The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-08-09
Black Government.

While we are writing, the negroes who
inhabt this State are assembled in council
at the State House, through their repre-
sentatives, to organize systematically the
future details of their war upon the whites
They are determined to rule this State as
class. They have drawn the lines of con
test as strictly and closely as it is drawn be-
tween factions in cases of civil war. If
ever there was realized such thing as a
political unit resulting from a class combi-
nation, it is now seen among the negroes of
Louisiana. They are organized with q
perfection truly astonishing. Their club
is to them temple of worship-an oracle
of inspiration. The fanatical followers of
the yelled prophet never adhered to their
leader with more unquestioning devotion,
with more eager enthusiasm, than the blind
mob of Africans manifest in their frenzied
worship of their political creed.
1t has been found impossible to separate
them. The farest and most tempting
offers have been made by white leaders.
Efforts have been made to compromise on
the ground of dividing the offices with
the colored people. Every overture has
been rejected with a stubbornness as
marvellous as it was unreasoning. They
were determined to make no concession, no
compromise. If some few, through superior
intelligence and better feeling, appeared
occasionally to be Influenced to a wiser
course, it was but a temporary lucid
interval. They gradually slipped away
from white association and when the day
to vote came round they always turned up
with the negro ticket in hand. In a few
cases when all argument and persuasion
had been found unavaling to separate
conservative negro voters from their white
allies, they have been threatened with
frightful consequences aud bullied back
into the clubs which they had deserted. |
And instances are not unknown of Il fataloi
fultiment of such threats by the assassina
ton of those who would not finally yield.
The result has been negro government
for Louisiana during n number of years,
and the result of that has been ruin and
paralysis. The question then arises
Ought a white people to be ruled by a
black majority7 Ought any ore State of
this Union to be under negro government |
We leave the answer to those who dis
cuss the philosophy of suffrage, but we say
this unhes!tatingly, that in practise, mol
one State of this Union would submit to |
negro rule, no matter how great the negro |
were it not coerced into submits
sion by outside force. Federal bayonets
can maintain negroes in control, but GER
tainly they could not sustain themselves
though they were five to one, nay ten to
one. -
But revolutions are always unwise un-
less they are going to be successful.
Though theWhite race in this State has, in
'he opinion of many, an undoubted right
% rise in arms against the fearful despotism
hat is crushing it under irreparable ruin,
such a course cannot be counseled by any
discreet person at this time. Popular SEN
,iment throughout the country at large is
lot ready for that yet. 1t is indeed rapid.
y arriving at some conception of the real
ase, but when that day actually comes
Vhen our people could, if necessary, forci-
'ly assert their rights,-there will be no
onger any necessity for it. The national
Import which has stimulated the negro
madness being withdrawn, their insolent
hirst for domination will pass away with