National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-11-20

Letter from James u. Kennedy
DELTA Nov. 10, 1879.
MY DEAR MAJOR: When I left Won in Nav
Orleans few days ago, you will remember |
predicted we would meet with no opposition in
our tour through tho State, other than that
| based upon an honest difference Of opinion as
tomen, measures and policies. Imagine M SUI
prise, therefore. when we we're not permitte
| TO speak TO the hundreds who had assembled
TO meet us Mt Waterproof IN the Parish of
Tensas, few days since. We have closely fol-
| lowed the programme mapped out by our CAM
pagn committee, and everywhere have been
greeted by large and attentive audiences. Even
IN Baton Rouge. where the bul.dozer has held
sway for some years, and where Republican
meeting has not been held since 1876, our
audience, so l was Informed by eye witnesses,
was three times us largo as that which greeted
Mr.. Witt and his party. / was not prepared,
therefore, for the treatment 1 received at Wa
terproof Judge Beattie did not go with us
to Waterproof Ho complained of being UNI
well, and well nigh worn out by continual
travel and talk. He sent word to me by tho
route gaent on the steamer " X. L. Leer that
he would await our arrival at st. Joseph
where we were advertised TO speak
on tho 9th instant. Mr.. Babe
and myself In Difference to the wishes of tho
large number of colored people present, many
OF whom had come over twenty miles to hear
us, decided TO hold meeting at any rate, al
though we had every reason to believe an at
tempt would be made 10 prevent it, largo
number Of white men were present, and | saw
by their repeated consultations they meant
business. As soon as Mr.. Babe commenced TO
speak he was interrupted by several white
men. They hurrahed for Witt ieered and
Missed when Judge Bcatties name was called,
ana SAID they were determined to break up
any Republican meeting in that section OF
thelr parish that the whites and blacks were
satisfied with the present condition OF affairs
that they were tired of this thing" and pro.
posed hereafter to manage matters to suit
themselves. l came forward and made IN APP
peal TO Mr.. Iamcr, who, | believe, is tho
mayor OF the town. aud who was very violent
10 MS pronunciation of white Republicans, to
allow me to speak. l told him l was u native
OF the State, candidate on the Republican
ticket, aud demanded hearing as a cOlored
man who had received up to that time the
praise of the Democratic Journals Tor his con-
sentative views wherever lie had spoken.
He would not hear me there. /
offered to divide timo with him,
and have joint discussion lie declined that.
lie then invited me over to his store, where he
said I'VE can talk" l went over with him,
followed by a crowd of whites and blacks.
There | was given 10 understand that whilo
II was not their purpose to harm II single hair
in the head Of Il colored man, it was their de-
termination to maintain Democratic govern
mcnt in this State. 1 was told by another
gentleman present who took the boat and went
to Natchez with MS, that they intended to
break up the meeting at st. Joseph tho next
day. He advised Inc to stay away. / went to
St. Joseph, however and sure enough they
were all there; but learned after, they were
given to understand by the merchants in st.
Joseph, and by Mr.. Bland and other large
planters in that end of the parish that they
would not be permitted to interfere with tho
Republican meeting. Now, you know hereto
fore have been pretty conservative in my
opinions-so much so rs TO have my motives
impugned and questioned by many warm
personal and political friends. But when the
white men of Waterproof and the sur
rounding county permit Jew, and
Pennsylvania carpet-bagger at that, to
guide and direct them in crusade against
free speech and fair play, l think it is time for
ine To halt and ask tho question whether my
appeals to that sense Of justice which ought TO
characterize an intelligent people have not
been in vain When did this jew free him
self from prescription and prejudice? How
long has IL been since his race have had tho
right to disturb and agitate labor by mere
prejudice on account of color or of political
faith The history have read tells me- they
have always been prescribed people, aud
that the spirit of hate evinced against them
last summer was rebuked by the moral seuti-
ment OF this country through the press and
pulpit when Judge Hilton and other hotel
proprietors North refused to accommodate
them ut their hotels. l am 10th to believe
that MI. Hamers actions will be Endorsed by
or reflects tho sentiments of any considerable
number of his people. 1t cannot be that after
thu persecution aud ostTcism thoy have suf-
fcred through countless ages, they are now TO
become the prosecutors of others, socially, POI
litically or otherwise. But il makes great
i Inference, / suppose, when they join party
whose principles are based on prejudice, and
acts and votes all the grand principles
on our legislation for the ameiora-
lion OF our condition. l consider this act,
although 10 personal violence was offered, an
outrage that gives tho lie to the fair promise
Of protection and freedom of speech made aud
by Mr. Wilt and his followers to
.le colorcd people Of the State. When will
ho Democratic party learn wisdom from eX-
leriencc2 venture the prediction that tho
ICtions of the whites at Waterproof will tend
% unsettle aud make FESTIVE in moro
marked degree the labor IN that section In
heir eagerncss and haste to got at the rat
lole of the public treasury they are losing
light OF the things that tond to develop and
enhance the material interests Of the State.
rheiI labor is agitatcd. Their treasury Is de-
,leted. Their credit is at stake but it makes
title difference to them. HOhors arc reserved
or those who break up Republican meetings,
or have no doubt Mr. Yamtr will be reup.
ointcd mayor for his devotion to party" in
he great crisis" mt Waterproof This litto
atiair" does not deter me in the least, how
yer, for ! shall 80 forward aud see whether
his spirit of intolerance exists in other Sec
ions of the State JAMES ID. KENNEDY.
MAJOR I. DE $. TUCKER, New Orleans,
American Health Association.
NASHVILLE, Nov. ls,-The American Health Asso-
iatlou met ~ 10 a. m. Aler prayer by Rev. 4, a.
III Il fIa oh