Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-05-13
LOUISIANA AFFAIRS,

IF the white citizens of Louisiana arc saved
from that most fearful of all conlicts-a war
of races-it will be because they will have
proven themselves capable of almost unex-
ampled seif-control whilst suffering from
series of outrages such as never bofore-in
this country at leass-havc been put upon
free people. From the time that Butler en-
tered New Orleans to the present day, the
Baltimore Gazette truthfuIly asserts, they
have been subjected to every sort of oppres-
sion. They have been plundered by military
satraps, by Treasury agents, by carpet bag
gers and scalawags. They have have had a
mountain of State and municipal debt piled
npon them. Their judicial tribunals have
been organized courts of injustice. Their
Legislature hos been mado a convenient means
of keeping the white men under, and putting
the negro on top. All this they have endured,
restively at times it is true, and with occa-
.sional though rare, yet bloody outbreaks
Ifthey had been left TO themselves-ifth they
had been allowed to manage their own affairs
there would have been peace throughout
the State. There would also have been re-
vival of that commercial prosperity which her
position or the seaboard and the great staples
that seek an outlet, c0astwiso and to foreign
ports, could not fail to bring to her Even
the elevation of the negro to tho rank of
citizen and voter would have been quietly
recognized, and every privilege accorded him
under the law would have been respected
But it was net the desire of the Radical party
that the two races should live together in
peace. The ignorant and credulous negroes
were organized Into secret leagues, taught to
hate their former masters, and to do the bid
ding of the rapacious aud evel-miuded North
ern emssaries who cajoled and deluded them.
The only hope of relief was in the feuds of
the rival factions that sought to control and
to plumber the State. 1t vas the detection of
Warmoth, and his afiliation with The better
class of Republicans, that carried the State
against rant at the last Presidential election.
and elected Mr. McEucry Governor That
election was the most peaceful that had been
held in Louisiana for years. There was no
complaint on the score Of illegaity, and if
MeEnery had been suffered to tako his seat,
and the members Of the Legislature allowed
ito assemble, ali the troubles that DOW distract
i.ouisiaua-the blood thst was shed at Colfax,
the blood that may yet be she'd in ST. Mar
tinsvi!le, the disturbances at New Orleans.
and the general resistance offered by taxpayers
to the assessments made upon them by the
usurping government of kellogg might have
been avoided. But when President Grant
recognized Kello as tho lawful Executive
though f0s;el iuto Office By tho decision
of drunken .J1dee-aud when the Senate.
whilst denouucins tho conduct of Judge Du-
rell as utterly unconstitutional, aud in gross
violation of the rights of the pevplc of the
State, evaded the responsibility of advising
President Grant TO Withdraw his support of
Kellogg, thus giving gwas; recognition to
the Government it eEDphaticaIly condemned,
Kellogg was encouraged to continue the OK
ercise of his unlawful authority, to GUST the
McEnery officials everywhere throughout tho
State, and by his e4actions and the violence
OF his measures generally, to provoke that
sancuinary retaliation and those disturbances
which, if the calmer counsels of the more
prudent of the plunderod, oppressed, and viz
tualy disfranchisel white citizens of Louisi-
ana do not prevail, may yet bring on a conflict
that will either dcuge the State in blood, or
bring it once more under military domination.