Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-07-26
IMPLICATION.

hfChe1 udo hCCcitcu lIOIu viz ioA SOot
portion Of the press opposed to Re.
pnblicanism in Louisiana, we see
that some of the old wheel horses of
Democracy advocate it strongly,
and amonst them are ex-GOvernors
Mouton and Hebert. The follow.
ing is the closing portion of a letter
from the latter to the New Orleans
Times, and below it we give entire
a letter from Governor Mouton to
General Beauregard.
The freedmen and ourselves have COM
mon country, common interests. Our pros
perity, or poverty, is a partnership. AS
one succeeds, or fails, 80 does the other.
The freedmen of the South is not migratory
where he is he wishes to stay. He has
an attachment to his old home of slave
times, singular as it may appear. Witness
how many have returned from the army,
and from Texas, where they were moved
during the war. If he returns not actual
ly to the sold Place." he fingers in the
neighborhood. 1t is clear, therefore, that
the colored people and ourselves are destin-
ed to be joint occupants of the country
provided we can get along together. Is
there any insurmountable obstacle in the
way to harmony and mutual, equitable un-
derstanding5 There may be, from the
different of races. Be this as it may, our
duty is plain, Let us grant all the rights
and privileges enjoyed by white people, equal
ly, and beyond cavil, to the freedmen. It's
his business, like others, to establish his So
cial status-as he makes his social bed he
must sleep on it. We must not "taboo"
him or place any distractions in his way.
Give him free field and q fair chance.
Encourage him in habits of industry and
economy advise him in matters domestic;
treat him politely and kindly; help him to
build churches and keep up his schools,
THAT is, so far as we ''poor white folks"
can) instruct; educate, elevate the freed
man, aud then, if he be not Of us and tcith
MS, for the good and prosperity of our COM
mon country, for his own and our welfare,
and that of his and our descendants, why,
then, it will be about time for us to "strike
tents" and migrate to-t5od only knows
where. For there is nothing more certain
in this world than the coming ruin of the
present landed interests If enmity between
the two races is kept up and permitted to
live.
One word more, Mr.. Editor, and am
done. 1t is common thing for Radical
newspapers to publish that there exists ut
the South q strong prejudice against
Northern men," so called. 1t is mistake
and SANDER. That we have some preju-
dice against there's, no matter where they
come from, is, perhaps true-but that we
have any against honest men, whether
they come from the North or elsewhere, is
positively not true. The intelligent and
representative men of the South respect
the good and true men of the North. We
admire their moral courage, perseverance.
energy. industry, shrewdness in business,
general intelligence, education, enterprise,
vitality and vast wealth. They are truly
Give men," and make things lively where
ever they gO-and on what spot of this
rather extensive globe are there not some
of them to be foundf Far from shutting
the door in their faces, we want them to
come down here and infuse some of their
indomitable business spirit and ever-sleep-
less vitality into our dormant faculties
We want then to bring their capital here
(for we have no money!, and keep on, az
they have alreaey done to great extent,
building our railroads, steamships, steam
boats, opening orr rivers and developing
the almost incalcnlable geographical and
climate resources of the great South.
Fancy an intelligent Southerncr and ex
Confederate soldier-once a gentleman and
a man of wealth (most of them were SOY
though now poor, dispirited and despond
ent, Directing to, and opposing the advent
into the South, no matter from what quar-
ter of the world, of men charged with sucf
| a mission and filled with such higU pur
poses. The idea is preposterous. YALE
p. HEBERT.
lie CORAL, La, July 2, 1873.
NV Dear GeneraI-My first impulse, wher
read the proceedings having in view til,
reconciliation of the two races now existing
| in our State, was TO write to you giving
You nv thanks for the frank and manly
part you took in it. tender you my hum
BILE but sincere appreciation in favor of thu
movement. 1t is pity we did not do sc
previous to the last November election, in
stead of affiliating with bad men.
The colored people are not our enemies
the freedmen particularly, and if they d.
not act with MS to redeem Louisiana from
ruin and shame it will be our fault.
Let us i'm good faith allow them all the
rights of citizenship, including fair pro
portion of the public offices according to the
merit and capacity.
As to this thing of social equality, it is
but scarecrow. No law can regulate,
much less control il; it must be left to seel
its own level Every man il responsible
for his association, but his neighbor will al
ways do rs he pleases and Judge for himself
hope you will persevere IN your efforts
to bring about a cooperation of the two
races to save our State from the thieves
and plunderers who have thus far reduced
her to poverty and distress.
The success of this movement, honestly
made, will do much to secure us the sup
port of portion of the Northern people
heretofore so bitter against MS.
No one will suspect you of being actuated
by improper motives, and am happy to SET
associated with you men who will command
confidence.
Very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
A. MOUTON.
Gan q r Raaurepard New Orleaus la