New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-08-21

treating American citizens, vino are en-.
gagged in the peaceful business Of tiling
their native soil, and providing the means
of subsistence for themselves and families,
and for their oppressors as well. The
White Leaguers want something more Of
the negro than his labor, the fruits Of
which they find no difficulty in reaping and
enjoying. They want his vote, to be cast as
they shall dictate, and failing to secure
that, they would deprive him Of his fran
chise altogether. A mans vote is clearly
his own property, which be should never
part with except in exchange for the con-
sideration contemplated by law, viz: pro-
lection for his life, liberty and home. 10
extort his vote by intimidation or purchase
is to commit one Of the highest political
crimes. Now, it will be observed, that IN
this new war which has sprung up IN
Louisiana, the Republicans are purely on
the defensive. They readily concede to
their political opponents perfect freedom
Of choice in suffrage, and claim the same
for themselves. But this just claim is dis
puted in all manner of ways. The White
Leaguers assume monopoly Of the title
citizen-leaving the inference that all
others are outsiders. And their leaders and
organs are using their best endeavors to
hound the unthinking multitude on in a
crusade against inofensive Republicans,
who have refused to promise acquiescence
in their extraordinary demands.
But the Republican party has nothing
to fear, no matter how the White Leaguers
may shape their war. If there can be a
perfectly fair election, we can easily over
throw the hordes Of hungry ofice-seeking
Democracy. If violence is to be pro-
claimed, the Republican party has the
physical strength to meet the issue.
Every White Lacquer in the State is well
aware that hostilities will not be inaugu-
rated by the colored people, but few Of
them are aware Of the lengths to which
proceedings would be carried were the
te1rors Of the plantation hands to be once
aroused. Such conflict would be very
unequal one, and result in the greatest
disaster that ever befel this State. We
have little fear that such an issue will
ever be forced. The whites dare not
make it, since it would render their posi-
ton worse than it has ever been before.
Besides, an absolute victory for them
would be as bad as a defeat, since the
plantations would be depopulated of all
that makes the fertile acres valuable-the
skilled labor of the only people that can
be depended on to work at any price.
In this connection we notice that when
ever it is necessary to make showing on
paper by way Of model for some wavering
ward or clique in this city, the country
papers furnish to order voluminous &C.
counts of shocking outrages, for the pur-
pose Of making the lukewarm believe
their brethren elsewhere are striking for
their rights" whatever that may mean.
But when the logical consequences Of
such violence are shown up by the REPUB-
L1cAN, the very parties who put the stories
afoat are the most active in hunting up
evidences that they are false. 1t thus
the characteristics of a game Of
bluff, with most determined intention to
bet at the beginning and subsequent
mild laying down of hands.
The Republicans are purely on the de-
fensive, and we hope there may be found
enlightenment and courage among them
to protect themselves, but to 60 no fur
Their. They should in no case 60 further
than to repel attacks, but this should be
done in such manner as to discourage
renewals. In no case should the enemy
be sought or pursued. This line Of policy
will need 10 leaders, since every man can
be is own.
If the White Leaguers can outvote US
fairly, the day will be theirs, and there
will be no resistance. But if they can
the extraordinary means they
are :esorting to to annihilate the Re-
publican vote indicate well grounded
fear of their own weakness-then there is
no help for it but submission. Revolution
may be tried, but as Mr.. Seward once
warned the hot-headed Southern polit-
icians, where ballots fail, bullets are not
likely to succeed, since those who vote
IAN or should defend their ballots in any
md every way.
EVERYTHING BY TURNS AND NOTHING
LONG.
The moot question Of the present time
S, whether Shreveport is virtuous, law
.biding town, or the resort of wicked
,ordes Of the red-handed persuasion. We
ire not without abundant evidence to sus-
ain both propositions. On the ninth Of
August the REPUBLICAN published what
to be a succinct account Of
acts of violence, which was GER
iied to as correct by two hundred per-
IONS, real or imaginary. In reply to this,
he Times Of that somewhat unsettled
community gave fat denial. But that
paper hardly possesses character enough
% produce an arrest of judgment in case
wherein it is so evidently an interested
party, and little or no effect was created
oy its rabid denial.