The Caucasian. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1874-1875, 1874-12-26
The Political Situation.

The gov t.,s,ncnt Of the Union il to sb'
brought back to tho constitution, j.s
n ancient landmarks aud traditions re
covered and respected, and frntcrna
rrIntions revived throughout IL" conn
try. They cheer tho oppressed nm,
4 dcspondcnt southern people with the
promise that the bnrtlcns which have
~ long borne them down are to hc
Jif,c,! off. For npnrly ten years, tn"
Iexistcnce or constant apprehension Of
military ar other interference or re-
prcssjnn. from without, has ralsicd the
Just scIf government Of this people
has dcrnngrd their tabor aystrms, en-
fecblcd their productions, hindercd the
revival Of trade and cam mcrri"l enter
prise, prevented the influx Of immigrn-
ton aud capital, aud subjected whole
Communities to tho rule Of the unpi'y
ing stranger, who has wasted the
fruits Of their labor and eaten up tlci,
substance. 1t may he safely affirmed
that the period Of reconstruction has
visited upon the southern states great
or material losses aud injuries than
resulted from tn" proceeding four
years Of war. Tho most suspicious
day, for The hnnor aud well being "t
tho whole country, will DO that in
which tho, great cxport-pro1nciDg
statca nrc restored to peace and pro-
d"ctivc rpc,gy, by being restored to
their constitutional rights and rcla-
! ti"ns.
Bat our complete dclivcrnncc de-
MA 10 la, III an
wisdom will, which ourselves shall
u,aIizc past lessons and coming OPP
p"rtuni,,es. IL IL to DO wrought ont
by the moral power of our fidelity to
every constitutional trust. IL our
present hopes he fulfilled, their very
| iuliilmcnt contronts rs with new exi.-
eDcics to be well understood and man
fully met. The new organic order,
settled 10y the recent amendments Of
the Federal constitution, will stand
unalttrrd and the srcnt domestic ro-
hicm they impose on us will be left to
be worked out by oar nnaasia,c1
strength aud Mt our own hazard We
may rest assured of success us soon as
the repeal or judicial annnlmcnt of all
cutorccmcpt laws shall peacefully re-
licvc us from the harrasamrnt and APP
prehrnsion Of military aud other cncr.
ciOn from without, and from tho inter
mcddlInG Of mere political ahvcntnrcr.
within. As soon rs let nlono to adjust
their own relations, tho races will br
brought clearly to understand their rc-
spcctive dcstinirs, and mutual c"-npc-
ration and good will will enlist in
working ont II common welfare.
Lookin. to the pvcp"nlcrunt num-
bcrs OF tho white race; TO their con
stnm,'y augmcntin. relative strength
to their great superiority in experience,
education and cnlis ointment; to The
truth that intelligence ia II main sup
port Of FREQ institutions, VIC caunnI
doubt That the better qualified and
superior portion of the people can,
will and on.ht To control and admin
istcr the domestic governments. Hence
forth, let it be understood Of all, that
the political equality OF the races is
settled, and the social equality Of the
races is settled imppssibility. LIE:
it be understood Of all. that any or
ganizrd uttcmp, on the part Of the
weaker and relatively diminishing race
to dominate the domestic governments,
is tho widest chMrrn of political in
sanity. Let each race settle down in
final resignation to tho lot to whicl,
the logic OF events has inrxornhly con
signed it. When til" pcrnrious inter-
medd!ing which, has ir,itatcd the rcln
tons of the races shall cease, the weak
cr race will look with growing conf
dence to VA for the pfotcc ion of their
rights; and their fidelity and services
in the trying periods Of the past, their
dependence and comparative hrlplcss-
ness, the demands Of humanity and
our own well being, all impcl us to ac
cord them justice aud henciicouco with !
n generous hand. Tho members Of
that race arc engaged in an unequal
with poverty and the peri!ous
responsibilities of sudden freedom
Their earnings may suffice to secure Il
livelihood for themselves, hnt they
who wtrc Oncc valuable lnlOrers and
producers are now contributing no in
crease to the aggregate wealth. A
wise craftsmanship will incitc them by
kindness, will rescue them from I'M
thrift and extravaganza, encourage
them to increase their possessions and
comforts 10y the practice of sclf-dc
NAL, diligence and pr"bity, will en-
large their Industries, c"nsn't their
wants, cultivate their minds, and
draw ont their best capacities, 50 that
Ihcir new inert force shall he made an
active ius'ru.ncntality, and welded as
y great productive power in augment
ing the common wealth and prospect
~.
The colorcd man is ON trial before
Inc eyes Of the world. 1t is mainly for
t." prove his race worthy Of its
lew political relations.
In dealing with these questions, we
ire told that we cannot afford to do
wrong. We are told it is not safe /,
make Il single mistake. Let rs reject
he teachings OF ~ policy S" @n"hlc
md narrow. Standing on far higher
M it icnI and ,,nrnl laval lar - I,I