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December 10, 2003
Michael Hahn: steady patriot By Allen Lottinger, Jr. On Friday afternoon, the opening ceremony of the George Michael Hahn Exhibit was held at the courthouse. Hahn was the first governor of Louisiana after the Civil War. He was also the founder of the town of Hahnville and of the St. Charles Herald. Parish officials, residents and relatives of Hahn attended the ceremony. Parish President Albert Laque expressed his hope that the exhibit, which is located on the first floor at the courthouse, will be the first step in giving Hahn the recognition that he deserves for progress in Louisiana. Several other officials also offered their thoughts for a man who was ahead of his time. “Although some disagreed with him, he still had their respect,” said Council Chairman Lance Marino. “He was a man of integrity, honor and principles,” said School Board Member Alfred Green. “He also believed in education for everyone.” St. Charles Historical Foundation President Marilyn Richoux noted that Hahn was “a man for all seasons.” The foundation co-sponsored the exhibit along with the parish government. Former La. Supreme Court Justice Harry Lemmon and his wife, Judge Maryanne Lemmon, were the masters of ceremony for the event. The Lemmons are residents of Luling. “Perhaps he will soon be recognized nationally as an early civil rights leader,” said Lemmon, who noted that as a resident of St. Charles for 51 years, he had never learned the full story of Hahn’s life. “He was a man ahead of his time.” Also attending were historians Amos E. Simpson and Vaughan Burdin Baker who are both professors of history at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The husband and wife team recently completed a study on the life of Michael Hahn entitled “Michael Hahn: Steady Patriot.” “Hahn was one of Louisiana’s best governors,” said Simpson. “He richly deserved recognition far more than he has received.” “He was one of the earliest committed individuals to civil rights for African Americans, which was not a popular stance at the time,” added Baker. The two historians presented the results of their intense research on the life of a man who they believe should be remembered as a civil rights pioneer. During his political life and as a publisher of newspapers, Hahn promoted ideas which eventually led to the emancipation of slaves in Louisiana. He also promoted measures which would give the former slaves access to education and political representation, something violently opposed by many in the state during that time. “The new constitution, drawn under Hahn’s active direction, was a liberal document which not only abolished slavery and provided for the eventual enfranchisement of blacks, but also revised the basis of representation exactly as Hahn had wished,” wrote the historians. “It opened the public schools to every child, black and white, between the ages of six and eighteen; provided for a progressive income tax; and established minimum wage and a nine-hour working day.” Though a moderate during most of his life, taking the middle road on social change in the state, in 1866, faced with attempts by some to reinstate slavery, Hahn felt that the only way to remedy the situation was to give blacks the right to vote immediately. “By 1866 Hahn actively supported immediate black suffrage, a measure he had formerly opposed,” said the study. “At the Mechanics Institute in New Orleans in 1866 his “inflammatory” speeches urging enfranchisement of the blacks led a violent mob to attack him. He received a wound in the leg which troubled him the rest of his life.” After the presentation, a recently completed oil painting of Hahn was unveiled. The picture will accompany the exhibit of various memorabilia at the courthouse. Local artist Lorraine Gendron, an admirer of Hahns, donated a life-sized bust which she sculpted for the exhibit. Also on display are early editions of newspapers founded by Hahn and letters from his early life. The exhibit is in the courthouse lobby and is open to the public free of charge during courthouse hours. Allen Lottinger, Jr. can be reached at AllenL@heraldguide.com or at 758-2795, ext. 224.
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