Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1879-05-10
DISSOLVE THE SOHISM.

this period is presented the deplor-
able spectacle of a disruption in
the ranks of that organization,
which. in the long to be remember
ed struggle OF 1876, when the entire
white population arose and with
commendab'e unanimity shook from
their bodies the steel-like manacles
that had been welded to the frame
of every southern man by the sledge
hammer power o! a vindictivc Fed
eral administration, abetted by
the fiery hatred Of an ignorant race.
In the election last year there
Was no real cause to expect imme-
diate danger from the beligereut
attitude displayed by the factions
then (and now at variance. for
on both sides some of our best men
had been put forth, the election Of
any Of whom would have proven
satisfactory to the masses. The
only danger that could have arisen
in that contest would have been a
substantial opposition to the Dem
ocratic candidate for Congress from
this district by either faction Hap
PLY for the Democratic party of
the nation both of these were re-
conciled to the nominenee and the
danger of defeat thereby averted.
This unaaimity, however, was more
to be attributed to the personal
popularity OF Mr.. Robertson than
to any regard for party ties. In
the contest of 1880 much more will
be at stake. It is not at all i'm
probable that the vote of West
Feliciana may decide the fate of
the presidential candidate. In '76
the vote Of Louisiana elected NJ.
Tilden, and she may be called upon
to cast the deciding vote again.
That the old leaders Of the Repub-
lican party in Louisiana are now
secretly but all the more efectually
organizing for the struggle in 1880
it would be foolish to deny. That
West Feiiciana-once one of their
strongest bases of operation will
be allowed to pursue the even tenor
of her way it would be unreasonable
to expect. Another appeal to the
passions Of the negro race by the
unprincipled apostles Of Radicalism
will be made, and without the com
certed action Of every white man,
aided by the conservative colored
voters. it will be impossible to sue
cessfully cope with the conspira tors
and their ignorant following.
E1en should the Republican par
ty fail to pursue the course we have
mapped out, there is another and
equally dangerous possibility to be
considered. If the existing differ
ences are not very soon adjusted
it is highly probable that the negro
element will again conceive the idea
of co!orcd representation in the ell
ective offices. When we consider
the overwhelming power oFthis nu-
merical'y superior race, tie idea is
anything bu, chimcric:,l. To grant
the negro equal rights primarily
and deny him the right Of selecting
officers from his own ranks are in
constituencies which will be apparent
to the most ordinary mind. With
solid white line tooppose, the negro
would not have the hardihood to
attempt to place ignorance over in.
telligence.
In the face of these undeniab!e
facts, the interests Of the country,
aside from party standpoint, de-
mand an immediate adjustment
The interests Of a whole community
must not be jcopardized for the
qualification of personal spite on the
part Of few would-be party lead
ers. We cannot conceive any i'm
in calling a mass meeting
Of the uhi Ito I'll ti1nnr To aocia q II, Tho +