The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-07-19
The Rail 0pened.

print in to-days paper the correspondence between
Thos j. Durant, president Of the universal suffrage
committee" and his excellency Gov. Wells, in which
the subject discussed is universal suffrage, without re-
gard to birth or color This radical doctrine which had
its birth in that bot-bed oil fanatiesm New England
has taken root in our own so-and under the leader
ship of that arch demagogue Thos. J. Durant, they
have unfurled their banners, and made the onset
There is doubt to their purposes or designs
They viii stop at nothing short of political and
social equality for the negro. Everything that stands
IN the way Of the accomplishment OF this ultimatum
will be run over whether be the constitution, State
rights social preiudces the superiority Of the race
To this complexion it has come last" They appear
to be utterly indifferent to the true condition OF the
negro. who by the sudden transition from slavery TO
freedom-from plenty to want are dying by thousands
from starvation and exposure but insist upon his being
accorded every political right Of the white man. though
his ignorance alone utterly units him to be trusted
with the ballot 1t seems these agtators of no con-
sequence if the wretched freedmen and their families
are starving, as the ballot will put end to his mis-
cry and hasten the time to which he can aspire 10 the
first political positions in the land.
The executive very cody and distinctly gives these
agitators to understand that he cannot comply with
their request; and we unhesatingy say that lie will
be sustained by all loyal Louisianians
On this correspondence the True Delta pertinently
remarks, thpt it is really unlike, particularly that
portion emauating from the central executive COM
mttee, and will undoubtedly be preserved in remem-
brance for long time to come The committee
odestlv ask the governor to extend the eres'e Fl
,.so - -. .o inhabitants Of the State, without dis
tinction of origin or color. They very conveniently
forget that this would only be contrary to the laws
Of the country but that it is Numerically opposed to
the wise aud patriotic policy announced by president
Johnson The Committee then, after assuming that
the governor does not hold Office WELD power by
authority of formal organic law admit that he enjoys
and exercises BOTH which they agree is sufficient for
their purpose, and ask him, under the discretionary
powers they acknowledge he is invested WITH to ORDER
before any State o. congressional elections shall take
place, that complete regia~-ation shall be made in
every parish of the State Of all o,l citizens without
distinction Of race or origin, who have fded twelve
months in Louisiana
IF Gov Wells should do this he would not only
violate his oath Of Office the laws Of the United States
the letter and spirit of the procamatons of the pres
dent but he would incur the dispeasure of the better
class Of our citizens and would deserve instant removal
from the position he now holds the duties of which
we believe he is eonscentiousy striving to discharge
faithfully and honestly. The laws Of the United States
prescribe the qualifications of voters for members Of
congress. The committee would have Gov. Wells
override those laws The laws Of Louisiana declare
that there shall be registration of voters in but
parish-the parish Of Orleans The committee would
har fhn a l,yU in
parish President johnson clearly and explicitly de-
clares in his proclamation providing for the return Of N
Carolina Mississippi etc, to the Union that the quail
icatons Of voters shall be precisely the they
prior to the passage Of the ordinance Of secession
in those States, subject only to the restrictions pre-
scrbed in his proclamation of the goth Of May 1865
The committee wonld have the governor institute
new rule in Louisiana-would have him tramplc under
foot both State and national laws would have him break
loose from every moral restraint and legal obligation
would have him ignore the power of the president and
spit upon his official acts and would have him intro.
duce the ballobox the loyal element Of the black
race when there is not statute, proclamation, an
official order well-grounded reason either in sound
philosophy, wise political enonomy or good morals to
warrant him in doing so.
Really, the assurance Of the Committee is wonderful
and their sanity might be doubted, were not that
they exhibit some little method in their Madness But
not much. Those who are now Iaborng under the |
affection of niger the BRAIN if they carry their
point and negro suffrage should be made the order Of
the day hereafter will fud their discontinue that
nineteen out of twenty of the negroes of the south
will vote just their former and present and
future employers tell them to vote. The negro is not
a fool He knows the difference between those who
are eternay dnaing freedom into his ears but never
give him anything to eat wear and those who have
provided for him in years gone by, and who now, while
opposed to his further enranchisement for the present
for the most part give him employment which enables
him to provide himself and family with food and |
clothing"
49, n I:.... /