The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1859-07-16
AN7zFREE NEGRO MOVEMENTS.

throughout the Southern States, and in SON
, instances in the Northern, against this popul,
tion7their absolute removal from the conntr,,
restraints upon their present liberties, and
general condemnation of their position in, an
influence upon society among us.
These signs can not be mistaken, they mea
something or they mean nothing. The peopl
do not act in such harmonious movements I
no purpose, they are not likely to complain {
an evil without sufficient cause, they feel an
know from sad experience, at least in tn
Southern States, that this evil is an aggravate
and growing one, and unless speedy and d.
cisive measures are inaugurated for its extel
mination, consequences the most blightiDg an
destructive will be fastened upon society, on
institutions and the fatuC progress and pros
poets Of the country.
The abolitionists OF the North and Yves
who preach SO much about human rights
make so many professions Of regard and phi
lanthropy for an equality Of the races,-al
amelioration of the condition of the slave, ar
crying out themselves against the evils of FIRE,
negroism in their midst. "A convention wa.
held in NewYork last July for the pupose o
inviting the free negroes in the State TO leav,
voluntarily for some section where they coule
enjoy more liberty than was given them in thu
State Of NewYork-if this remedy fails the
next step will be to drive them array.
In Vermonth.a similar feeling Of hostility
has been shown towards them. There are bu,
7ls in this State, yet a leading Journal in the
State asserts that " they hang like a milestone
around the neck of industrial progress IN
Termont!"
In Massachusetts. the free negroes are form.
ing voluntary associations to emigrate and
escape the restraints imposed upon them by
abolition philanthropy. The free Western
States are also taking high grounds against
the free negro element, and curtailing The liber.
ties heretofore extended to them.
Ohio has incorporated into her statute book
. law prohibiting any man having the least
TENT of negro blood in his veins, from exer-
cising the right Of suffrage. Indiana will not
allow . free negro to give testimony in her
courts, and Michigan will not allow one to
vote, even if he possess the requisite property
qualification. These demonstrations against
this class Of population by their pretended
are indeed ominous, and presage a
storm of Indignation in the popular. mind
which will ere long sweep every yestige Of free
negroism from the country.
What have been the movements in the
South, where this evil principally exists !? The
State OF Arkansas last winter enacted a law
that no free negro shall remain 10 the State
u months from the passage of the law.
They either go into voluntary slavery or must
positively leave the State. This measure ap-
pears harsh, but desperate diseases require des-
perate and powerful remedies. A similar law
before the legislature Of Mississippi last
It passed the house but was lost in
he Senate for want Of time. 1t will no doubt
passed at the next session of the legislature.
The free negro question was before the legisla-
of Virginia at its last session. This
State proposes to enslave them absolutely.
There is already o law in existence in vir-
,inia for their voluntary enslavement, and
many Of them are availing themselves of its
provisions. The State of Louisiana is awaken
ing to action on this question. At the last
'ession Of the legislature many of the privileges
heretofore granted to free negroes in the State
we're cut off, and the question will no doubt be
pressed Of every subsequent meeting of her
legislators, until the evil complained of is alb
removed from her borders.
We have therefore presented this subject to
'ur readers in many Of its aspects upon socie-
y. We intend to keep it fefore the people.
the Press Of Louisiana tould speak out
generally upon this I,aestion, results
would follow more auspiciu6s for the voluntary
emoval Of this class Of population from our
midst.
The force and truth of the following quota
which we give from a report made to the
Negro Convention lately assembled
n Baltimore, M. D., by Mr.. jacobs, will not
to be appreciated by our citizens where
rec negro labor and white labor come into
competition either in the mechanic arts, agri-
'ulture or the mercantile business:
Here are free white citizens on the one
,and with all the cares, duties, and RESPONSE.
,ilities Of citizenship resting upon them on
he other hand is a set Of irresponsible %popnla-
ion, with no civil Status, no cares, duties or