The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-11-17
PEounIAn1r1rs OF THE ConoRRD po1i1;.

| PEouLIARITIRs OF THE CoLoRRD PoLI-
T1o1AN.-A special correspondent OF the
Nov York Tribune. writing from New
Orleans, throws some light on the poll.
tioal characteristics of the negroes, and
on the feeling of the Southern whites
toward the blacks. His experience
seems to have been confined to Louisi.
ana, bnt bis 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 rerlnrks that the whites
speak uniformly with kindness and
frieudliness Of the blacks, but, AS any
one acquainted with the usual cLarac.
teriatics of the negro race might ex-
pect. they add that tho poor b!acls
have been misled; That. considering
their ignorance, it was impossible they
should not have been misled; that their
political associations have had a bad
influence upon them that they have no
! self-control aud no oindependence. They
do not accuse the negro of malice or
Of innate depravity of nature. Their
mistakes arc attributed mainly to ig-
noraucr aud misplaced confidence.
The Obstacles III the way Of the self
assertion Of the negro are greuter than
any one not acquainted with The conai-
tion of Southern politics can have any
idea Of. O.th-bouud leagues exist for
tho sole purpose Of preventing their
desertion of the Republican party.
They are led to believe thnt 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 misicl them u,c
objects Of tho Southern white man t.
wrath. The church in tho South is a
powerful auxiliary of the league in the
Interests Of the Republican party
ihe rural negro munster makes n
strange mixture Of the cause Of Christ
and OF the Republican party. He can
not always separate the one from the
other. Says tue correspondent of the
| Tribune:
"Political announcements are mad.
ut religious gatherings, md religions
announcements ut political gatherings.
Election tickets nre sometimes listri-
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
apostaoy; tha 5ermon becomes politi
cal harangue, and party fellowship is
openly made prerequisite for fellow
ship IN tho church. 1u tho campaign
OF 1872 Very intelligent head nun ;
on sugar plantation, which visited
tho other day, realizing the obligations
OF his race to Mr.. Greeley. informed
his employers that ho intended TO
vote tue Greeley ticket. Az the man
was truthful. his employer did not
doubt his sincerity, but, knowing the
difficulties i'll the way. watched with
interest to see if he would carry out his
honest intention. On the day OF the
election the negro came to him in cvi
dent trouble. Mass - said he, Il
told yon was gwine vote for Greeley.
and if you keep mo to dc promise III
do it. shunh. Eut it's hard work, sab |
Hard work, shuah!' Being pressed to
an explanation, he finally stated that
there bad been big meeting al the
neighboring church on the day before,
and that brother Simon. the preacher,
had openly threatened to excommuni-
cate any man voting against the Re-
publican ticket. He was released frou
his promise, went with the crowd to
tho polls aud voted with the crowd,
aud 1T is hardly possible that he will
ever be free from the shacklcs forged
10y the putty and fastened on by the
cluioti" F."
The Republican apostute is said to
be ostracisci, 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
can be but little hone of tbe nolitic.I