National Republican., 1875-09-14
sTAEDING AT BAY AND FIGHTING FOR
THEIR LIVES

As we anticipated, the interview printed
in these columns few days ago between
the Hon. Fred. Douglass and representa-
tive of THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN has
attracted extraordinary attention. The ad-
vice he gave in it to the colored people of
the South to Strike back, and sell their
lives dearly when they are assailed by
their White League enemies and oppressors,
was somewhat unexpected from such
source But it is having its intended effect
in opening the eyes of the Northern
people to the true condition of affairs. The
Rochester Express discusses it as follows
''NOthing that has yet appeared from this
sagacious and eloquent advocate and repre-
sentative o: the colored race has been tinged
with so much bitterness as this: 1t will fall
a blow upon the intelligent minds of the coun-
try, and, perhaps, will open the eyes of many
who have been deceived by the reports that
harmony prevails at the South between the
two races. If q man so steady and self
poised, so calm of utteraGce and comprehen-
sive of vision as Frederick Douglass counsels,
or even suggests, the last, desperate resort OF
a people who are denied the immunity from
abuse and protection their prosecutors accord
to even their blood hounds, then what must
be expected of the freedmen themselves, ignor-
ant and unrestrained by the wisdom that comes
of knowledge!
"An insurrection of the colOred people would
be an event at which the civilized world would
shudder. But why does not the civilized world
shudder at its equivalent, the uprising of the
white rufIiaus and beasts against the freedmen
Human life is dear to its possessor. II may
be sacrificed in a worthy cause, but none of us
purpose to yield ours on the altar Of low,
mean, ignorant prejudice against people who
are to blame neither for their blood nor for
their condition. Every living thing has an in
alienable right to stand at bay and fight for its
lite; and if protection cannot be secured by act
ing upon the defensive, when the hounds of
hate are pressing upon man, upon his family
and his people, then it may be obtained by as
suming the aggressive, and striking terror to
the hearts of the assailants.
''But retaliation should be deferred as long
as possible. 1t would be sad day for the
freedmen, their wives and children, as we'll as
for their enemies, when they should exact
blood for blood. Thus far their conduct be-
meath the most dastardly treatment ever visited
upon an innocent race has put the whites to
shame, and will contrast with singular purity,
with the bloody record of their former masters.
''In discussing these Southern difficulties 1t
should ever be borne in mind that there ap-
pears to be a large class of Southern white
people who are disposed to cultivate harmony
and peace with the colOred race and with the
people of the North. There are staggering,
whisky drinking, swearing and bloody minded
bummers and lOafers N the South who pre-
cipitate the most of these conflicts. But that
class of men must be put down. They could
easily be suppressed if the respectable and
orderly people of the South put themselves to
work to do it. 1t is either from lack of
courage or of interest that it is not done.
Possibly there is a latent sympathy also with
the scoundrels who perpetrated these out
RACES. But, whatever the reason, the colored
people of the South are no longer under OBJ
legations to obey the law which renders them
defenseless against the attacks of their
enemies. The white people under similar
attacks would arm, every man of them, and
answer shot for shot, take life for life. The
NEGROES have the same right :"