Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-09-11
gelluws falls Timss,
BELLOWS FALLS, SEPT. IL, 1874.
The White Leagues in the South,

The White Leagues In tire So"tn
The conditions of Southern society to
day, If we may believe all the report;
that come to us, is infinitely worse than
it was at the close of the rebellion. Then
there was some disposition toward rec
onciliation scme inclination to accept
the issue of the bloody arbitrament in
good faith. The organization of the ku-
Klux clubs, whose atrocities and outrag
es form one of the dsrkest and bloodliest
chapters in the history of the country,
was the first symptom of disafiection and
ill.will. The treason crushed and beat
en- in the field, in open, armed rebellion,
re-asseried itself in midnight assassina'
ton and the most lswless violence. FL
nally, it was stamped out by the strong
arm Of the Government, and for time
we had peace. Unfortunately that peace
has been of short duration.
To-day every breeze from the South
tells us of the revival of the old spirit.
A reign of terror exists at the present
time in nearly every Southern State
The spirit which has cost the country SO
many precious lives, 80 much woe and
sorrow and suffering, so many millions
of treasure, has re-asserted itself in the
formation of clubs and political parties
whose doctrines and platforms are an
outrage upon the country. Take, for
instance, Louisiana. All over the State
the White League has been extended
and a war of races proclaimed, not only
against the blacks, but against every
man who dares to vote or act with them.
To give some idea of the diabolical de-
signs and purposes of this party we shall
quote-not the opinion of the Southern
Republican papers or politicians-but
of the White League organizations
themselves. The Natchitoches Vindica-
tor, in its issue of July IS, says: The
white people intend to carry the State
election this fall. This intention is de-
hberate and unalterable, from the fact
that their very existence depends upon
it, and that you may enjoy the blessings
which will naturally follow such an
event. We tell you now, and
let il be distinctly remembered, that you
have fair warning that we intend to car
ry the State Of Louisiana in November
next, or she will be military territory"
The meaning of this is unmistakable,
1t is a plain notification to the negroes
that II they attempt to go to the polls
they will be so treated that Federal in
reference will again be absolutely neces
sary to prevent outrage and murder.
The Shreveport Times, the principal
champion of the White Leagues, refers
as follows to the recent murder of poor
old negro There has been some red
handed work done in this parish that
was necessary, but it was evidently done
by cool, determined and just men, who
knew just how far to 60, and we doubt
not if the same kind of work is necessary
it will be done again" Speaking OF the
Grant parish massacre it says: I'VE
say again that we fully and cordially
approve what the white men of Grant
and Rapides did at Colfax. The white
man who does not is creature SO base
that he shames the worst of his species
The St. Mary White League Club, on
the 18th OF July, adopted a platform
from which the following is an extract
We regard it the sacred and political
duty of every member of this club tc
disccuntenance and socially prescribe all
white men who unite themselves with the
Radical party, and to supplant every pc
litical opponent in all his vocations by
the employment and support of thost
who ally themselves with the White
Mans party; and we pledge ourselves
to exert our energies and use our mean,
to the concentrating of this end"
The plain meaning of the platform o.
the White League of Louisiana is thai
no black man shall vote in that STATE
unless he votes with them; that no white
man shall live there who dares hold an
opinion opposed to their opinion. If, as
Is threatened, the forthcoming election
shall be conducted on these principles
if reign of murder is inaugurated, the
white leaders in Louisiana mistake tbt
temper of the North if they suppose i
will stand by with folded hands ant
sanction it, The White Leagues of tn,
South had better cry" halt Washing
ton Republican.