New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-05-16
The RRou1KsMBhTs OF LEADsRsHIp.

an article headed "Colored Demagogues.
The fact that Mr.. Douglass adopts thi'
article without comment is proof that b.
approves it and desires its PRONUNCIATION
for the benefit of the colored race in whose
behalf it was especially written, as thu
heading clearly indicates. Nor shoulo
this notice of colored demagogues excite
the especial wonder of any person a.
this time, for it will be apparent
upon reflection, that until within
few years past the country only
knew white demagogues. 1t was they
who bred faction, and finally encouraged
it's strong arm to strike at the integrity Of
the American Union and the power OF
the national government welded in de-
Tense of freedom and Republicanism; it
was they who melted civil war for the
extension and perpetuation Of slavery, and
brought on the food Of evils that usually
follow in the train of war. But God did
not permit the wrongs that white dema-
gogues brought upon the land to go unre-
lieved by some good results, the principal
of which was the emancipation of over
four million of coiored people, and
their final advancement to all the
rights of citizenship. Until the pc
Rod when the former slave was
made a citizen colored demagogues
had no existence in the United States; but
time has since demonstrated that dema-
gogism is no longer confined to the white
race in this republican or democratic
country. The Washington Republican and
the Ne,c National Era are convinced that
colored men are not behind their white
brethren in learning and practicing the
arts of the demagogue. Upon this sub
ject the Republican says the experience Of
the past ten years, during which the col
ored people have been exercising and learn
ing to exercise the rights Of citizenship,
has taught it to believe that when
colored man Of average intel
ligence starts out on career Of
demagogism he is certain of marked sue
cess. We choose to construe the language
here used as denoting the aptitude OF the
coiored man for learning and practicing
the arts of the demagogue rather than ar
irving at any marked success in an honor
able political career; and we are led to this
conclusion from the fact that the Repub-
Ecan continues the subject by reminding
its readers that it has been the steadfast
and consistent friend Of the colored race,
and will continue so as long as any con-
troversy exists regarding the enjoyment
by them of political or civil rights; yet ad-
monishing the colored people that it has
not closed its eyes to their faults,
it claims the right, in consider
alton of its friendship for them
to speak plainly of that which ap-
pears a growing evil-the evil of dema-
gogism. Upon this subject the Republican
advises the colored people to be on their
guard against impostors of their own
color whose pretentious claims to public
consideration can only be sustained by
the boldest and most selfish demagogism.
All well thinking citizens, regardless Of
color or previous condition, will not only
sanction the above advice so far as
it relates to colored demagogues,
but will extend it for the pur-
pose of including an admonition against
white ones as well. Our Washington
contemporary admits that white men
rarely meet in public assembly for the
purpose of serving any especial object Of
self or general interest without developing
a difference of opinion regarding the man.
ner Of its accomplishment; but this ad-
mission is followed by the assertion that
no similar meeting of colored citizens has
occurred in the District of Columbia of
late years which has not been attended
by the same differences, exaggerated into
contests, personal chickering's and mali
cious squabbles that can only be charac-
terized as disgraceful to the race and dis
creditable to their sense of self
respect. In support Of this the paper
in question refers to the boisterous con-
fusion and heated debates that took place
10 the Colored National Convention re-
Gently held in Washington, and says that |
the excited threats of some of the dele
gates were well calculated to disgust the
law abiding looker-on Of either race, and |
add strength to the Democratic argument
that the colored people are unfit for the !
exercise of their newly acquired privileges.
Mention is also made of a most disgrace
full scene that more recently occurred at |
4 meeting of colored men in Washington
10 consider the death of Mr.. Sumner, a
nan whose life had been so conspicuously
devoted to reason and justice that to at
;empt to consider it in any other light was
, disgrace to him but to the race
hat had been raised to the condition of
reemen, and through the example of the
great benefactor they would honor, had
been taught the necessity of the exercise
If reason in order to perform properly the
luties of citizens 1t is this want of reason
N the part of those who contrive to get
before the public by becoming delegates
o convention, or thrusting themselves
n meeting as the representatives of the
'olored people, that is sought to be con-
lemned. The REPUBLICAN has faith that
he majority of our colored people ear
testify strive to deserve the reputation of
,eing virtuous, honest and law-abiding,
,Ut thinks that colored demapoores thrive |