New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-08-09
The White League.

If we were to name that organization of
the Cuited States which nearest approaches
in malignancy and wickedness the old slave
power, we would say it is the lately formed
white League" of Louisiana. There may
be some measure of excuse for INSCRIPTIONS
leaders, black as well as whites, the colored
voters of Louisiana have lent their suf-
frages to the support Of officials who were
incapable of serving the people honestly,
and who value office in proportion to the
pecuniary gain derived from it. That the
negroes should be so led astray solely
through their ignorance seems incredible.
Any creature higher than the brutes should
learn, in eight years enjoyment of enfran.
chisement, if all previous knowledge Of
right and wrong had been denied, that a vote
for unprincipled candidates is a vote for dis
honor and corruption. The weakest intui
ton of manhood would teach them this
Yet the history of the last three years in
Louisiana shows that a majority of the
blacks, in coalition with large proportion
of the whites, have labOred to advance and
develop dishonesty. Official farming is the
rule and anarchy the welcome result. The
odium of this is heaped upon the negro
voters, and it must be confessed that they
deserve a large share OF it. Therefore We
say that the formation of the White League
may be in some measure excusable. though
if its purpose be to cure the boils on the
corrupt body polite. it should apply the
plaster to whites as well as blacks.
The wickedness of the League. however,
is evident when it is known that its purpose
is to widen the chasm between blacks and
whites. Its whole intent is to precipltate
the war OF races. 1t is not only unfriendly
and uncompromising. but belligerent and
malignant. The blacks are to be thrust out
from all association with the whites. So far
as may be possible under the national con-
stitution and the laws of Lousiana-though
refrainiug from the infraction of both only
when there is danger OF arrest-they will be
intimidated from voting and selt-Ostracism
will be urged upon them. The League has
even gone to that extremity which denies
the negro the privilege of elvlng the whites
They propose that every member OF the
League shall discard his colored workmen
and employ whites or perform all labor
with their own hands No one will OBJ
ject to the latter. The White League
is largely composed of ex-slaveholders,
and none who remember the darkest
phases of the blot OF American slavery
will regret to see this class earning
their bread by the sweat of their brOws.
Earnest physical labor will be healthful
tonic for their bodies and souls, and season
of it may benefit both master and servant.
No consultation with political Oracles offers
any certain explanation of what is to be the
result of all this deplorable trouble. There
is an evident disposition among the lOrdly
Caucasians of the South to tolerate moi cit
izenship which is not white. The antipathy
is strong and growing. 1t has not yet
reached its height. There is a prospect
that the negroes will be forced to a colon
ization or concentration of their numbers.
There is now steady drifting OF blacks
from those Southern States having a minor
ity of blacks into those having majority.
If this continues-a natural and peaceful
conclusion to the growing antipathy of the
races may result Now we only know that
there is being organized party which is
unjust and malignant in its intentions to-
ward the blacks, and that day not far
distant may demand the interference of the
federal government in more than one of
the Southern States.-Clereland Leader.