The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1878-10-25
II. -. MONROE LOUISIANA, FRIDAY OgTOBER 25.l87S,
rnE coLoREDI VOTE.

'< the C0LORED VOTE. ,ad ~, ~
The Republican party never could
maintain its ascendency in any res
pectable community without appeal ing
to the ignorance of the lowest classes.
It found q at subject in the newly en-
Ifanchised race in the Southern States
after the passage Of the reconstruction
measures. The ,dishonorable means to
which they resorted to obtain the col.
ored vote, and the usle they made Eoi
the power they gained Ly separating 1t
from the whites, are too fresh, in the
memory Of all to need any special at
tention. .H ..,t nj .,il.u sai. su
IT would seem, that it were an easy
task to show any particular class with
whom their interest lie.I But in the
case of the Southern eolOredI voters it
has been one Of great difficulty. So
great an impression have the false
teachings OF the Radical leaders made
on their weak and impossible minds,
that it is diE1oulta tos-be eradicated.
They still have. their. ntluence, us must
DO evident to all who are watching the
current of events. %
That the Radical governments at the
South were Incompetent to the task of
protecting the lives and property of the
negroes, was not only apparent to
them, but has been time and again COM
fessed by the Radical leaders them
selves. The Northern press tecmed
with accounts of optrages committed on
the persons Of Southern negroes. 1t is
true most Of them wero manufactured
out Of whole cloth for political effect,
but If all, or any of them were true, it
h confession that tho bogus govern
ments, set up by their own votes, were
unable to afford them that protection
which every government owes to every
class of its citizens. But since these
overturned, and tho property holders
Of the Southern States have been en-
structed with the management Of their
Affairs, we hear no complaint in any
quarter. The negroes are protected in
the exercise Of their rights, aud harlno-
ny subsfsts between the two races, in
stead Of that strife and contention which
the Radical incendiaries were continu-
ally fomenting. --,.,,...' t5.
Among the most important privi-
leges accorded to the colored citizens
are the means taken by the conserva-
tive governments to secure to their
children the benefits Of education.
Under the Radical Government inn
mense sums were appropriated for that
purpose, but they were, squandered on
|high-salaried officers, or misapplied by
dishonest school officials. The Demo-
cratic party pledged itself to the edu-
cation Of nll classes alike. These
pledges have been faithfully fulfilled.
Here in Caddo, for instance, the Demo
Gratis have organized and supported
more colored schools, and better ones,
too, than the Radicals, during the time
of their power. -. lad ......sl
And, yet, in spite of these facts, the
Radical leaders and Radical candidates
are endeavoring to keep the colored
race in antagonism to their white
neighbors. No Misrepresentation will
be omitted which can aid in securing
the colored vote. Perhaps we may
succeed, but colored voters would do
we'll to calculate the consequences of
an alliance with the enemies of the
best interest Of the State. The Demo-
cratic party intends to retain control
Of the State government. 1t would
cultivate friendly relations with COL
ored citizens, and continue to confer
on them the benefits they now enjoy.
But if these are not appreciated the
time may come when the party will
no longer confer them on such ungratc-
full recipients.-iS2treUepO, Standard.