Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-08-01

COlOred Men in the South.

The condition of the colored men in the
South was subject of earnest discussion
among the delegates at the Cincinnati
convention. Next to the nomination oil
candidates for President and Vice Presi-
dent it was the question that excited
greatest interest. Delegates from the
South. both white aud black, argued that
it was a question of life and death, liberty
or slavery, to the colored people. They
felt that the northern people, the republi-
cans even, did not understand the perlls
of the negroes or give proper heed to the
reports OF their wrongs and suiterings'
and therefore they presented the matter
with great feeling and force, and made a
deep impression upon the delegates who
listened to them. Upon this subject the
following remarks made by Senator j.
Henri Burch OF Louisiana, at meeting
of the Lincoln Club of New York, are
worthy the attention of our readers. Sem
ator Burch said:
"Tberc seems to me to be decided misconcep--
ton at the North of the actual state OF political
affairs in the Southern States. The statement Is
often made by well-meaning people here that old
antagonistic feelings are subsiding, and that the
old-time rebel has become peaceful ami law
abiding citizen. Nothing could be further from
the truth. He has IN my own State certainly
never left the saddle in which he met some of you
on the battlefield. The determined resolve OF
these Southerners to carry all the Southern States
solidly for Tilden and Hendricks means some
thing more than desire for economy, retrench-
ment, and reform; it means long sighted pur-
pose on their part attain by the ballot what they
lost on the battle field, and to bring back once
more the anti-rebellion days. The old condition
of affais and what he lost when 1t was abolished,
still rankles in his memory and he cannot forget
it. lie still lives in the old sccnes he sees about
him those whose limbs his chains once shackled :;
he sees his wealth gone because they are no
longer his slaves, and he hopes under Democratic
rule to return to the situation of twenty five years
ago. This is why he keeps the negro fiom the
baot-box and permits him to cast his vote only
at the risk of his life. Now, do not come here
to rouse feelings Of antagonism between men oil
the North and the South, but do come to urge
that the negro be protected III the legal rights
granted to him. You Republicans of the North it
was who obtained for our freedom and our
rights to you We look Tor protection IN the noun
when both are periled.
The negro of the South understands exactly to
which party he owes his allegiance. The white
man easily deceves him on all other points; he
rents out land to the blacks, and then steals the
resulting crops. He cheats his unsuspecting dupe
time and again out Of what little money he may
save but when the election day arrives, no prom
ises allurements threats, or punishments can dis
abuse his mind OF the idea that whatever good
has come to him has come through the Republican
party and to that he will cling. Louisiana is
claimed by the Democrats among the Iilden and
Hendricks States but just surely as full negro
vote is allowed in November, so certainly will
that State cast her eight electoral votes for Hayes
and Wheeler. The Southern planter cares moth
ing for the election of Tilden if it will not insure
to him at the same time the State Government.
BY means of this can he easiest control the negro,
and for this he aims. lie will every endeavor
to deprive the black man of legislative power
even If necessary, by force of arms. The negroes
demand leg slatve representation that at all events
their hts may be protected against the machin-
atoms OF these their enemies i do not claim that
my coored friends in the Louisiana Legislature
have always made wise laws; they have not. But
this may be said however foolish laws they may
sometimes have made, they have never passed
unjust ones. The gist of matters ct the South is
just this the present generation, both white and
black, must pass away before the two races can
come to peaceabe and cordial understanding,
and all can be educated up to sense of their duties
and the value of their privileges. Meanwhile We
demand as American citizens the protection OF
our rights, and sincerely believe that this can
only be attained by the election of Hayes and
Wheeler as our next President and Vice Presi-