The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-06-26

'7Fi OPELOusAS. juno 22d, 1874.
Messrs. Garland, HIdspeth and others: -
Gentlemen-Yonr propositions of the 10th
inst, have been received.
In reply, we beg to remind You that in your
challenge of May 18th, you say We hereby pro
pose to meet any and all its white Leagie) ad-
vocates at such times and places as they 1.-THE
White League) may select TO discuss, before orr
fellow Pensioners the pr0priety of forming such
an organization"
That We accepted this challenge on certain
conditions, all of which you unequivocalIy re-
jected, not deigning either TO make counter
propositions or to treat with us in any manner
whatever. $685. .--..
That considering you had closed all negotia-
ton as to the conditions of the debate proposed
by YOU, we therefore, III reply. to your last com
munication, used the following language, ave
beg to inform you. since you disclose no wish
to treat with us, that IRE will call Il meeting of
the vhite citizens of this parish to assemble at
the town Of Opel0usas, ON the 4th day of July
next, to discuss the questions at issue between
u.s."
That we then rendered to YOU and any others
wishing to do so. an invitation TO meet us on
that occasion i'll debate. That in pursuance of
this declaration of our intention to call a meet
ing on the 4th July, we caused TO be inserted in
the OpelOuSas Courier, the following notice:
"PUBL1 MEETING.'
ga public meeting of the white citizens of St.
Landry will be held at Opelousas, July 18th, to
discuss the principles of the White League. and
issues it presents TO the country. =
4DH VIII i11tItiOEb ItnuilA understand mat
after having first challenged us to Il debate, and
after having declined any discussion of the
terms and conditions of that debate. as proposed
by us, or to propose any other terms or eondf-
tons, suitable to yourselves, and after .e have
called the meeting and fixed the time and place
for the discussion. as allowed us in your original
challenge, and after having waited until the 10th
of June, twenty days after you We're made
aware of the meeting to he called, we were not
1t little surprised at the extraordinary. PROPOSE
tions contained in your last communication
Dammit nc II Gtt- fhn+ nv r1fSI= - - IL
understood that VIC desire nothing so much as n
free and full discussion of what You are pleased
to term the ~"propliety" of the White League,
and we are not disposed to interpoSe any Oh
~stacles, or any unnecessary cavilling about mn
important matters but having taken the initfa-
tive, having called this meeting on the 4th I'M
der the auspices of our organization.
We regret the necessity of informing YOU that
we can not, and will not, under any cireuIu-
stances, consent to yonr having any control
over d meeting called by lis. Neither can we.
consent to your sharing the expenses of q Bar
becuc, nor to drawing lots to decide the order
of debate, these propositions being simply q
necessary part of the first.
We therefore reject, Internationally the LIST.
Sd and 9Th propositions, and accept the I'd and
4th, on condition that the discussion be closed
by lis. To you we concede the opening. if Won
desire il. Meanwhile you earnest assured that,
outside of Your singular claim to share equally
in controlling the meeting, we will extend to
You every courtesy due on such occasions, and
especially endeavor to secure yo'i e patient and
We have only to add that the audience il to
be composed of white citizens" None others
are. either invited or expected to attend. This
is~a condition we insist upon without qualIfica-
ton. Respectfully submitted, ft#f1'
IA. TAYLOR,
EFT. LEWIS.
t IT, 5Fi WILLIS PRESCOTT,
q RI DuPRE,
d@-5a. I. D. PRESCOTT,
NJ. d. KAy4NAGH. 81
OPEEoUSAs. ,T1ne odd, 1874. F
Messrs. Ell Lewis,J j. A. Taylor and others:
Gentlemen-Yours. of this date, in reply to
ours of the 10th, has been received. Whilst pro-
testing against what we consider an unjust ar
Iailgement for the discussion proposed by us,
yet, as we deem it all important that the dis
cussi0n shall take place, We accept yOHr counter
proposition, and will be prepared with the num-
her of speakers agreed upon.
- Respectfully yours, ete.,ssI
5sa HENRY T.. GARLAND.
a GEORGE w, HUDsPETH.
f f8N. L. PERRoDTS;
5J 5E JON f. KING,
'RtA ~ Ha e. ID. ESTILETTE,
j. A, MARTEL,
ti1 w. A.. ROBERTSON,
rs SOS EEf