New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-08-29
Sensible Suggestions from n Colored Man.
RHLLEvIEw PLANTATION
Above Franklin, La, August IS, 1874.
Editor REPURLICAN:

ADOFt FGdIhilH, Ld., august 20 1914. }
EDITOR REPUBLICANS:
Some articles OF White League charac-
ter having appeared in the Franklin Enter
prise, l should like to say few words
about them, and also of the communication
of r. L. Pruyn and c. r. Davis, Offering in
ducemenrs to white immigrants. can not
say that these gentlemen are unable TO per-
form their promises, but it seems TO me the
object is only to procure votes at the elec-
ton, and not to secure permanent settlers
When they have carried their point they
will turn -he cold shoulder to the mmi
grants But if they desire harmony among
the races, and wish to secure conservative
government which would DO Justice to
all, why do they not offer the colored
people one.1ourth of these inducements!
But the. offer must be made with
clean hands, in all sincerity, and not
to endure only until after the election, and
then be broken; not IS a campaign docu-
ment to be repudiated; not by pretending
| to be our friends, aud at the same time kill
| ing an old negro or two, and letting the
| equally guilty white man escape; nor by
keeping US local partisan distrust and hate
| by White Leagues and the violence perpe-
| trate6 by unpanisEed members of them
| This has oeen tie Old way the whites have
| tried to gain the colored vote. But try a
| new way. Don't tell the negro he is dishon-
| est and YOU have no use for him, but show
that you wish 70 do him justice; try fair
| dealing, and cast away the propensity to
| take advantage of his ignorance; treat him
as he deserves, individually, and rot hold
| him responsible for the faults of others. Do
this consistently and honestly, and in time
he will combine with the best men, regard.
less of party, and there will be as cOnserva-
tive government as can be desired.
The colOred man did not bring misfortune
| on the people. He IS not to blame Tor the
war which the South rushed into, nor was
| he even the instrument which gave him
freedom and citizenship. For Tie political
mistakes he has made he is to be pitied by
| the white people, not censured, for il was
| their conduct tha: caused him to make
! them. When the right of suffrage first
came to him ne was ignorant, but no
! ins.ruc ZION came 70 MIN from those VINO
had raised him and whom lie looked I'd
| to. They scorned him and his meetings
| ror would they vote with him, but tried 10
drive hIm from the polls. When they made
such grand mistake it was natural for
him 10 seek other friends. When those who
Ios;-o HIS 70 hoG
from Office show repentance for the mis-
takes and crimes of the past eight years,
the colored man will trust them.
We believe there are some good men
leading the White League whose objects
are good, and who have nc designs against
the black man. It is not .hem We are
afraid of Il is of those who have Joined
it with desperate Intentions; Tho believe
by crime they can rise in if; who are the
perpetrators Of the murders now so fre-
quent and the authors OF the AttatapGs
Register outrage, and whose creed is the 6e-
struct;on Of the colored man. These rights
we are bound 10 maintain. Eriranchise-
men-. citizenship, the privilege of free
schools, the acquisition OF properly and the
pursuit OF happiness are rights as dear to
us now as 10 the citizen vino never knew
the want q them.
We have many Incapable and corrupt
men in Office, but SO al political parties
have had. We desire TO be rid of them and
in this parish will bring ont good whole
some Republican ticket such as even a
White Lacquer, if he be truly conservative,
will have no objection to. We desire to
avoid disturbance and shall give no occa-
sion for it. TIE meetings will be less fre-
quent than before for repeated assembIages
are Injurious TO our own party. All we ask
from our friends of the other side, who 90
not believe we should be driven away,
destroyed or again enslaved, is justice, fair
dealing and an equal snow. When it is
evident we are 40 receive this there will
come 70 Us an era OF harmony that We have
long prayed for. w. W. H.