The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-07-31
NO Black Leagues Wanted.
From the New Orleans Times

We have referred to what we consider
the evil effectsof the formation of White
Leagues. There is also something to be
said per contra. Wedo not believe there
is an organized /" league for any pur-
pose among the cOlored people; if any
person has reliable evidence to that eff
feet We shall be very glad to receive it
and comment on it i'll proper terms. But
the clannish spirit manifested by them
in many lOcalitiesiS patent to everybody.
1t is not worth while to breach theories
in regard to the origin of this spirit; it
is sufficient that it exists, and is used by
the worst specimens of their race and
ours for purposes not at all necessary to
their tlf-prOtectiOn. 1t must be broken
dorm and abandoned BY the roiHHtdIy nc-
ton Of the blacks themselves, before they
| can hope for an abatement of the suspi-
ciOn and animOsity with which their pO-
| litical movements are regarded by Il
large majority of the white people. They
must cease to nominate and elect field
| hands, who have absolutely no sense of
right and wrong in public affairs, and
who have no other qualification than an
ability to stand up and pour out a cas-
cade of groteSqtle words, equally mean
ingiess to thcnlselveSand their auditors.
y club is formed, with George WASH
I II2IJbU lE tNluCIt, III ANhtIletLIlIl' lCCI
for secretary. These offices, by some
| mysterious. process, soon grow into
:" claims" which George and Nathaniel
urge upon the next nominating convcn-
ton with irresistible force, and their
names are hoisted us candidates with Il
sublime disregard OF their fitness and of
the wishes and interests of the people
whose mOlfcYtEey are to vote away, aud
whose contributions i'll taxes pay their
mileagefaHd per diem. stealages and
guudy clothes included. This policy
must cease. 1t has already summoned
up the White. League spectre, which is
travelling i'll seven-leaglle boots through
the State. We have opposed the latter,
and shall continue to do so, because we
are satisfied that the project is loaded
with lpisfortunes, and will leave, even if
it should achieve 4 temporary triumph,
tility Ii'trery parish in which it pre-
wallis, and because we believe there is Il
far better way out Of the difficulty. But
it is not III human nature for the prop
crty owners and taxpayers to- submit
~f0rGvcr'tU the exclusive. domination of
the most ignorant class, and pay heavy
taxes world without end, for the a9-
g1andiZelnent of colOred ~ignOramIIseS
utterly unfit for the positions to which
they aspire. II they are at all amenahlc
to reason, and have any regard for con
sequences, they will about-facc without
further delay. This is the way III which
they can better the situation of both
races. Letthcin nominate only property
owners and taxpayers OF fair reputation
and liberal ideas, who will guarantee
them absolute and full protection III the
enjoyment of, all their legal rights, and
whose elf-mterest, at'least, win deter
them from engagingi in schemes of plum
der. There are enough of such moder-
ate men who are not identified with the
White league and will not be. True,
to. such men the office is not worth hay
ing. The unbroken reign of plumber for
II series of years has made the mann of
legislator Il teprOach rather than an
honor But it is their imperative duty.
if nominated, not only to accept, but to
use their utmost eXeItions to secure an
election. These views will be hOOted at
in various quarters, but there are enough
people who believe in them to achieve a
substantial yictOryf for good government,
if they unite in IL bold, vigorous and lIar-
monious line. of action. ..m.;.s
Let the ,cOlOred people discardt the par
aphelnallay of conventions, and support
good men who run Independently Or if
they must caucus and nominate, ,fetthem
nominate such men aS.We have indica-
ted, and throw over the raScals who have
too long deluded them ~ IN this way only
can We hope for the peaceful triumph of
honesty, and good government.