New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-11-14

TRGN0HIHEn.

stowal of full political rights upon the
colored people has advanced their quail
fcation for citizenship far more than If
they had been left in the state of pupil
age resulting from the simple act of
emancipation. The belief that their free
dom depends upon their vote, has not
only rendered them more solicitous to
qualify themselves for the intelligent exer-
else of that right, but it has given them
consideration from all parties to which
mere peasantry is nowhere entitled.
The regular industry of these people has
not only produced immense values for the
agricultural capitalists, but their sobriety
and economy has enabled them to acquire
property fer themselves.
The value of this peculiar capacity for
industrial pursuits under this climate has
given the colored race certain guarantee
against injustice, unless their place should
be supplied by some other race. which is
not probable.
1
gift Of political right has been appreciated
by the colored race, nothing can equal
the fidelity with which they have chung to
this right. No one not in their intimate
confidence can imagine the dread with
which they regard the loss Of this right
To the white people of the United States
the past election represented but ques-
ton of policy to be continued or changed.
Whether this is q nation or confed-
eracy is a comparatively abstract ques-
ton which may be controverted every
four years until it shall be settled
by some arbitrament that none
may dispute. The colored people believe
that the result of that election would
either guarantee their freedom or reduce
them into practical bondage. They knew
by that system of intelligence among
themselves, which excels the telegraph
in accuracy, that hundreds of their race
had been shot and hanged. They knew
that no white man could advocate their
cause without business and social pro-
scription in New Orleans or without the
loss of life, property or exile in the par
ishes. There has been, therefore, such
terror among them as has rendered any
venal consideration contemplate, and
nothing save the instructive and animal
dread of death could have kept them from
the polls. They have been, therefore, oc-
cupied for months in bringing all the
monuments of fidelity and union to the
defense of their political existence. Their
spiritual leaders of their own color have
exhorted them to stand by their freedom.
Their women urged them never to give
way. They were on their knees in prayer.
Their voices were raised in sacred song
in their chambers at midnight Women
led their children to the polls and cried
to the husband, Goods curse and mine
on your head if you sell my children"
The most remarkable progress in this
developed capacity has appeared in the
canvass and argument Of the campaign
by colored men. The Republican parish
committee of Orleans has been left almost
exclusively under the direction of such
colored leaders as Dumont, Ladd, Stamps
and Lamaniere. Their trusted treasurer
was Mr.. Joubert. The reduction of the
Democratic majority in the city is
proof Of fidelity and ability in the
of the limited resources
in their hands. Had colored suffrage
been subject to venal influences, the
ample wealth of the merchants and bank |
ers might, if directed to that purpose,
have demoralized these poor voters. The
same causes which deprived them of
numerous and able white leaders COM
PEELED the colored speakers to aid reso-
[utely in defense of their own race. We |
may safely say that the argument of one
black man to another is stronger than
my other can be. Neither speaker nor
nearer can change his color. There is no
escape from disfranchisement if it befall
he race by any common qualification
which applies equally to all, but must fall
pecially upon the poor and ignorant man
# color. We have heard the sensible,
arrest, impassioned appeal of these
rators. We have heard them handle the
Democratic claim that the government
7as of the States, and not of the whole
eople. From the election of Demo-
ratio President they have deduced nom
for personal protection, and
:om that again, the denial of suffrage,
1e regulation of wages and the degrade
on of the colored race into political
,rfdom without civil rights, social recog-
ition, personal protection or just COM
We have seen these black
9eakers shed tears of genuine sorrow as
ley have quoted the labor laws Of DEM
cratic States and repeated the shocking
les of men arrested for petty offenses,
to work out their fines, and de-
rived Of food, care or raiment while ex-
iating their ofense by servile labor for
mother man. II
If it had been thought that the race de-
ended on few favorite Republican ora
rs to represent their ideas or interests,
10 past canvass should disabuse the pub {
9 mind of the error. The colored race
as never better represented than by such
,eakers as Messrs. Stamps, Burch, Lewis,
,seph, Vance, Ladd, Kennedy, Briggs,
nnnnf and many others 9