The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-11-17
PEou.nlIilAln1r1Rs OF THE CoIron1Rp PoiE;r:.. !.

PEounIAR1r1Rs OF THE CoLoRRD PoEr.
uo1AN.-A special correspondent Of the
Now York Tribune, writing from New
Orleans. throws some light on the poll.
tical charaoteristics Of the negroes, and
on the feeling OF the Southern whites
toward the blacks. His experience
seems to have been confined to Louisi-
ana, but his observations on the feel
ing OF the whites in that State towards
the colored might probably be ex.
tended to the Whole of the South.
The writor remarks that the whites
speak uniformly with kindness and
friendliAcss OF the blacks, but, us any
one acquainted with the usual charac.
teristics of the negro race might ex-
pect, they add that the poor blacks
have been misled; that, considering
their Ignorance, it WAS impsssible they
should not have been n.-ied; that their
political associations have had bad
influence upon them that they have no
self-control aud n noindependeuce. o They
do not accuse the negro of malice or
of innate depravity of nature. Their
mistakes arc attributed mainly 10 ig-
norarcc aud misplaced confidence.
Tho obstacles in the way OF tho self.
assertion OF the negro urc greater than
any one not acquaintc with the conai-
tion of Southern politics can have any
idea Of. OAth-bound leagues exist for
tho sole purpose Of preventing their
dcsertion of the Republican party.
They are led to believe thut their free
dom depends OIL the supremacy of the
Republican party in the politics of the
country. Not the negroes, but the
white meu who have misied them are
objects Of tho Southern white mans
wrath. Tho church in the South is q
powerful auxiliary of the league in the
Interests Of tue Republican party
fhe rural negro minister makes a
strange mixture OF the cause Of Christ
and of the Republican party. He eau
not always separate the one from the
other. Says tue correspondent of the
Tribune:
"Political announcements are mad.
ut religious gatherings. and religions
announcements at political gatherings.
Election tickets are sometimes distri-
buted by the very officers now who
circulate the buskets to receive contri-
buttons for the support of the church
and the pastor. In some churches
prayers are offered for the success of
the Republican party with almost as
must regularity as prayers for the con-
version of the world. In nn exciting
campaign the people are warned, un-
der fearful penalties, against political
apostacy; tue sermon becomes politi
cal harnngue, and party fellowship is
openly made prerequisite for fellow.
ship IN tho church. In the campaign
OF 1872 very intelligent head man )
on sugar plantation. which visited
the ether day, realizing the obligations
OF his race to Mr.. Greeley. informed
his employers that Lo Intended to
vote the Greeley ticket. Az the man
was truthful, his employer did not
doubt his sincerity, but, knowing the
dlllcuities in the way. watched with
interest to zee if he would carry ont his
honest intention. On the day of the
election the negro came to him in evi-
dent trouble. Mass - said he, Il
told you [ was gwine vote for Greeley,
and If you keep mo to de promise I'll
do it. shunh. But it's hard work, snhI
Hard work. shuah! Being pressed to
an explanation, he finally stated that
there bad been big meeting al the
neighboring chnrch on the day before,
and that brother Simon. the preacher,
had openly threatened to excommuni-
cate uny man voting against the Re
publican ticket. He was released from
his promise, went with the crowd to
the polls aud voted with the crowd,
aud it is hardly possible that he will
ever be free from the shackles forged
by the patty and fastened on by The
church"
The Republican npostu!e is said to
be ostraciscd, also. by negro society,
deserted by his former companions,
and treated like traitor. Even his
wife has been known to abandon him
because she would not live in house
with "nigger Democrat. There
Onu be but littla hone of fha po1if;c.l