The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1872-07-13
TO THE GOLORED 0 P

ton of the colored people have mistaken
ideas of the real questions involved in
the pending election, and are conse-
quently in error as to the course they
pursue.
We take it for granted that a majority
Of those who have formed any opinion
the subject, have determined to sup
port the reelection of Gen. Grant to the
Presidency, and the State ticket headed
by Mr.. Kellogg as q candidate for Gov
ernor. We express to them Il honest
conviction that such a course would be
against their best interests. We will
not, in this connection, speak of the
white people, who oWn nearly all the
fore, be most vitality interested in secur-
inga faithful administration of the gov
eminent. Wedonotm make any appealto
colored people as neighbors and friends
Of the whites, and who, as such, might
naturally be expected to act with them
in a matter which concerns both classes
alike-tlis is an important considera-
ton, and doubtless will have great
weight with the well disposed portion of
that class. What we mean to say is, that
the best and only true policy for the
colored people is to support the Cincin-
natl platform and the Presidentialticket
standing upon it, as well as the State
ticket to be nominated by the Liberal
convention to meet in New Orleans on
the 9Th of next month.
Now, it is true that colored people are
influenced by the same impulses and
motives that move any other class of
people in their conduct. Self-interest,
pride, passion and prejudice, aetuate the
black man justas they do the white man;
and they are liable, like white people, to
commit mistakes and errors of Judgment.
Ever since their emancipationthey seem
to have been controlled, in politics at
least, by one single principle-the in
| stinct of race-whieh has kept them to-
gether as a unit. Thisinstinctof loyalty
to color has been well understood by
many designingW white men, andhas been
used a~rtfully all over the Southern States
to accomplish their own selfish ends.
This is too well known, even by the col
ored people, to need argument. But we
do not mean to censure the feeling allu-
dedto; quite the contrary. The Creator
Himself has implanted this tie of broth
erhoOd in all the races of the human
family, and for wise purposes. The
white people have it quite as strong as
otherraces. When great common dan
ger threatens, this instinct brings to-
+ gether the tribe for common defence.
But what reason exists, we ask sensible
c0lored men, for the existence of this
feeling-cal it self-preservation, if you
will-at this time when good order and
good feeling pervade society everywhere
and when no man anywhere standsforth
to question the civil and political rights
of the colored people as guaranteed to
them by the fundamental law of the
land?
AS long as the whites held back, as
long as any considerable portion Of them
made a question of the Negroes rights,
it was natural that he should look with
distrust upon professions and promises,
It was natural, for instance, that No
amount of persuasion or even threats
could induce him to trust the leaders OF
the Democratic party, under a party or
ganization that had sternly resisted the
various measures proposed for his bene,
fit. The white people, under the same
circumstances; would doubtless have
exhibited the same feeling, and proba.
bly, in a much stronger manner.
Having made this candid statement
we come to the point, which is the gis1
of the matter. There is now absolutely
no longer any reasonfor this isolation o.
the black race. Their rights under thu
| law are fixed i~rrevocably; no man pro
poses to disturb what are now acknoWl
edged on all sides to be accomplished
3 facts; and in the coming election boil
the great national parties pledge them
: selves in their platforms to maintain
!, them intact. Mr.. Horace Greeley'sWord
6 to the colored people must be taken b.
themas fireworks of soberness and truth
: They have no right to doubt his friend
ship or his good faith. Heisaman VIII,
/ does not sell himself to get place or pow
er. For forty years he laboTed unceas
/ ingly through good and bad report t
4 give them freedom. They owe thei
d emancipation to him more than to an,
living man. To his ability and to hi
2 outspoken advocacy of their cause ar
they indebted in a large measure for be
ing placed where they now are--th
. equals Of the white man before the Law
1 Where is there then a colored man, wit
one spark Of gratitudein hisbosom, VII
d will at this late day raisehis hand or hi
voice against this lifelong friend an
champion2 Htherebe one, olost to til
best instincts of human nature, let hi1
: hide himself for yeryshame from all hi
fellows; and let the righteous indigna
! ton of all justin fall upon the migrate
devoted head.
{. What good reason can be given IL
choosing Gen. Grant in preference |
mr.. Greeleyq He was never, if he
now, the eoIoredpeop1e's friend until /
found it necessary to appear to be so
Is order to become President of the Unite
sfafas Gar. Grant yvas vaT1Ys enemy ~