New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-09-20
A Democratic Protest. Against the White
fIeaRu0Pos

Ex-Governor A. g. Brown. Of Mississippi.
~whose honest heart the Jack son ClariOn
says, "never mad pulsatiOn which was not
for his State" has taken earnest ground
against the popular Democratic movement
Tor the organization Of White Leagues. He
saws: "When this subject first came to the
surface was inclined to pooh pooh il. 1t
Seems to me absolutely absurd, in view of
all our surroundings. that we could for a
snomene entertain any such proposition.
Gentlemen in the State and out Of it whose
Judgment ] felt bound to respect embrace
.nd very earnestly advocate the theory.
Then I felt il . duty to review my own,
ierhaps, hasty conclusion. and see if it
we're not probable that was wrong. The re-
cult is q very pointed and conclusive convic-
ZION in nv own mind that the idea of White
Leagues is all wrong, and must, If carried
Oue end in the most disastrous consequences
TO both races. However brought about the
negro under the forms of the constitution
~ it is written, has equal political and civil
rights with the white man. The social ques-
;ion is another matter, and that ! would
undertake TO say no human law ever has or
ever can regulate. But to the point, shall
We have White Leagues. and, it go. what
them II seems 10 me that we shall, IN re.
.aliasion. have black leagues. Ihen what!
The tive races are bro9sht race " tace;
Will. in such . contest, all the whites stand
en- our side and all the blacks on the other!
Not bit Of it. We have o painful expe-
siencs that . large number OF whites from
motives or reasons Of their own, will take
sides with the blacks. What has been once
done. We have reason 70 suppose may
be done again. 1t may be all well
enough taking . purely selfish view OF
che subject, for communities where
Che ~hites predominate. to get up white
leagues. But what becomes OF communities
when the black element prevails! Does il
take . man very deeply learned in the
laws of human nature to understand that it
che whites. when they are in the majority,
combine ~ take possession OF the govern.
nent, the blacks, where they are in the
majority, will combine for . like purpose.
This sort of com animation points to but one
end. and that is q war OF races. In con-
aest fetween the races 1T can not be Doubt
iul who would come OFT eon4uerors. But
~ho wants such contest! 1here Is mu-
snaJ denendance between the races which.
once recognized in good faith, must lead to
hanny results. But ignored no man not
endowed with supernatural gifts can pre-
TEND to tell the consequences. Ideas crowd
an INV r.lnd in this connection, but feel
admonished must not tresspass on your
patience. One idea, however, prominently
act forth by the white leagues l feel it
.lnty 10 combat and that is that the whites
have constantly held out their hand of
Fellowship to the blacks. In its entirety. l
Jenv the proposition. That . vast majority
Cf The whites. have been sincere in their
professions am quite ready to admit. But
That there has been ut all times a minority
no. willing to admit the negro's clearly de-
fined and we'll understood constitutional
rights, there can be no question. 1t is the
duty Of the majority to make its au-
thority felt. The minority may be more
united. and therefore mischievous, but to
The majority belongs the right. to rule
Whatever people may say, and however
popular assemblages may resolve, have
an abiding confidence that the negro can
.eresfs are identical with that of the South
ern white man, and when he comes to un-
derstand that he will think with the white
men of the South, act with them and vote
With them"