Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1875-03-11
The Southern Situation.

South-the white and the blacks. These
differ not more widely in color, than they
do in opinion. The education, the prop.
crty, tho energy, tho experience and all
those elements which cohcrc in the estab.
lishmcnt of political power, are found on
the side of the whites, experimenting
their efforts to hold the blacks in subjuga-
ton, notwithstanding the Constitutional
amendments, or tho laws enacted in pur-
suancc ofthem. Although the colored
population in Louisiana is much greater
than the white, it is LESS strong. 1t is
scarcely decade removed from condi-
ton Of scrvitude. The owners and mas
tors often years ago, arc the neighbors Of
the black men today, changed in moth
ing except their relationship to them. In
spirit and in purpose they arc owners and
masters still. while the cmancipated race
are slaves in almost every practical view
Of the case. 1t is true that in legal sense
they arc free, but they are yet under the
bondage Of ignorance. They are clothed
wit. the habilimcnts Of citizenship. but
they are practically vassals, because they
arc ignorant Of the value Of power and Of
the means Of using it, For this they are
not to blame. The Government has seen
1T to strike off their sliacSlcs. With the
letters went MI claim upon their masters
for support and protection. To the ex.
tent actually required, these must be fur
nishcd.
1t is idle for US to say that the blacks
must defend themselves. 1t is the duty
OF the United States to secure to each of
the States a republican form of govern.
ment. The fact that the negro has not
tho skill to plan nor the courage to exc.
cute measures by which to. protect him
self in his political and personal rights
against even small minority. affords no
excuse for his being left to suffer ostra-
cisin and spoliat;on and death, at the
hands of his former masters. That spirit
which prompts the disturbances in the
South is manifestation OF utter depravi.
y. There is no principle which they arc
striving to defend. The late war settled
everything connected With the previous
condition Of society in the South, so tur
as it in any way affected the political
status Of individuals, and recent lecisla.
ton has defined the rights and privileges
of citizens. ANY contest against the nc.
gro is, therefore, an active opposition to
the authority Of the United States. Nei.
ther the President nor Congress has a
right to regard the troubles III the Soutl,
as Of only local importance, when they
result from the action of lawless and de-.
nant mob. There may be Il weak man in
the community. Ifthcrc is his presence
affords no excuse for his being killed by
some powerful tyrant. 1fnot more dc.
serving ho is certainly more entitled to
consideration, from the very fact of his
weakness, and it is the province of the
authorities to see that the liberties and
TIC property Of such citizen have tho
fullest protection against wanton injury.
The same principles hold in the affairs Of
State. 1.-THE powerful invcigh. against
the weak, usurp their rights, dcspoil them
otthcir privileges. create condition Of
acarchy, interrupt the admin is,ra,ion Of
tue law, and cause riot and demolished, il
IS the duty Of the General Cove, nment e
interfere and restore peace and order
Men onght not to be governed long b,
military power, but when their acts ne
cess'ta'e It's employment it should be us
ed so vigorously a; TO prove cffcctual.-
When 1t becomes known to the Iawlcs.
people o! the South that punishment
swim and terrible will follow tho com
mission Of offences, then, and not until
shen' will they become law,abidinr citi
zens. E.