American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-08-29
ommunaSated.
RnI eeLeR LINE.

bership, feel that the views which
! am now about to express must
considering the present tones of the
Democratic and Republican press
the moro readily receive endorse
ment from an organ of the latter
than of the former party. have
noticed the 6berality with which
you have proffered your columns to
even thO'e who may may differ from
you, very properly taking the
groEnd that no harm can arise from
. free and open airing of all issues,
and a fair and generous discussion
of all questions that may come be-
fore the public.
For once, at least. on one ques-
ton, do l find my views more in
accord with what l see of the Re-
publican, than of the Democratic,
press. am Mlssissippian by birth,
and this has ever been my home.
Deeply do l regret it, if differ in
my views and sentiments from those
with whom l have ever affiliated;
but, surely, did I entertain honest
convictions that those to whom my
affections cling, are inconsiderately
and hastily being carried away by
q policy that threatens ruin to the
country, blood>shed and devasta-
ton. surely, say, if such he my
convictions, 1t becomes my duty to
show, if 1 can, good cause for such
CONVICTION.
I am sure that hosts of rejecting
and calm thinking Southern men
will agree with mo in regarding
with the deepest concern the ques>
ton of q race issue, the drawing of
what Is termed the "color line"
Think Of what must be the ultimate
result OF such an issue! How can
there he peaceful elections, or tran
quill government, on any such basis
unless the one part. be in complete
subsection, or awe, of the other I
What can we look forward to uIti
mately but chsOs, q reign of violence
and anarchy
But. it is answered, if it does
come to a war of races, the whites
must by their superior courage and
overcome the blacks.
Suppose we grant this to be so, yet
l cannot subscribe to any such be-
lief as that that the putting down
of the blacks, with their 25, 900 ma
jority in this State would prove u
holiday pastime. Think what
bloody work they could do in uu-
districts, where they stand
IN q ratio of Ave, or ten, or even
fifteen to onel Think OF families
to hatchery; of rapine,
violence, bloodshei, house-burning,
and ruin, which must
attend such 4 contest, even though
the whites prove triumphant, and
say who. for the sake of sach tri-
amph, is willing to encourage the
bare thought OF such a conflict. l
need not refer to the minor cOnsid-
GRAFTON of the utter disOrganizatiOn
Of our labor system. which must he
. result; of untitled fields, the want
that must come upon a people al
ready bankrupt. This is not so
much to be considered as the more
startling and fearful pictures of
what may be the fate Of the whites,
women aud children, who reside in
those portions of country where
they canuOt be protected by organ
lied forces. put the picture PLAIN
ly, because the repeated demands
for ''the color line" the growing
strength of the party who favors
the race issue calls for the PLAIN
of the consequences
Of such au issue.
But upon still another ground
would l most strenuOusly oppose
the Color Line contest. In the
name OF humanity and justice 1
oppose it. Leaving out Of view the !
barbarous question OF the utter ex-
the blacks AN a race, l do
prOtest against their being deprived
Dt one jOt or title of the rights they
now enjoy. The right OF suffrage
% their defence-withOut it they are
helpless; and though they may
have often made an unwise use OF
this right, though they have often
voted without the exercise of judy
ment and discretion, yet do not
believe that for this their right of
suffrage should be taken fiOn
them, or its full and free exercise
in the least. Rather let
rs await the course of an education
and trainlng-and contribute to-
ward it, tOO-which will in time |
enable them to fill more creditably
their duty rs citizens
But, it is said again: s'The whites
have endeavOred to tempOrize and
the blacks long enough.
Let us now try the other policy i!
Let's rake the race issue! Let the |
cry be that this must be q white
mans country! The negroes them
selves have drawn the Color line
let US promptly answer the de-
mand u
And, Mr.. Editor. because a set
Of poor, ignorant men have lailed
10 vote the Democratic tickse when
and have rather Voted as
the Republicans, whom they regard.
ed as their deliverers, advised,
think you they should all be extin-
guished, annil,ilated, exterminatedf |