Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-06-20
rHE LONG Losr BRorHER.

THE LONG LOST BROTHER.
The action Of General Beauregard and
other white men of New Orleans at a
recent meeting, pledging themselves to
abide by and work for the amalgamation
of the races in Louisiana, was surprise
for which not many outsiders we're pre-
pared. A few limitations had been
given out that a new party was incu-
batting which would be cross between
the former factions or parties, but the
old friends Of General Beauregard were
wholly unprepared to witness the plung-
ing poIitical somersault he and his asso-
eiates have made. We take It for
granted that the primary object OF this
determination is office, and it remains to
be seen how many of the white slgners
of the resolutions will be appointed to
fat places. Beauregard, Of course, will be
entitled TO the first and latest ofhce,
unless he follows the example Of Mosby,
and for appearance sake valves his
claims for the time being. Like all old
army officers, he is no politician, and
has little idea Of the ropes and pulleys
behind the scenes with which the cur
tain rises or falls at the will of shrewd
managers, and by which men and scenes
at the front are shifted to the rear. be
is a soldier by profession and knows iit-
tie else. Since the war he has met only
moderate success in business undertake
ings, and will in this new role as poll
tician fail more completely than ever.
Shrewd politicians are using him as
cat paw to pull some very large sized
chestnuts out of the fire, and although
he has in the resolutions bespoken
liberal divide, it is questionable whether
he will get much from the political mon
key to pay him for his burns and scratches.
These gentlemen have been converted
in single night, as it were, but 1t Is
very doubtful whether the handful OF
representative men in the meeting which
was composed of both whites and blacks
can lead the people after them. 1t they
had confined themselves to political
matters entirely, the effect would have
been different, but no law can be made
that will force people of different habits,
ideas and colors to live together on
terms Of social equality, and educate
their children in the same schools unless
thew choose to accept such conditions.
The pledges given seem uncalled for
and not essential to the harmony and
mutual respect of the two races. This
is a question that has to regulate itself
in a great measure, and every individual
chooses his own associates. No meet
ing held in Fanuel Hall ever went fur
Their. Such sentiments scarcely find a
practical illustration in any New Eng
land State. The whole affair smacks of
office seeking, and, we predict, will have
no effect toward improving the eondl-
ton of either race. The resolutions
were written to be read in Washington
City, and not to be adopted by the peo-
ple of Louisiana. The idea of white
men guaranteeing the colored people
their rights in Louisiana is an absurdity,
for the colored people are in power al
ready, and but for the carpet-baggers
would hold all the offices, and need no
such guarantee, except, perhaps, in one
or two remote parishes. The colored
men are the "ins and the whites are
the "outs." 1t is the old, old game;
they only want in. They cannot make
it by force, and have suddenly become
filled with brotherly love, and ask to be
embraced.