New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-04-12
From the New Orleans Advocate
The Black Crook.

enemies must be taught that we believe
in Congress, and the ratification of the
constitution will be glorious ap-
prevail of a Congress which has stood
firmly by the loyal men of the South.
And it will be no less an approval of
the impeachment of Andrew johnson.
Thus the influence of the loyal vote
of Louisiana will be felt outside of her
own borders ard tell nightly upon
the national Legislation. Our enemies
are zealously at work to defeat our
new constitution. They know that if
it is adopted it will be their tomb
stone, but our guide-board, pointing
US onward in the path of truth, wealth,
and glory. They call it the BLACK
Crook Constitution" And why !
What is the meaning of the word
Crook % Does it not mean a shep-
herds staff with which he drives off the
devouring wolves which come to de-
stroy him and his poor little lambs !
And why do they call it q Black
Crook Because it staff of defense
aud protection in the hands of BLACK
MEN by which they can drive off the
old devouring Democratic wolves and
secession hyenas who still haunt the
black man IS home to kill him and his
children. But, black man, take this
crook and defend yourself! 1t is at
once your sword and shield. Armed
with it you are more than match for
all your foes. Invested with the
rights it offers you will be strong to
vindieate yourselves in the years to
come.
Already our enemies are appealing
to the baser passions of the poor
whites on the one hand, and to the
equally base passions of the aristo-
cratic whites on the other. They tell
the poor white Iaborer that
if this constitution is adopted it
will be the degradation of white labor
in Louisiana. But what do these men
care about the dignity or degradation
of laborl Have they not always de-
graded itl Have they not always
despised the poor man who was
doomed to toll, whether he was
white or blackl But the new consti-
tntion makes labor honorable, and
gives the poor man chance TO rise in
the world. Let US ask the poor white
man-What have you ever received
from the white aristocrats who are
now opposing the new constitution
Did not they keep you in ignorance
and keep you poor 4! But we declare
to you that this is the "Laborers' Con-
stitution, and every poor white man
in Louisiana should vote for its ratif-
cation.
Our enemies are now appealing to
the coffeehouse keepers, and affirming
that this "Black Crook" will break up
their business by permitting the
blacks to enter their places. But we
don't believe this. And why ! Be-
cause our enemies like whisky too
well to be kept away from a coffee
house bar because a black man oeea-
sionally patrOnizes the same saloon.
Nothing viii break up the coffee
houses but the death of the present
loyal-hating and whisky drinking gen.
Grafton of Southern chivalry. And it
is SANDER on the constitution that IL
permits intrusion into citizens pri-
vate business. No sensible man can
believe it.
Our enemies ask, "Do you want tc
be forced to send your children tc
school with negroes!" What impu
denee is this from men who sucked the
milk of life from the breast of some OLD
black nanny, and who in their child
hood cut all sorts of " shindies with the
little niggers." Are these mer
ashamed Of their bringing up and o
their old playmates that they now war;
the whites against the " Blacl
Crook I" We have no idea tina
the blacks win prefer to sent
their children to mixed schools. TIL,
danger is that the black children won
90 with the white children, and tina
the city viii be compelled to bull,
separate schoelhouses for the colore,
children Of the city,
What other objections have our en-
ernies to the sBlack Crook constitu
ton ~ Only this; If that constitu
ton is adopted Warmoth and Dunn ar
elected, and they are left out in In
cold. That's all. Were they sure O
, an election they would vote for til
constitution tomorrow, and for til
sake Of Office some win even dare Z
! vote for it. But they can't come il
! The door Of public favor is shut an
> barred with "Black Crook" The
: give as the '.Black Crock" -
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4 -. ~