New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-09-05
Destitute Claiborne Parishe

This parish e the most decidedly Demo-
cratic of she whole fifty-six, and naturally
the most wretched and miserable Read
the following iester from an old residents
HOMER Lac August 60 1874
EDITOR REPUBLICASS
l notice that the las: number Of the Cfaf-
borne s4dcocates the Democratic paper Of
this place, contains Il quotation from your
paper, advising the freedmen Of Claiborne
to quit work. ae once, and thus leave the
farms in a helpless conditions The e1droo
catee Of course, contends that everything
here ia perfectly ioveivs aud tair in a polite
cal Senses This Ss not so, ''by jugtulio
but il rs more so. comparatively speaking,
than in many other parishes OF North
louisiana 1t is admitted here by the
snocracys that it would not be safe
or might not ba safe 80 attempt to organze
the Republican party or hold Republican
meetings. And OF COURSE without any outo
side help. It will ''get 40 better fast" from
this time to the eiectOne SO that by thas
time we wilt have no Republican vote a.
all in Claiborne ! would not advise the
sending of Metropolitan police or militia
herein fact, have TO special advice to give
in the matter-but / do say that this whole
section, including Claiborne. is in rather a
queer and bad Tx. /: is not az all safe to
ReDuDlicanss either white Or bis;cke White
neli WHO are Republican are constantly
subject to personal insults on account OF
politics. which il is almost certain death
amt destruction 10 resent. I.ls matter
comes home 20 me and my family TO some
degree. auG while iespist. thus 20 aiiude
TO it. deem It my duty 20 tiN sS---:s G,:4 $
For my government should oe informed il
ais suci; things and theIs Il 1t allows its
supporters go be :usuited ant :u,,
oveS with :mpunitv because Oi .aas sup'
port, il proves itself unworthy of support.
wish my sons could :oym alliances o:
protection at home among white mer, who
are socially gentlemen, while a. Repub.i.
cans aEd the supporters OF She Republican
State government here are prescribed il;
every sense OF the word. and are constantly
liable to be forced into persona! seuds and
tights. which must, in any event. terminate
IN our ruin. This is an ugly predicament
Cor gentlemen with any degree OF sensibii.
ity to be placed in. and should simply like
TO know whether there is any remedy at
the hands of the government-whesheg
there is no Balm in Gi!ead.
But what started out more especially &c
say is II regard to your advice to freedmen.
Il is Hot good advice because nos ~ ali
practicable. ! am yealiy fearful that ''our
friends" even IL New Orleans DO nos es
ac;l: understand the real situation in the
countrr. If the freedmen were 90 "!eave
iie Plantations shey would socl: s.arvs.
ere;. Il scev were not Immediately
murdered. Indeed. no people we:e ever IN
80 helpless :. condition as the freedmen
throagnout ;he country parishes .! Louis
lana are today. Or SO shamefully treated by
their "friends.' Place she same number OF
poor white men in like condition and they
would change politics in :wenty.tour hours.
And the negroes will finally change j: they
do SO with my advice. The zru.i: is, 5u:
lew II .his portion of the State. o: e:-he-
color. vii! ever again vote the Republican
ticket. unless they are thoroughly eonvinceti
that is will bring upon them some o:he.
condition than unprotected humiliation and
:ns2!:.
~. JASPER BLACKRCEN.