The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-10-03
WHITE LEAGUE INTIMIDATION.

WHITE LEAGUE INTIMIDATION.
It Affects Democrats as Well as Repub.
I icans---Lberal Sentiments Cropping
Out in Spite Of IT'D Domination. ]
It is claimed, and the CHIEF has
upheld the proposition, that the vi
olent White League element embraces
neither a majority or the best citizens
of the Democratic persuasion in the
Southt but that species of intimida-
ton, less sanguinary, perhaps, but
quite as effective as that used against
Republicans, is brought into play by
the hot-heads and shotgun logicians
of the White Mans Party to secure
at least passive acquiescence in their
excuses from the more staid and
fairly: disposed members of the organ
ization. Evidence of this iptimi6la-
ton is found in the card of G.. J. G..
Pnckette, Esq. of NatcilitOches-an
extract FROM which was published in
the CHIEF last week--wherein he re-
fers to the villifcation, ostracism and
opprobrium to which he has been
subjected for simply expressing his
conviction that the declaration Of a
race issue was unwise, and that a
more effective and just method Of
prosecuting the campaign would be
to unite with the conservative ell
ement Of the dominant party, rather
than resort to armed force to brow
beat and silence opponents. Mr..
Puckette was a prominent member of
the Fusion party i'll 1872, and was
its candidate for the State Senate in
the Natchitoches district. He has
always been a conservative, and his
interests were thoroughly identified
with the opposition to the Republic
can party, but notwithstanding this,
he has been forced to retire from any
further participation in the present
campaign by the intolerant persecu-
ton OF the young hotspurs who argue
with the shotgun and revolver and
brook no contravention of their
shallow ideas from friend or foe. And
Mr.. Puckette's is not a solitary case.
If other Democrats in North Louisi-
ana possessed the candor and cour-
age to speak their true sentiments,
we should have such an exposition of
the feeling among the best class of
the white population as would sur
prise the country and make it matter
of wonder that the White Leagues
have been able to secure the domilla-
ton they exercise SO completely. and
unscrupulously. 4
In those parishes where the League
spirit does not flourish with such lux
uriance, the conservative leaders are |
less reticent, and public deprecations
OF the platform Of doctrines enun- |
GATED at Baton Rouge are quite fire.
qucnt. Such men as Hon. w. f.
Herman of West Feliciana, candidate
for Attorney General on the Liberal
State ticket two. years ago, Hon. Eff
Lawrence of Plaquemines,
Fusion nominee for Congress in the
FIRST District, G. J. Barker, Esq. of
Lafourche, Fusion candidate for Rep
Hon. Taylor Beattie Of
Lafourche, Fusion Senatorial nomi-
ace, and Others, have published let
'ers i'll which the Baton Rouge error
s plainly demonstrated and the
proper road to honorable success
pointed out. The letter of Mr.. Bar
ler, which appears in the Thibodaux
sentinel OF September 18th, expresses
o concisely the views of all the gen.
lemen named that we reproduce the !
extract and commend it's
'erusal:
The constitutional amendments are neither
lslonary nor imaginary enaetments; they {
re inc LII" OF the land, and embodied in |
hat instrument which gave birth to this
onntry. In view OF these stubborn facts is
not suicidal to organize antagonislns on
ccount OF color! Social equality will reg
late itself unitication and moderation IN :
olitics will redeem our Louisiana. / have
that my condition, position, and
tntlments, were neither understood nor an
reciated i'll the premises. 1t has been NV 7
IT to sacrifice {; great deal for my country, ;.
nd would willingly contribute as much .
lore to see her legitimately placed where il
he deservedly should be, but it can not be $
one by terrorism nor by prescribing Ger
I'm class OF people. Intolerance, egotis1n,
nd wild counsels have lasted too long, out. t
'geous causes are furnished, and 1.-THE peo- II
e bear the brunt of incendiary teachings :
have determined therefore to stand on the
road and no,t 1,fOscriDiue platform of mi |