The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1859-01-15
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A few weeks apo
lin regard to the rea,a,,. !,
zens from the j. of
promised in q 1ut1re i, i, e.

4 -'tote tthAuOSA 3NAasNNE1w 49,
subject again r;sh a view ofEezs
legislatss decisive action on tn'sln
portant To-day we make good OF
promise and as our Legislature Will soon co
vene, We know Of no subject that will clai
their attention during the session, which shou'
demand earlier consideration. We hope to $
the talented member from Bienville parish
Mr.. Gray, direct the powers Of his massive !
~teliect, end his overwhelming eloguence I'd
agitation Of this subject before the lesisb
! hat the large and increasing nnmf
tfee negroes in onr State, is a subject q
Importance as 70 require the special af
and consideration Of our legal anthorit.
Lawmakers, no one in - the exercig
rational faculties can deny.
II IS not here necessary to 60 into
Of The many great evils resulG sdfom fife
cumulation Of this class Of Sons, orsta he
precisely the arguments ..hich shoisdeAcduce
an intelligent community to act own
safety and protection. This is work Q
the legislator, and we hope thai duty wil
be discharged efficiently during sesss
close eli hand.
Almost every Shareholder knows for it i
constantly seen, that the very cxiste fof fire,
negroes among our population a delete
rlous influence, even where ths ! ordinaril,
quiet and well behaved. Y
But unfortunately they are not a cla2
this character. They are with q few
lions worthless, ildolent, hanging like !
Ger, upon the community nuisance Ca
as to be seriously felt and acknowleds " al
good citizens. Their example to our slave
population, with whom they do and will asso.
clate, 50 long us they are permitted to remain
among US has been, is yet, and will continue to
be followed by consequences, the extent aud
evil Of which We can not foresee.
The spirit Of dissatisfaction and insubordi.
nation which this association eugenders in The
breast Of the slave, produces an effect unon
nm known to, and experienced by almost
every slave-holder.| Is it not manifest to every
Shareholder in the midst Of a free negro NOM.
latlon, that slaves are more insubordipate and
less disposed to render valuable service to their
masters than they were some eight or ten years
ago? What canse has been more prolific of
ms state OF things, than the evil now com
Of?
Does it not become Us, then as wise and
prudent people, to take some steps by which
We may rid the community Of this great and
growing cancer upon IFS vitals
1t would indeed be an anomalous govern.
nent that had not the power to protect itself
lgainst q dangerous and increasing element in
Is midst, threatening the destruction of its
It's property, and perhaps life itself.
The work Of reformation should commence
onewhere and by somebody.
Other States and communities ore NAL inn
forts to get rid of free negroes within their
Texas has adopted some very s~trip-
regulations to free herself of this %popu]a-
ION. Virginia is perfecting a plan 10 cure
his evil.
The people Of Tennessee are likewise moving
Their primary meetings to induce the legisIa-
ire to act in this matter. ..
Mlsslsslppl is also giving an impetus to the
oil 81 reformation on this subject.
In South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama n
&c negro is almost a nonentity. For as fast
they accumulate to a suspicious extent, thew
g forced to leave the State in double.ouik
And shall Louisiana remain an idle speeta-
= 10 this great work Of safety aud reforma-
and make no move in selfdefence. tn ,uph
.perienelng the effects of this curse upon he, :
'pu|ation? I,
we think not, VIC hope not, the time for Z
'weFfli&, emerge c, efficient actiou has arrived,
d our legislature should act at once, for there
no duty which the members could discharge :
the coming session that would elicit in
terms the appreciation of their consli- t
ehss throughout the State. More anon. G
Z