The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-06-28
= The New Political Movement.
We reproduce from the Brashear

Ne'cs the following article: sef= ass
The movement spoken Of in our last
issue has taken o forward step, and
may now he said to be fairly before
the people. A meeting was held on
Monday night, IN New Orleans, at
which the most promiE ent men o1
either race assembled and Joined in
an action which, if rightly carried
out, must unquestionably lead to d
permanent understanding and certain
prosperity. Those who represented
the white people were the very best
and most eminent citizens Of New
Orleans. Men like DR.. Clioppin, Gen
eral Beanregard, Thomas A. Adams,
Colonel ]. y. Hill aud /. N. Marks.
are not to be charged with any but
the purest motives. They would not
have an office, and their past history
leaves no ground fora single reproaell
that may tonch the private or pubiis
character of any one Of them. The
coiOred men were represented by
Colonel james Lewis,J Henri Burcll.
Aristide Mary, DR.. Roudnnez, Lieut.
enant Governor G.. G. A0toihe. and
others. 81
But the proceedings develop some
curious facts, we'll worthy the con-
sldcration Of all. SO far from calling
for any new legislation in favor Of the
colored people, Che effect Of this move
ment will be- to put a stop to it finally.
At first glance this seems strange, but
it merely proves-and. the colored
people in particular should ponder it
TINT while all necessary laws have
been made, it still remains with the
whites to effectually nullify or confirm
them: 1t proves that though the
Republican party wields the power,
and the colored people are in u posi-
ton to obtain such legislation as they
desire, there must be a perfect sym
patlly and harmony between them
and the whites before any fruits Of
that power may be enjoyed. It demon
stratcs that il We. need the colored
people to secure our own prosperity,
they also need us to perfect their
privileges.
We are mutually necessary to each
other III Tire achievement Of a common
destiny. The white nan has found 1t
out by experience Of defeat and OPP
preston the colored man, through
long period of unsatisfed hope and
,,nredecmcd promise. Eight years
have p;,ssed since tl,e new era dawned,
and to-day the races equally find
themselves without tho advantages
they expected. They see that discOr,l
only aggravatcs the trouble, and that
their advancement can not be accom-
plishcd save through mutual ander-
standing and mutual assistance.
Such is the conclusion reached by
the representative men Of both sides
in New Orleans, and we may fairly
assume, from tho character of those
now prominent in the movement, that
it il ah honest conclusion, and must,
in time, embrace within its fold all
the thinking people of Louisiana.
We Of the country are hound to
take the matter into consideration.
If the results in view will affect New
Orleans, how much more gravely will
they touch the most vital interests Of
the agricultural district9 Let any
man look fairly at the case as existing
OH Bayou Teche, and deny that pro-
sperity or failure can in every instance
be associated with the feeling existing
between the employer and the hired
man! Does any one SO far deceive
himself as to think that all the ex-
perience, all the Judgment, all the
skill in the world will avail against
the distrust, the Indifference or open
enmity Of the laborer?
We must ask ourselves these ques
tons now, for New Orleans is in
earnest, and the crisis will be upon
us in our turn. Plainly the colored
people ask for nothing but our cordial
recognition of what they legally pos
sess. They ask to be accorded will
lingly the right they may at any time
demand and obtain in court.
Only six or seven days ago, Judge
Cullom, u Fusion nominee, elected by
the white people Of New Orleans, and
a iurist and gentleman OF high stand
ing, decided that the colored people
had the right to demand and receive
first-class passage on steamboats,,
land, by inference, on every other
public conveyance.) Suit was brought
by a colored woman, Mrs. Josephine
Decuir, against the steamer Governor
Allen, claiming damages on account
of having been refused cabin passage.
Judge Cnllom awarded the damages
and showed, in a length and masterly
decision, that the law Of the land left
him no alternative. b
Now the colored people can demand
these things and get them. We have
no recourse. But they ask us to ac-
cord them frankly and in spirit of
kindness. They ask us to put away
our prejudices and give them fair
chance to work out their destiny.
In return they pledge themselves
to make common cause with usagainst
evil legislation, and every other gov
crumental ill whose burden now
weighs us down and crushes all our
energies.
TLe question presents no attrac-
u Al. y,nllfIoIon