Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-02-12
The White League.


We are in receipt Of a copy Of the Irish
World, PATRtcK Ford, editor and proprie-
tor. In the platform of principles it claims
to be Catholic in Religion, American in
Nationality, IRISH in Race and Democratic
in Politics. 1t discusses all these questions
with such frankness, ability and patriotic
zeal that II puts to shame many OF its DEM
ocratic contemporaries. who pride them
selves on their nativity. The Louisiana
Muddle is we'll illustrated with large en-
craving OF the Goddess of Liberty holding
her shield over the heads of white and q
black man, and with the sword Of Justice
in the right hand demands of file of L..
s. soldiers in the background to "Ground,
Arms" demand that has been complied
with, and then says to a representative Of
the White League who is kneeling ut her
feet with a dagger in his hand" Yield
you to my sway! Disband your organiza-
tion Respect the Laws; Leave the Negro
alone Go about your own business as
peaceful men! and then you shall have my
sword as u defence and my shield as a pro-
lection, equally with all other men ="
This vexcd question is ably discussed in
several articles, in which the Constitution
is literally quoted from. The arguments
harmonize so we'll with those made from
Republican stand point that we see nc
room for difference OF opinion, and ii Mr.
FoRD's liberal views could reach every
Democratic family once week an incalcu
liable amount of good would b. accomplish
ed. We append below his views Of tn,
White League:
If General Grant violated the CoHstitu
ton, the White League of Louisiana afford
ell him an excellent opportunity for so do
| ing. Oi course, the O,eteH cannot be citeC
as Grants ju'tiic t,iol. Only knave vii
take advantage OF pretext. But at tn
same time only rogues and simpletons vii
No1er pretexts. Oh these two classes W
consider the White League to be composed
Some persons tell us it is a very innocen
association; but the sentiment expresse
in the speeches OF its greatest champion
forbid us to believe anything OF the sort q
it. "The Waite L,aguc!" ltsvery nam
condemns it. 1t filings its banner to til
winds with the worls: "rnIs Is A WHIT
Mans COUNTRY !" Its very name, then
is prin1 faoie evidence that it is conspira
cy organized to fraud the negro OF hi
rights, and that it appeals to prejudices {
race to aid it in carving out its crimina
design. Suppose Black League were
spring up in the South? Would not su'
picion be instantly aroused? Would nc
people ask what the thing meant? Woul
not astonishment aud Indignation be eA
pressed at those blacks? Would not me
interpret the purpose of their indignatio
as a menace to the whites? Certainly the
would. And this Interpretation would /
both Just and natural Now, what is sauC
for the goose must be sauce for the gande
The same suspicious exists regarding tn
White League and the same questions ca
as fairly and properly be put cOncernin
their society. The White League is an Al
} ti-Negro League. That is its name in otl
. err words. Congress passes reconstructio
laws Congress talks; but the White Loagr
acts and nullifes those laws. This is Il
: intent and purpose of that society; and
the White Leagucrs were honestthey woul
squarely acknowledge this charge. v
r bear no ill-feeling toward the South. "
l cherish no sectional prejudices. We ha'
t no party purposes to subserve. Our hone
desire is to see all the people of all the Sc
tions of our common country prospero
and happy. In saying this much we fe
we but express the sentiment of the gre
g majority OF the people of the North OF bo
political parties But true prosperity cam
exist independent OF justice. The good pc
: pie of the South desire to be justtowar 4
d colored man. They have accepted the
e sues of the war, and they are now as 10y
i and law-abiding as the people OF any 9th
part OF the Union. OF this we are assure
), At the same time, it is clear that there a
q certain mischievOus men amongst them, W
e retain leaven of the old nigger-drivi
DAYS, and who do their best to give reb
lious complexion to the entire Southc
population. From men of this sort t
r people of the South have long since turn
d aside. But they must do more. Th
u must in Justice to themselves, let the Nor
know that not only are they not of su
> men, nor in any way influenced by the
i but that they are uncompromisingly opp
e ed to them, and will use their best ex,
4, tions to defeat their purpose.