New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-30
LOUISIANA IN BONDS:


arms when their white comrades were shot; ant
that in the hour of triumph and during the few days
in which the MeEnery and Penn party had charge
of the city, not a single negro suffered IL
person or property. 1t is indeed re
markable in view of all that has beer said and done
by interested parties TO keep alive prepdices
aud in view of the excuses which ordinarily follow
even the best conducted revolution airy movements
that no of violent assault upon these poor
is reported and that in one instance at least
the life of saved by the intervention of
members of the White League. The result is that
the negroes are beginning to dstrust the silly stories
that are told them of the purposes of the whites If
the McEnery Government is installed, and that more
COiored Conservative clubs organizing in New
Orleans to-day than ever before since the war. My
conclusion from the above statement is that the
late revolution was inspired solely by desire to rid
the State of the Kellogg usurpation, and that
the charge that it a manifestation of dis
loyalty or of race prejudice is untrue. 1t is due
to the people of Louisiana that this should be said.
THE BtUNDER OF THE WHITES.
But while acquitting the revoutonists of any hos
tilty to the General Government the negro race,
and the White League Of any excuses or impro-
priety of any kind in the demonstration under con-
sideration it ought in fairness to be said that the
League is organized upon an indefensble basis and
tendencies. That the negroes set the example of a
division of parties; on the color line is true but the
whites with their superior intelligence, education.
and knowledge Of political affairs might have found
an example more worthy to be followed and GER
tany they could have followed none
worse. Even if forced by the action of
the negroes TO vote as race, as they
undoubtedly have been, it would have been
far better to continue their organization as Peo-
pies party or TO have formed an Honest Government
League, OF to have done almost anything else
rather than raise the question OF color to new prom
inence in State in which its agitation has already
done so much harm and may do so much more. l
am satisfied that the leaders of the White League
have no designs whatever against the rights OF the
negro that it is at present merely political orGani-
cation and that there is intention of using 1t in
any event for aught else than defense and protec-
ton; but it is too tempting tool to be left lying
around within the reach of politicians whose ambi-
ton would not scruple TO WELD not only its votes
but its physical strength should fair opportunity
be presented In the city it can do little
harm but. in the interior it may be
wilfully or carelessy perverted to the worst ends
Besides, II has drawn the negroes together more
closely in their League by filling them with appre
tensions which, while without real foundation in
the purposes of the White League, are not unnatu-
rally entertained Dy creduIOus people, Inc PedOo
Of Louisiana is not assured until there are neither
White Leagues nor Black Leagues in existence, and
parties are divided otherwise than by the color of
tie skin. at present. the Republican party is COM
pOsed of ninety-nine hundredths of the blacks and
a few white oficehol6ers and ofice-seekers and the
opposition party of Observation-Disclosures of the
whites with an omnibus load of blacks. There can
be no peace or good government, l repeat unless
parties are differently divided. That result is
hardly possible while the Leagues exist. Both of
them ought TO be dispersed.