The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-05-31
THEnRELATIONS BETWEEN THE
WHITE AND COLORED RACES IN
-SF, LANDRY.

6GW06u bIL6 N11tG anu CUIOI6u IhCSS III
different portions of the State. "The
wal Of races" natural, and hostile at
titudes,'' are theinfammatoTy sentences
which, like a red flag to turkey, sets
the whole flock to gobble, gobble, swell
aud strut until the land is filed with
their cIamor. Sometimes, as III the case
of the Grant riot, this clamor brings
about its legitimate results Of bloodshed
and; injury. Hatred and suspicion in
augurate q vendetta, andtat each fresh
outrage the alarmists cry out Didn't
tell you so9 See the results of natural
antagonism?" When in reality they,
and no natural law, had been to blame
for the whole.
IL In our humble opinion this cry of an
tagonisma is bosh. Here in St. Landry
we have solved the problem to our own
advantage and satisfaction; and the re-
lations between the two classes are am
icable in the extreme. Social dis6inc-
tions are preserved in their integrityS
but there is a dealof difference between
distinctions and Gntag0niSms. The res
pectable colored man or woman is quite
as 10th to eoverpass certain social limits
as we are to have them do so. We are
nomore likely to meet with instances of
se~lf-respecting colored people thrusting
themselves into the society Of whites,
than gentlemen forcing their way into
circles where they are not welcome.
But, for all public or individual good,
the two classes are a unit. The colored
population is quiet, peaceable and law
abiding, The industrious rent or purch-
ase farms, and many of them are accu-
mulating fortunes. They have built
churches, established schools, hayea fire
engine, and are always ready to assist
in preserving law and order. The cleo
ton here passed off in perfect harmony.
Many of their votes were cast irrespect-
i've of party, for men whose past record
of integrity a sasure guaranteeof their
future course. They did not inquire if
Mr.. - was Democrat, Liberal or Re
publican, butthey said II know him to
be a good, honest man, and l will vote
for him.n r.. zs '@t rig
They bore the defeat of some of their
candidates Withperfect good humOr, and
the cry of "foul play'' was not heard
from them. Their relations with the
white population of the parish are too
anaicable, and their rights. of late years
herehave beentoo thoroughly establish
ed for them to live in fear of imposition
or distrust of. their tried friends. =.
Altogether we can point proudly to
st. Landry as the first parish in Louisi-
ana which has established aperfect haF-
niony Of feeling between the two races.
Nor do we Observation-Disclosures whole
Southeansolargea community be found
where therefis SO little elashing ofpubie
and individual interests.
We do not know whether this state of
affairs is owing to the superior intelli-
gence of our neutrality-suspicious., for that
they are the best Of their class there is
no denying. We think, however, a fair
modicum of praise should beaWarded to
theirteachers. Every one at all familiar
with the characteristics of therace know
that they are most strongly influenced
by their preachers and school. teachers.
Here, the man Of most influence, Rev.
James, cNeH, baptist preacher, d most
worthy and intelligent man, has used all
his great Influence to sustain the AMIGA
Bile relations between theraees. Hehas
taught them many impressive lessons
not only. of the limits of their own am
bition, but the necessity of industry and
good conduct to attain any desirable
goaI. We do not know much of the
school teachers, but. Judging BY the re-
suits, we presume they do not belong to
the stirrersu up of discerd.
AS We said before social distinctions
have adjusted themselves, as suchthings
always do If people will only let them
alone. We have an idea that the clam
orans tQngues on this subject are pre-
cis6ly the pBoplewhom, lie social distinc-
tions were rigidly enforced, would be
themselves tahooed from refined circles.
Cur experiment, here in st. Landry,
would be worth trying elsewhere. 1f
there wasfess talk of " antagonism. and
nor desire to adjust difference, less
paint, and feathersyand strutting onthe
war path, anda more earnest investiga-
ton why there shonld be d war path st
al. we think we would be all the more
prosperous for it. Perhaps We are ex
c~eptionally fortunate here. Long may
We continue so.
Fgance has again changed nalers, but
this time Without5any violence and with
butlittle excitement. Afew days since
q yote was taken onsome auestionin Tie
French Legislature, adverse to President
THEIRS and his Ministry whefeupon
eyallresigned, aud Marshal Mcmahon
was elected Presidentof the French Re-
public. He expresses in his meassdge
the intention Of pursuing ale c6nrse
adopted by Theirs.
In Mode Eegante, June number, 4
journal Of ladies' fashions, published by
ST. Taylor, SIG Broadway, New York
at Sc per annafn, has been received,
Each number contains j readv-cut pah.
tern, which is worth almost the subscrip-
ton price.
A Title Boston girl ioyfnlly assured
her mother the other day, that SHE hal
aLs fNEAER4AMS $500 $50