The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1872-07-27
Facts and Figures.
CAN THE BEMOCATIC TICKET WIN !?
from the Natcnitoches Times.

From the NatchitOches Times.l
The Democratic newspapers have
given us figures, based upon the census
of 1870, to prove that a square political
fight by the Democratic party in the
next campaign is not hopeless. These
figures show a difference in numbers
between the two races in the State of
only 1856 i'll favor of the blacks, the
census being taken "in midsummer,
when a large portion of the white pOpu-
latiOn of New Orleans was absent from
the city"
These figures are correct, as far as they
are given. The absence Of citizens from
New Orleans, however, would not ma
terially reduce the numer OF whites Ill
the census tables, as families not at
home are usually reported by friends or
by those left in charge Of their houses.
At any rate, the number of whites
omitted is probably compensated for by
the omission of those blacks who are
not reported, many of this class, as we'll
as known, living iii ObscUlity and I'M
known by even near ~nclghbOrs. Inc
difficulty or impossibility of t%indingjn-
rors drawn from that population in
country parishes, demonstrates the fair
ness of this assumption. Taking the
figures then as we find them, and con-
ceding to the cOlOred element an excess
i'll total population of 2,155 in the State,
and dividing that number by five as a
means of ascertaining the excess OF YO-
tiers, we have about 400 COlOred majority.
But there is an important fact de-
rived from the II to be considered
in this connection, which has been en-
tirely ignored by the Democratic press
which is this Of the white pOpula-
ton, 61,827 are of foreign birth. OF
these, il is but fair to estimate that one
third are adult males, men being much
more numerous in III foreign pOpula-
ton than among the native born. We
this population as for the native whites
and blacks !; and, dividing the whole
number Of foreign born by five, we have
over 10000 foreign adult males i'll the
State. Half Of this class, perhaps, re-
main unnatUraliZed but, assuming that
only One third retain their foreign allie
glance, we have more than 1000 non
voters Of that population all white.
Again Of foreign voters (naturf
lied, and not included in the above T.
ccptiOn,) there are believed to be in he
city Of New Orleans five thousand O.
mans who vote with the Republican
party, but who are To- willing to pin
the Liberal movement. But they lll
not, under any circumstances, vote the
straight Democratic ticket.
In the above, we assume that thu col
Ored vote for the Democratic tick will
be a set-otf to the native white who
join the other side.
The summing up, then, is as flows :
Excess OF cOlOTed vote in the
State 400
U~naturalized (white) foreiSnG--4O 1000
German Republicans (natuIa-
lZed) oOOO
Democratic deicit...--L. 9,40O
The German vote being tIen from
the white OF Democratic side i'll trans
ferred to the negro OF publican
strength, should he doubled the cal
culatiOn T.; but as it may, intlneXtelec-
ton, remain independent if } fusion is
made, we adhere to the fi4es above
given. In addition, there aiOld Wings
and disatfected DemOcratRnough to
swell the Republican eXcF to more
than 10000.
Again The NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the
very strictest supervision, 81 especially
if under the control of pdical adver-
saries is always favorable the blacks,
from the facility with with those un-
der age can obtain reStration, and
from double registration A compare
son between the registeF voters and
total population of the 70 races in al
most any parish, will sw that while
the white vote is Onlyne i'll six, the
!. colored vote is fully olIin five of the
total in the census tals. The differ
ence will give, i'll rOu1arumbers, 1880
colored voters and 60,pwhite voters in
the State, or 1880 cQred majority, to
be added to our first aiming up-leav-
ing a total Democrat deficit Of 1880
in a straight out codst.
These figures maypt be very salts
factory, but they haabetter be looked
at calmly now, tha5after the returns
of the November elton come in. If
they are not corrective trust that some
of our cOntempGl1es will disprOve
them-fairly, h0FtIly and without
partisan bias. Ithey are correct,
would it not be tEpart OF wisdom to
abandon a conteaased on other false
assumptions, or fblind confidence of
, victory, and cong down %squarely to
facts and figure&evlse some plan by
which our belOvState may be rescued
from four yearSllOre OF Radical mis-
rule and tyrant?
We assume to a contest IN the next
-, CAMPAIGN on a4reIy Democratic basis
is utterly hdess. Bat fortunately
there remainse simple plan of fusion,
by which all Elements of opposition
to extreme Realism may be consoli-
: dated and thftate restored mainly in
to the handpf good men. In other
: words, suc& through the Liberal
movement imOst absolutely certain,
as defeat Orle exclusive Democratic !
: line. \
; Taking dfgures as given, the Radi-
, cal maiOriis easily overcome. The
Liberal nd will absorb the 5000 Ger
) man ReRlicans. The registration. {
! being u1f the control of political
! friends. fing an interest in mutual
I success. Ill not be used unfairly to I
: orr disFantage. This will DISPOSE
, of the Ress of cOlOred registration,
! and thdFO will reduce our minority !
: to AO0 les in the State. 70 overcome !
! this. ~oVllies from the Republican side !
: must II only 1900 colored votes to the !
! fusiorEket. No I'M man can doubt ,
; that tt can, at the very least, control :
, tW-iceinany. .At.aIly rate, fusion pre- :
sent& only hope of success, and we :
shoulot hesitate to accept it o favo- !
: fablkE7ns. Let us not turn our backs |
: ON redemption of the State, through !
y follH prejudice, but exhaust every .
meIWhich promises relief before dv- !!
indainl in the last ditch. W., #a15at !
Hher view of the contest is that of !
: a hgular fight, in which the two fac ,
tiI0f the Republican party maintain !
ibendent organizations and present {
sHate tickets in the campaign, with !
! democracy also in the field. In :
event, can the Democrats com in :
" Ween, and win? Without going IN :
Details, tits plain, that, the regfstra- y
: n remaining as unfayOfable to the !