The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-08-07
A GUN SPIKED.

ton had accepted, in good faith, theresults o
the war. the emancipation and enfranchise
mcnt Of the colored people, the Republican
press and politicians have persistently ano
aggressively asserted that our profes
sions were hypocritical; that oul
utterances were false, and thai
to deprive the colored man Of all his polit
zeal rights, we only required an opportunity
Indeed, these INSCRIPTIONS men, counting
upon the credulity and bitter sectional feel
ing of their people, have not hesitated to de.
clare that there Is a fixed purpose on our part
to re-enslave the negroes, and that that was
the fate in store for them 50 soon as the South
should become powerful enough to carry out
it's plan of re-establishing its "slave-driving
aristocracy."
These inflammatory and absurd declara-
lions have been made SO repeatedly, so earn
estly and so persistently that thousands OF
Northern men have come to believe them
while the ignorant negroes have lived In fear
Of their white fellow-citizens for years, cling
ing to carpet-bag thieves and epauIetted
swashbucklers as the representatives OF the
Federal government and protectors OF their
freedom and their political rights.
These pernicious teachings have for years
sustained a feeling OF hostility on the part of
the blacks toward the whites Of the South, and
established at times semi-state of revolu-
ton. In consequence the agricultural in
terests of the country have suffered
greatly, and hence every other interest. 1t
has been impossible to thoroughly organize
the labor Of the country and restore its pros
perity, and it has been impossible for the
whites to do all they were and are disposed to
do to improve the physical, mental and moral
condition OF the colored people.
The article We have quoted from the consti-
tuition just framed by our Convention, com
posed Of an overwhelming majority OF white
citizens and Democrats, elected by the peo-
pie and celebrating freely and with no ap-
prehension of Federal, civil or military, inter-
ference, proves the sincerity of the profess
sions Of our people, and gives the lie direct to
the pernicious observations of the Republican
press and politicians.
During the whole session OF the Convention
not even suggestion was made Of any meas
ure discriminating against the colored people
or that contemplated, In the remotest degree
any restriction Of their political rights as a
race. Several propositions We're discussed
for restriction Of suffrage by poll tax
qualification an educational qualification,
and something was even said relative to
property qualification. But it was held that,
though these qualifications did not
directly discriminate against the coIored
people, and would apply to whites as well as
Blacks still as the colored race in the State en-
braces vastly the largest number OF voters who
would be affected, any qualification would
be virtually an attack upon them. Hence
oil qualifications of suffrage were voted down
and no more liberal and just laws could be
enacted on this important subject than those
In the new constitution OF this State
framed by white Southern Democrats, many
II whom were once wealthy planters and
shareholders. The colored members OF the
Convention recognized this fact, and In the
closing hours OF the Convention many Of them
,ook occasion to express their qualification at
he just and generous manner in which a
Democratic Convention had dealt with the
lights and interests Of their people.
Throughout the State the gravest appre- |
tensions were entertained by the colo1ed peo-
lie when the Constitutional Convention was
allied. They had been taught by Northern |
republicans and carpet-baggers to distrust
he white people, and they believed that the
would In some way deprive them
f their rights. They had no very distinct
deas On the subject They did not know pre-
isely what they apprehended. But they
ad been taught to believe that the Democrats
7ere the enemies Of their rights, and they felt
hata Democratic Convention would find some
'ay to disffanchise them and cllrtaiI their
berries. The work of the Convention has
isabused them; they are, in every portion OF
le State, gratified and delighted with the
institution.
The Convention has done great deal for
le people Of Louisiana, and one Of the most
nportant results it has effected Is the estab-
shment between the whites and blacks OF a
cling Of trust and confidence. The colored
eople henceforth will understand that the
mite people Of this State have no desire to
oprive them OF any of their rights or to ia
~ manner impair their liberties We
Ave for years told the colored people that
lelr worst enemies were the carpet baggers
ID their best friends the people who had
'operty and other substantial interests, in
e State. we trust now that they will accept
I'd act upon this fact Upon its recognition ,
ponds their own prosperity, and upon the ,
lrmony and peace its recognition will es-
blish depends the happiness Of all classes
ID races in the common wealth.
A FAST COUNSELOR.