New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-20
c.r Tur co1oREp VOTERS BE FOOLED

in full confidence tnat IL ono"i" o0 q"
swered in the negative, it must be con-
coded that there be those OF the Democ-
racy who are. Of a different opinion. The
recent address of their State Central
Committee, in making an appeal to the
colored voters for support, sums up the
claims Of the Democratic party as follows:
The Democratic party has always upheld
and defended the constitution OF tne coun-
try. and will now, as ever III the past. pro
tect and defend every citizen in the full and
free exercise of all rights guaranteed by
that instrument. At the last election in
n ew York, SO triumphant Tor the Democ-
racy. the only charge brought against the
narty was, that it favored the colored citi-
zens in their constitutional privileges. The
colored people of this State, therefore, may
be assured that the Democracy will ever
continue to live up to the grand principles
that have so long characterized it.
The averments of this extract are SO at
variance with our memory Of events, as to
well nigh force the conclusion that the
Democracy think that the newly enfran-
chised can be induced to disbeheve their
own senses-what their eyes have seen,
their ears heard-and distrust and cast OFT
the friends of their darker days,
We can almost admire the seeming
gravity and sincerity with which history
is ignored, and the colored folks are asked
to look to the Democracy to be as they
have been, the defenders of their constitu-
tional rights Does the Bulletin, in COM
menting on this very passage and its con-
text, intend a hint when it says: at (the
Democratic party can not etface the latest
chapter in the process of events, 1t can
not repeal history?'' The italics are ours.
Whatever may have been intended, we
must thank our neighbor for the remind
Ell, so kindly worded, to its friends.
"The Democratic party has always up
held and defended the constitution, " has 1t?
We ask our colored fellow citizens, how
stands the record? What provisions OF
the constitution are those by virtue Of
which you are to-day free and voters?
Are they not the so-called fourteenth and
fifteenth amendments? When and where
did the Democratic party advocate the
adoption of either of these provisions?
When and where has not the Democracy
most bitterly denounced and opposed them!
How long since Democratic conventions
and leading Democratic Senators have
more than intimated that the fifteenth
amendment was not adopted and was no
part of the constitution?
Not many weeks agone, the colored
people of this city, with some of their
white fellow-citizens, publicly celebrated
the ratification Of this amendment.
Were those whites Democrats or Republ-
cans? Was it a Republican, or was it a
Democratic newspaper which, while adj
hitting the quiet and good order of that
demonstration, characterized it as an
insult to the white population?
Do the colored folk want such uphold
ing of their constitutional ights as this
Can they rely upon it?
Again, they are told that "the Demo-
cratic party will now, as erer in the past, pro-
tect and defend every citizen. in the full
and free exercise of every right guaran-
teed by that instrument" (the constitu-
tion). and recent action of the New York
Democracy is cited in proof
The reference was most unfortunate,
for it brings up other memories-mem-
cries of colored people driven through the
streets of New York by a merciless mob
houses plundered, asylums burned, their
helpless inmates turned out of doors with
ont shelter from storm or sun, women
dubbed, children pelted with stones, men
hung up to lamp-posts, and our colQred
voters pM ask the foolish questions, We're
these their constitutional rights? Was
there in all that mad mob a single Repub-
lican? Yet.these things are but recent
';chapter in the process Of events. "
Would that there was no other of like
character.
Coming nearer home for a little of his
tory, we may ask, did the Democracy of
this city protect its colored citizens in
July, 1866, when the carts were loaded
with negro victims of violence, the living,
dead and dying piled in one promiscuous
heap? We ask the colored voters, did
you then feel that the Democratic party
put forth its strong m-all-potent then
in this city-to guarantee to you the free
exercise of your constitutional rights?
Once more. In 1868 did the Democracy
protect and defend you in your then con-
stitutional right to participate in political
affairs, and to vote? If so, how hap
pened it that, before election day came
round, every club room in the city occu-
pied by you was sacked and pillaged
Was this done by Republicans, or Demo-
Gratis Did the Democracy thus intend
to assure you that you could safely go to
the polls on election day? If, before
election, they would not permit you a
meeting place even, was it proof that they
would see to it that you should vote in
peace?
We might push inquiry to the present
hour. AS these thoughts go to print the
daily papers announce that the Democracy
in Ohio, led by Congressman, denounce
the fifteenth amendment as SO shameful
neockery," while in this State meetings
are being held to demonstrate against the
organization of colored militia These