New Orleans Republican., 1873-05-28
judged BY THEIR ACTS.

| JUUC6U b1 dC4Os
Senator 1ngraham, in his earnest and
very able speech at the Mechanics 1nsti
tute meeting, arraigns the Democracy Of
this State as particeps criminis in the Col
fax atrocity. and sustains the charge by
citing the notorious fact that 1.-THE bes,
element of our white fellow-citizens have
no word Of condemnation for these in
human slaughters." OF course the speaker
uses the phrase ''best element" in the
sense accepted by the Democracy, for we
hardly suppose he is willing to place men
who approve of such outrages among the
''best Of our white fellow-citizens." But
his remarks prove that the things which
many people fondly suppose are done in
| corner and hidden from the public are
brought to light. Our colored citizens
are gifted with perceptive faculties. and
they know tree by its fruits as we'll as
the scientific botaniss OF horticulturist.
Since the murder Of their fellow-citizens
in Colfax, they have watched the tone Of
| conversation. have listened to orators and
read the newspapers, with view 70 as
certainine who disapproyed Of such
barbarity. and they find little in
the Fusion or Democratic party that is
encouraging. Mr.. lngraham remarks that
a claim is put in On behalf Of some that
they secretly condemn these bloody acts ;
but we think he would have come nearer
to it if he had added that they sometimes
expressed disapproval in private conver-
ton. while they secretly applauded the
deed. At all events. he finds in the pub
lie expressions of opinion persistent and
labored attempts to palliate and excuse
deeds that are indefensible upon any
principle Of right and humanity, and is
forced to the conclusion that they are
adopted as means Of party success. He
finds them using the public press for this
purpose, and learns that they are ''pre-
pairing, in secret. documents setting forth
pretended facts and collecting evidences
OF doubtful :rutLtulness, to prove the
Grant outrage a necessary and lawful act,
to lay before Congress.
To combat these efforts the Republicans,
white and coiored. should te on hand
promptly with the facts touching every
point. The narrow escape from a com
which we experienced last winter has
aroused the energies of our colored friends,
who are determined our cause shall no..
prevail tor want Of proof if it comes before
Congress again. The speaker urges upon
his coloTed friends. and we believe ne
speaks the sentiments Of tens of thou
squarely made up. To sustain the present
State government by the evidences Of its
entire legality, which exist in such abun-
dance throughout the State. The Sena-
tor, like his contrere. Senator Burch, is
determined to stand squarely up to Gov
ernor Kellogg as the undoubted choice Of
the voters Of Louisiana, and to insist
upon cur right TO have the actual
result defnitively ascertained and autho1i-
tatively proclaimed. Fer this reason he
opposes a new election. He does not
want fresh cause Of irritation, heavy
bill OF expense, and another commotion
such as was witnessed in 1872. And we
are satisfied he speaks the unanimous SEN
:iments OF his people, no, only in this.
bu: i'll tie matter alluded to at the begin
ming Of this article. They look upon the
Colfa2 massacre as an act Of revenge
against their race. and are satisfied that
all those who do not condemn it in IN
stinted terms either advised it or are well
pleased at the terrible vengeance wreaked
upon tie defense!ess victims. With this
feeling prevailing it will be impossible for
the negroes of the State TO repose any
confidence in the professions of good feel
ing which now and then crop out from
those who desire to gain poin. by uu-
meaning compliments and ,reacherous
cajolery.