The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1872-03-02
FHE POLITICAL SITUATION IN LOU.
ISIANA.


The calling of two State conventions
next month and the rapid political
formations taking place in our State,
suggest little calm, deliberative in
quiry concerning the political condition
in this State and the nature of the strug-
gle before us. We hope to bring to our
portion of the investigation spirit of
eandor,' fairness and common sense,
entirely free from partisan bias or fool
ish prejudices concerning names and
party affiliations. If there be one soil
tary aim we hold sacred above all
others, it is that of discriminating the
people of Louisiana and restoring to
the responsible, working elements the
rights and immunities to which, in
republic, they are indefeasibly entitled.
That we are in honest in this DECLARE
ration, we confidently summon, as
proof, our past course and the tenacity
with which we have adhered to Il cause,
which, in time of unparalleled cor
ruption and RIGHTEOUSNESS, is still free
from spot or blemish.
We nave in previous issue, given
some of the reasons why we do not
approve the formation Of the Reform
party recommended by a local COM
mittee Of New Orleans. The object had
in view by this Committee appears
to have been to conciliate, particularly,
the colored voters. The committee
appears to have committed the too
common error Of turning its attention
almost exclusively to the negro vo-
ting element, forgetting that there is
powerful white element in the State,
animnted by proud and patriotic pur-
poses, which is indispensable in carry
ing a popular election. What has
been the result of this extra attention
to the negroes? The protest of Jou-
bert and others, colored vice-presidents
in the meeting called by the commit
tee of Fifty-one, tells the committee
that they have stopped short of meet
ing the demands of the colored men
upon whose support they relied. They
must guarantee to the negro, they are
told, equal privileges in hotels, steam
boats, cars and churches, with the
whites. The fifty-one are told further
that they must reform themselves of
athe senseless andridiculous prejudice"
hased upon color; and are told finally,
that when they have thus reformed
themselves "they will be in Il position
to enjoy the confidence of the Republi-
can masses fts places of h,tst and hon.
or"
Thus ends the well-meant effort Of
the New Orleans Reformers to concili-
ate the disafTccted Republican negro
element of that city, and to incorpo-
ratio it in party opposed to the fur
ther rule of the Republican party in
this state. The experiment has pro-
Ven sore trial and a still more trying
and disgusting failure.
Vhat the efforts Of the Fifty-onc will
result in, now that these colored men
Npudiate their alliance and scorn their
tenders, requires for elucidation no
elaborate process of reasoning.
Let us in this place impress upon our
readers one single fact: Wherever the
negro is caught by a name, that namt
will be the name Republican. He
Knows very little about politics, except
to vote his prcudices. lie does not
vote for, SO much as against, ticket.
He looks to men more than measures
Ito professions and meaningless con-
descension more than to strict practice
and consistent record. If he admircs
any political virtue in white men, it is
holiness and candor. Try to coax and
persuade him, and he is sure to so
against you. Show him you are indie
pendent and strong in your own rights,
and he is more apt to believe you and
como to your support.
Now, in reference to the Republicans
OF this State, we unhesitatingly an
bounce our belief, in pursuing the i'll
Huiry we suggested at the opening of
this article, that they will be found
united before the next election and
Stlpportinr the same ticket 1t is orr