The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1874-07-08
THE NEGRO IN CONGRESS-


OF the six negroes in Congress but
one excited any notice during the
session that has just closed-Elllot'
of South Carolina, and he only be-
cause of a single speech which was
supposed to be remarkable because it
did emanate from a negro. Better
speeches were made every day by
white men which provoked no COM
ment. The other representatives OF
the black and mulatto people in Con-
gress-Rainey, Cain, Walls, Ransier
and Lynch-were complete nonentl-
ties. We notice this in no spirit OF
prejudice, but because the fact has a
political and social value. These SIX
colored men may properly be suppos-
ed to be the pick Of their race, the
best representatives of it's intelligence
and culture. One Of them is serving
his third, and two Of them their Sec
ond terms in Congress, so half of the
number have had some Congressional
experience. And yet, i'm m diate
representatives though they be OF a
race numbering four millions OF peo-
Die, not one of them has originated a
measure nor put forth an idea, not
one has distinguished himselfby COM
mittee work, not one has appeared
above the dull level of mediocrity ex-
cept Elliot, who made one speech
which occasioned notice because, as
we have said, it was made by anegro.
Lynch, it is true, has also made a
speech, but it was in a Republican
caucus, in which he declared that no
matter how bad the Republican par
ty might be the negroes would stick
to it, because it had given them ''free-
dom" Old Daddy" Cain is noted
character at home in South Carolina,
where much of his time is consumed
! in defending bimselfin suits brought
against him for alleged corrupt prac'
tees. He is Methodist preacher
edits small religious and political
weekly paper, which is a curiosity in
literature, and would drive Josh Bill
lings wild with envy if he should see
it,, and is generally regarded as
good-humored aud using ole
darby.
i Rainey is a Charleston ex-barber
who abandoned trade in which he
stood first among all competitors tt
become q statesman without reputa
ton. Walls and Ransier are plausl
BILE, talkative young negroes who con
troll the colored politics of their res
pective localities. The six picket
men Of the negro race sitin Congress
as mere lay tigures-sit there appar
emily on sufferance, nodded at patron
izingly by a causal Republican mem
Der and ignored almost wholly by thu
rest of the House. What are we t.
learn from this failure of the uegrt
in statecraft? Shall we put it to
gether with chat failure Of the negr.
| Youths at West Point and the incon
spicuous positions reached by ne
! groes who have entered the learned
professions, and conclude that tn
race, as awhole, is incapable Of ris
i. ing much above the intellectual av
erage which has characterized i
since it has been known in history
Or shall we accept the plea of it
: particular friends and believe that
J is emerging from it's childhood ant
: needs only the white mans fort,
2 centuries of culture and experienc
to rival him in his intellectua
!, achievements? The question is on
= Of Importance, because it bears upoi
the immediate future ofour politics
our social condition, and our mater
ial prospcrity.-[N. Y. World.
~~~~~~~~>Os~-~>--~~~
! The True. PATH.-Amid the con
= fusion, doubt and hesitation which
$ seems to exist among small minor
$ ity Of the white people of Louisian
: under what banner they shall enlis
: and fight our common foe, and an au
E fully hard one, to head at that, ther
e are some Of that minority still tn
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