The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1867-10-12

Let the negroes remember that though their
white leaders tiatter them with the IDEA that
they outnunber the white people ot ST. Mary,
the whites in the State of Louisiana outpumber
the negroes. Let them remember that New
Orleans is almost mt our door, connected with
our parish by railroad and telegraph, ana In the =
healthy season that city contains two hundred
Thousand white inhabitants to but seventy thoa'
sand negroes. Let them beware how, under the
influence of vile and hypocritical leaders, they
brandish their shot-guns, clubs and weapons IN
the faces OF white people! Let them beware now
they abuse a liberty which has been suddenly
thrust upon them, and disgust their iflehus az
the North, who have only studied their vntues'
Iand never learned their weaknesses.
Ii the negroes are foolish enough to listen 10
evil minded advisers ard cultivate hatred 1"r
the white man--if they think they eau erowo
the white man from this soil, and get any lasting
advantage of hm-it they think that three or
four years freedom has given them education,
intellect or sagacity to cope with the White man,
they are simply on the wrong track, anu oeioEe
many years they will find that they nave beeh
digging their own graves, and white men, lnelti-
ding multtudes of those who are now Radicals,
will bury them as a race.
In the United States there are about eight
white men to one negro. Or We think the pro
portion even larger There are doubtless thirty
millions of white men, and about three millions
of negroes. Even in the Southern States we
have nearly two white men to one negro. The
negro and white votes are NO index to the hght-
ing strength of the two races.
We speak plainly upon this matter, thinking
it high time to speak out. The white element
OF this parish have been silent and passive long
enough. A public meeting skoutt at once ne
called, and these inceudiary leaders sieuouuced
and warned. Ii we have any law III st. Mary,
and if white felix's have any protection against
seuition aud violence, let us enforce 1t. If we
have no protection at home, let us address the
Governor and the commanding general an this
subject. ii neither our laws. nor the Governor,
nor The commanding general can Afford Us pro-
lection, We should arm ourselves, and appeal to
the first law of natGre, which Is seit-ptesefTa-
ti0n.
If "reheIs' were to meet thus armed In time
of profound peace and bind themselves by secret
oaths, picket their club rooms, throw out threats
of violence to a minority for merely attempting
to vote as they desire 10, what would the kepuo-
lcan press Of the North say Is this loyalty !
Does this hook like expressing ihion men! Is
this the machinery to be used in restoring the
Union We call upon candid and honest men IN
al sections OF the South and the North TO answer
these questions.
Since writing the above our community feels
great relief in perusilg the order OF Gen. Mower,
dated New Orleans, Sept. 10, suppresslDg the
seditieus proceedings OF these Radical Clubs
throughout the state. Every lawloviug and
Well disposed man and woman il this State will
cordially thank him tor that order. We begin 10
feel that order, law and justice may yet prevail
over the vile teachings OF the enemies of hoerty
and law.