,
bllion. but determined that duty
alone Was worthy of consideration
and that my highest recompenst
would be the consciousness Of hav
ing properly performed that duty
Without regret, / confess that dis
appointment, even now. My
course met with editorial endorse.
ment by the daily press of New
Orleans. and the unbiased weeklies
pf the State, but not so with certain
little papers edited by certain small
meu. These called loudly that
take a position, with jibes and
jeers, they began at once to explore
what they were pleased to term my
apnlilical cowardice. With them
there was, mo neutral ground, and
by singular coincidence, and with
Que accord, these papers supported
the same candidate for Governor
at was plainly apparent to me
that a course of inactivity, unde,
the circumstances, could satisfy
only the weakling, and could not
be pursued by any man worthy Of
the name.
IA careful study Of the situation
easily convinced me that the best
interestst of our State demanded
that | support Mr.. Wilkinson, aud
with the equanimity and without
the slightest hesitaucy | have taker
my stand.
"At once, the same small papers,
edited bv the same small men who
had SO recently challenged me to
take position, ponnced upon me
indignant at my conclusion. The,
proposed to force me into posi-
tion, but insisted that | le. then
do my thinking for me; my sup
port was desired, but my opposi
tod was intolerant.
"My friends, it was not my faul
that my mild sorked on broader
scope thau theirs. Their mouth
IL. s.lsm.ss.n. 49,. h....