The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-04-17
ANOTHER WRINKLE.


Heretofore the blacks have been ac-
cused of putting on the hostility.
We are no prophet, o the son OF
one but this issue has been tried be-
fore, and failed. It put us deeper into
those very evils of which the writer of
this communication complains. We do
not think the people of this parish arc
just now prepared to again Indulge in it.
They have had some relief by the re-
dnction of taxation and they feel the
great necessity of making a crop this
year. The active Inauguration of the
issue proposed by this gentlemen would
d~isorganize our agricultural labor and
the material salvation of the country
depends ON that, not on the "white VS..
black" issue. The country white peo-
Pile who have very little to do with
the dirty" business of politics, and
who make good crops, with the assis-
tance of the blacks, can well afford to
make no such issue, but let the politi-
clans fight it ont among themselves.
This issue will not be d general one,
and if it were q proper one in some
places, there is no necessity for it here.
The "blaeksn were better organized
and stronger six years ago. than they
have ever been since; and this parish
has not been hurt much by their hold
ing Office. There is not a colored office
holder in it. Some of the school board
are eolored, and there are plenty of
white men who would make worse
school directors. An honest, intelligent,
industrious colOred man (and we know
some such in this parish, who are
gentlemen Withal1,) is certainly a better
citizen than a white man who possesses
none Of these good qualities, (and we
have some such, who are professional
law breakers in the bargain.) Some of
our best and most substantial citizens
are colored men, and, paying taxes,
they are inst as DESTROYS of correcting
political abuses as white taxpayers.
We do not see the reason therefore of
their being crowded out by any such
lnchristian and impoIitic crusade as
white VS.. black
Amy man can vote for white candi-
dates only, without being compelled to
do 50 by the partylash but afternearly
every white voter voted for black can
didate for Secretary Of State, on the Fu-
sion ticket, at the last general election,
and considering the evident combina-
tion between the pure Democratic party
and the colored Republicans here at that
election, we do not sec the consistency
Of this sudden. shift or commensurate.
The danger in the way Of this new party
IL, that too many of them win want Of
flee. But if any of them are elected.
how are they going to make the oath of
office which they viii be compelled to
take tally with the principles Of the
white Mans Party?" This oath of
Office has been taken by all who have
held office in this State since RECONSTRUCT
zion, and it prevents their even joining
such q party. These oaths are on f1e in
the office of Secretary of State. We
quote from the oath as follows
5tttI accept the civil and political eatlali-
tn of all men, and agree not I'd attempt
to deprive any person or persons on nc
count OF race. color, O il previous cOndi-
tlofi, OF any political or civil right, priv
ileges or immunity enjoyed by any other
class of men. That / will support the
Constitution and laws of The United
States and theE Constitution and laws of
this State etc.
Now if a man has to lay his political
principles aside when he goesinto Office,
lie had better let those principles alone
attirst. No white mans party man can
take this oath, which all Office holders
have III take, without violating hisparty
principles. III white mel prefer to vote
for white men, no zone will object to it;
but there are achite men who do not car
TO vote for other Objectionable white
me for no other reason than that these
latter say they represent a white mans
party. White mans party candidates
can pack conventions and have themsel-
YES nominated as well as other party
candidates. We have no objection to
any man or many men calling himself
or themselves Ii white mans party, pro
plded they do not interfere NTH nc rights
OF others. There are plenty of white
men III the country, and we want t0pick
ours III vote for-and not be made To vote
Tor anyone that may be stuck MP for.
Office en- a sO-called white ticket.
Referring again To the question OF
Office, what blacks hold office here /?
when did q black held Office here? In
tie election III 1872, the whites were
divided, their candidates we're legion,
but no coIored men were elected. Last
winter an election was held to fiji d
Vacancy I'M the Legislature, and John
Sihlms, colored was elected, and we
have not heard that III conducted him.
self differently in office from his white
gompatriots. The whites could have
easily defeated him by voting, which
they did not take the trouble to do
many voted fer him, we were informed.
No eelored candidates have yet an
notneed themselves, and very few
probably will. for some of tho less inn
pogtant Offices. Of course they will
want to be represented iii The legisIa-
tures
There Is amity between the white
and colOred people DC this parish nov,
aud we want to see it continue. The
blacks win DO no such foolish thing