New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-05-21
The Schemes Of the Freei, naaIs's
EHenaies. 80

Georgia is a Democratic State. That is
equivalent to saying that it is in the hands
of the men who fought against the Union
and still believe that the cOlored race is de-
signed by mature and Providence for con-
dition of slavery. 1t has been represented
in the Forty Third Congress by ALEXANDER
III. STEPHENS, the eN-Vice- President of the
late Confederacy. 1t is more completely
Independent of the Republican party and of
the Freedmen's ballots than any other
Southern State. In 1872 it gave the Demo-
cratic candidate for Governor majority
of nearly 1900 over his Republican oppo-
nent, while even on the Presidential ticket
there was majority of oyer $4,000 against
GRANT. These facts are scited to show the
undoubted preponderancec of Democratic sen-.
timent in Georgia.
| Now, how is that party using its advan-
tage in the State? We shall conline our
selves to one phase of its administration,
and for our facts we are indebted to the
Washington correspondence Of the New
York Tribune, a paper which, under its re-
| cent administration, cannot be accused of
any Partially for the ,colOred race-which,
| indeed, omits no opportunity to exhibit its
treachery to the principles for which Horace
| Greeley fought his greatest battles and won
| his only triumphs. 1t seems from this COR
| respOndence referred to that the whites of
Georgia are cunningly supplying themselves
with arms from the Government apprOpria-
ton for that purpose, while the colored peo-
pie are left in an almost defense!ess condition
in this respect. The latter have formed
military companies in accordance with the
laws Of the State, while the Democratic
Government refuses to put any weapons in
their hands. If there were any impartiality
in thismatterit would be well enough. Pow
der and lead have been the curse of the
Southern people. 1t happens, however, that
while the negroes are left in the midst of a
hostile white population with no weapons of
defense whatever, the white companies, or
ganized under the same laws, are supplied
with rifles, sabres, swords, and guns furnished
by the general government. Since the war
| $50 breech-lOading rifles, $40 muzzle load
ing rifles, $40 pistols, 500 cavalry sabers, 5
light l2-pound bronze guns, and so non-com-
missioned officers swords have been contli-
buted to that State by the United States,
while all but $50 rifles have been distributed
among white companies. This policy of de-
prviny the people of arms goes hand in hand
with the kindred Democratic policy of neglect
ingito establish schools for the education Ofthe
freedmen. The old policy of slavery revives
the moment the anti-Republcans obtain
control Of any large section Of the South, and
it is evident that if the colored race is to be
enlightened and elevated it must be through
the active sympathy and assistance of the
Northern people, and the continued dOmi-
nance Of the Republican, party! The right to
bear arms was one for which our fOrefathers
provided in the fundamental law of the coun-
try. 1t cannot be directly taken away by any
statutory enactment but by indrectlOn those
who may need it most may be deprived oft.
The freedmen of Georgia are citizens and vo-
tiers of that State, and as such, are entitled to
consideration in the distribution of arms when
they observe the proper requirements of the
law for organizing the militia. This is es-
pecially evident when the present relations
of the whites and the freedmen are taken,
into consideration. - 81 =
The blacks have held military conven-
ton, and have memorialiZed Congress to
provide "for organizing arming, .disciplining
the militia of Georgia, so thatmilitarys COM
panies composed Of friends of the Union may
enjoy the same privileges that its late oppo-
nents enjoy" and that no discrimination shall
be made between said companies on account
of race, color, or former condition of servi-
tude 1t may be objected that the passage
of such law will be an unwarranted inter-
ference with State laws and rights. That is
the favOrite plea of the freedman's enemies,
and many who once were ardent in their de-
votion to the former cause have been cajOled
into repeating it. But State rights are sub
ordinate to human rights, and if there were
really any collision of the two classes the
former should 60 to the wall. 1t is not true,
however, that there is such conflict between
them. But if there should be other ways of
organizing negro companies in Georgia, the
Government should itself, independently OF
the State authorities and laws, create and arm
q colored force that will be prepared to re-
spond, if necessity should occur, to the calls
of the Unionists of that State should they be
over ridden by the late rebels. The former
ought not to be compelled to wave olive
branches while the latter are threatening
them with breechloading rifles supplied by
the general Observation-Disclosures Express.