The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-08-08
ORIG n OF THE BLACK LIE AGUE IN
THE STATE OF MISS. S3IPPI.
Union Brotherhoods, Etc.

Inc ftepucl can SneetS OF the NOrtn, ~
ceping the mendacious reports of their South
ern coadJutors, have persistently misreprt
sented every effort made by the white peopl
of the South to secure an honest election an
administration. And in no one particula
have they labored more strenuously than the
rave to create false impression concernin
the object of the "White Leauge," ignorin
the fact that q counter league on the part 9
the blacks has existed ever since the year 1866
A brief history Of the origin Of the Blacl
Lea que in the State of Mississippi m y con
tribute, in some measure, to correct the opin
ions formed in consequence of these falls
statements.
Soon after the close of the war the Soutl
was flooded with a class of adventures whs
disco 7ered in the ignorance and superstition
Of tee negro, q sure means Of elevating alit
enriching themselves They began by alarm
ing their dupes " til reports that the whit,
men intended to deprive them of theil
recently-acquired liberties that they were re
solved to grant them no privileges under the
| law, and that all their efforts were being
| directed to the end Of reducing them again tt
slavery. Under the specious pretext Of pro
viding maintenance for widows, orphans aud
snperannuated negroes, they organized socie-
ties which We're given the name of s'Union
BrOtherhoods. Small sums of money were
purpose Of providing benevolent fund, but,
in reality, to further the ends OF their carpet
bag leaders,
These brotherhoods were soon transformed
into secret organizations, and assumed the
name Of "Black League" Imposing upon
the credulity and superstition of the negroes,
they bound them by the most terrible oath>
to secrecy; and instructed them in signs,
pass words, and all the other forms OF secret
orders So thoroughly under the control OF
these leagues we're the members, and even
those who were not members, that they dare
not take the responsibility of acting indie
pendently Of their instructions. When the
Constitution of 1868 was defeated, by a ma
jority Of 1000, in Missis sippi, numbers of ne
groes we're prevailed upon, and assurances o,
protection against outrage from their fellow
negroes, to vote against it. They trembled
as they polled their vote. and invariably ex-
claimed that they looked for protection to the
white people. In many instances they were
really attacked and their lives threatened,
while. at the same time, they were upbraidet
With having violated their oaths. In all SUBJ
sequent elections not one Of them has dared
70 vote contrary to the direction of his league
lust before election a courier passes from
plantation to plantation, and reads An edict
to be an address from the Central
Republican Committee. but what in reality is |
secret order from the headquarters, Of the |
eague
The Black League Of Mississippi has long
'een, in effect, military organization. The |
members have denied themselves, in many |
the necessaries of Life, in order to |
'rocure arms and ammunition. Negro minis
ers, from their pulpits, denounce dire judy
aents upon those who have the rashness to
ct for themselves, and hurl denunciations
gainst the white people eff the most incen-
iary character. Religion is prostituted to
arty ends, and prayers are addressed to the
lefty. breathing vengeance and hatred against
40 white race. Now let the Radical press OF
1e North investigate this matter. Let them
cquaint themselves with the machinery of
,eir party in the South and for the love of
lstice and consistency devote its columns to
second time the pets of its
arty. Let them raise the cry Of intimida-
on, and call in requsition the powers Of the
Increment act to secure to the Black
eaguers the free exercise of suffrage
That fyraaf moral enrina the RnI rr1r con, |