1868 Louisiana's Inaugural Speeches
Lt. Governor Oscar Dunn and Governor Henry Warmouth
If you celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you had a wonderful one.
With many inaugural’s coming up and with subscribers asking about speeches from Oscar Dunn, I went on the hunt for some of his speeches.
I came across both his and the governor’s inaugural speeches in the New York Times.
Before I go into that, I want to remind you that the monthly discussion will be this Saturday, December 7th at 11am(pst). I will send out the link an hour before the meeting. In the new year, I will go back to holding them the last Saturday of the month.
For those that haven’t read my articles about Oscar Dunn, Henry Warmouth and PBS Pinchback, take a look here.
In New Orleans, LA, on Monday, July 13, 1868 Governor Henry Warmouth and Lt. Governor Oscar Dunn were inaugurated into office. Oscar Dunn would later step in as Governor when Warmouth was injured. He was the first Black man to have held such a high office in the United States.
Here are their speeches.
Governor Henry Warmouth’s Inaugural Speech:
Lt. Governor Oscar Dunn’s Inaugural Speech:
Below the speech is the Civil Rights Bill for Louisiana that Oscar Dunn fought hard for to be enacted and enforced during his time in office.
I love reading through newspaper articles during this time period. I’m very grateful that we have what is available to read now.
So, many Black newspapers were destroyed during this time period. Another causality in efforts to erase our history but at least some mainstream newspapers covered our stories.
Until next time, be safe and well.
Best,
Danita