The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1874-07-11
The Barbecue on the Fourth

ClClEpnS w Z Httt uEbSEullcO 10 Hcct
in the Court House and have the discussion
there, Notwithstanding extensive preparations
had been made in shady grove near town for
a large attendance; but seven beeves and as
many sheep, already slaughtered and cooked,
aud an abundant supply of the staff of life,
proved too much of temptation, and we
finally concluded to take the chances and
forthwith marched to the ground. The wea-
ther was still threatening, but Notwithstanding
this there was between thousand and fifteen
hundred persons assembled by Ii o'clock. The
ladies OF course came, and were among the
most attentive listeners.
Dr. j. A. Taylor presided. After making a
few appropriate remarks, he introduced the
first speaker. Hon. f. D. Estilette, who led
OF among the opposition speakers. He, with
Messrs. Garland and Hudspeth, represented
the opposition, and Messrs. B. D. Tarlton, c.
II. Mouton and f. T. Lewis spoke in behalf of
the White League. We will not attempt to
give even synopsis of the speeches.
MIR. Estilette, we thought, made Republi-
can speech throughout, though claiming to be
Democrat. 1t struck US an unfortunate COM
bination of Greeley Democracy and Louisiana
Repubicansm, iu-suited to the times and still
less to the audience.
Mr.. Garland laid down his propositions and
reasoned like lawyer, as he is. He tried to
show that the negro could be conciliated, but
failed to convince the audience, SO far rs we
could judge, of the correctness of his position.
He assumed, without any proof whatever-and
we were surprised to see him do so-that the
mission of the White League was to deprive
the negro of his right to vote and hold office,
and went into an argument to show that it
could not be done. He claimed to be a Dem
oefat and to stand on the Baltimore platform,
denounced Kellogg and eonteGded that Nc
Emery was fairly elected. He even denied
that there were dissensions among the white
people, except for local Offices, which should
not be taken into consideration. His argu-
ment was built on false premises, and, of
course, fell to pieces upon q simple reading of
the platform OF the White League, which cx-
pressly denies. any intention to interfere with
the rights of the eolered people.
Mr.. Hudspeth pursued pretty much the
same line of attack, but did not claim to be
a Democrat. He preferred the policy and
ticket Of Fusion fame, and made an un-
successful effort to convince the white
people that they were hopelessly and
helplessly under the control Of the negro,
and that their only mode of escape was
by re-enaetment Of the Fusion farce. Assu-
ming this position to be correct, he illustrated
the necessity of compromise by running par
allel between our position and that of q gem
ara1 in nd Of " inf
to a superior one. The inferior army re-
quired maneuvering, strategy, &c, and 50 we
politically required the same.
The White League speakers exposed the
fallacy Of all their positions, and especially
demolished their assumptions in regard to
the policy and principles of the White League.
They demonstrated that there were more
white men in the State than colored men, and
that to divide the vote on question of race
alone, we could win. The opposition admitted
that on that question each voter would prefer
his race, and yet they assumed the contrary
position in all of their statistical calculations.
MIR. Hudspeth estimates the pet-baggers at
5000, and classified them with the negro, after
having stated his conviction that color would
stick to color on o question Of race. Both can
not be true. II love of race be an instinct
common to all, the arpet-bagger has it, and
we cannot see why he should be necessarily
classed with the negro. At any rate. if he
must be SO classed, the opposition speakers
must give up their unanimous admission that
race will prefer race.
Again, if 5000 carpet-baggers prefer to affili-
ate, in such contest, with the negro, why
may not 5000 or 10000 negroes prefer to af6li-
ate with the white mani If the one be true,
the other may be equally true, unless race in
stinct be less strong among whites than among
blacks. No white man will dare affirm this.
1t would occupy too much space to go into
detail, and we forbear. We noticed, however,
one singular feature in all the opposition
speeches. Not one of them blamed the col
ored people for any of the evils SO universally
recognized to have comes.upon us through
their control of the legislation of the State.
Considering that two of them claimed to be
Democrats, that the Democratic party is the
eternal enemy of Radicalism, and that the col
ored people are nearly all Radicals, these gen.
tlemen cannot complain at the expression of
some surprise that they find nothing to blame
him for, as politician at least.
If the manner in which their speeches were
received by the audience be any index of sue
cess or defeat, they were terribly defeated.
1t must have been painfully manifest to these
gentlemen themselves that they failed to
awaken ANY generous response to their oppo-
sition to the White League. On the other
hand, every White League speaker was vocif-
erously cheered throughout.
If the opposition is satisfied at the result,
we surely are; and if they be Democrats, as
they claim, we are thoroughly satisfied that it
ia the last discussion We shall ever have on
this subject. All opposition among the whites
to the issue of race will certainly cease under
Democratic auspices, and there will then be
nothing for us to quarrel about. ....
The thanks of all are due to the efficient
committee having charge of affairs On the
ground for the admirable order and good
humor prevailing in the whole assembly.
We met as friends, discussed the question
as friends, and have parted as we met. by
all means, let us hope to be together finally.
-D>-
a Card
TO tie Democracy of Calcasiess, Cameron, Aa'o-
yette aad ST. Landry.
hereby pledge myself to publicly demon