The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1871-03-18
BLOODSHED AT MERIDIAN.

have Thought of the matter seriously, |
but we fear the mass have passed it by
as nothing. Well, we confess that we
are alarmed, but not surprised. We
think every city, town and hamlet of
the South should take up this tragedy
and study it well-find out the cause,
and learn lesson for themselves.
We believe now, and have believed
from the surrender, that all the legisla-
ments is tending ultimately to a war Of
races. We do not think a war of races
was intended, but they have originated
the cause and the effect must follow.
Our argument on this point is i'll few
words The legislation, backed by its
devotees, has taught the negro to hate
the white man--that the whites We're
the enemies of his race, and the interest
Of the two races not the same. We
have heard this from the stump, read it
in the press, and recognized it in the
organic and legislative laws. This was
all wrong and of no necessity, even for
partisan success.
| Our Government has produced an
evil it cannot remedy. We are not
prepared to say that our statesmen in
tended the result, but legislated in alb
solute ignorance of the stuff they We're
fondling. Some, no doubt, legislatcd
for other purposes, not caring fig for
effect, results or consequences, but we
do believe there are some sincere states
men in the halls of legislation VIII. are
as ignorant of the real character of the
Africst race, ;ts t, blind dog OF color.
We are now to suffer the consequences
of blind legislation. The war of races
has commenced, and not week will
pass by without recording some tragedy
like that ut Meridian. Nine times out
of ten the colored race will be the vic
tims--yes victims of that dear friend
ship which, has SO quietly and steadily
led them on to this war of races. These
wise friends Of the negro are now trying
to shelter themselves behind the Ku-
l<luX. 1t is false alarm, intended
only to hide their folly.
But the war of races has begun. South
Carolina, the absolute negro State, is in
an actual state of warfare. Itadicalism
has reigned supreme, and yet chaos and
confusion are the result. The negro
was there told that he was superior,
and, believing this, he at once deter
mined to ,be supreme-tlenlanded the
reins and obtained them. The result
is before you. AS in South Carolina, so
i'll Mississippi, and, we fear, in Louisi-
ana. In any given point where the
white population have given way to
the negro, and winked at his demands
for place and power, you will witness
trouble between the races.
We have been looking for these riots,
and have for three years been alarmed.
We have looked for them, because they
are the natural result Of Radical rule,
and alarmed because of the future con-
sequences and the final result. Upon
this point we have based our opposition
| to the present Legislation. We have,
time without number, warned the col
ored race OF these things. We have
tried to teach them their weakness,
their folly, their blindness and their
true interest.
| But it is time for us to look facts in
the face. 1t is useless to quarrel over
the cause. Let us look to the effect,
and, if possible, give the remedy. Let
us avert, if possible, from ourselves the
| calamity of Meridian. Let us throw
aside all prejudice OF race or color, and
bring to bear something that will save
the country from these riots and blood
shcu.
We beg the legislator, the office
seeker and moncy-hunter to stop and
, think of what they are doing with the
| negro. They flatter, praise and cljole
him for his vote and money, but do
they know that their fattery, praise
and cajOling are creating Il sclf-impor-
tance that makes the negro arrogate to
himself Il bigoted Importance that must
finally result in evil! Such is Il fact.
Let us all think of these things, and, if
we have done wrong, let us mend our
ways and do right.
Hazoo City has already voted one
hundrcd- thousand dollars i'll aid of
road running from this city through
that pace, in the direction of Grenada.
We understand that Hazoo county will
vote an equal amount. - ITchsdtfiy Ter