The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-02-05


critics are amongst them. 80 oppressive ant
UNDESIRABLE had this ignorant and corrupt no.
gro rule become, that many of the whites
including some Of the most h'gbly-esteemsd
and prominent men in tho State, began Sc.
riously to think OF leaving the country. Their
families were harassed with fear Of violence
their property was declining In value.
their interests conl secure no Intelligent and
honest representation, most of tho local on
Gals were only fit 10 be- Jail BIRDS and the vast
horde OF negroes were banded together by
race prejudlces and tho insolant temper which
urges ignorance and brutality TO domineer
over intelligence virtue an property
1t lH not astonishing that the white people
OF that section OF the country grew restless
under tho meroiless slavery TO which they
had been so long subjected Even negroes
born and reared, through generations, In
slavery not unfrequently rise" against the
systematic discipline Of bondage. Intelligent
educated white men, born TO heritage Of free
dom and with large property interests ct stake
cannot be expected to prove moro sub seryient
and docile under the irregular aud brutal sys-
TEN oftyranny and robbery set up over them ia
the Mississippi parishes Of North Louisiana.
II was the signs Of restlessuess under such
despoiation which the old negro Of Water
proof had seen and which led him TO believe
that the white people were "gwlne TO rlse'
But how did they riser Like band Of
brutal savages, threatening TO seourge and
murder and dsvastate tho land2 No On the
contrary they resolved to make united and
vigorous movement TO get control of public
affairs through peaceful civil processes
They organized themselves, and they en-
deavored 10 ooncilate as many OF the negro
voters as possible and Mt first they met
with great success. The better Glass of the
negroes weary Of the turmoil In which
their own and tho carpet-bag leaders had
so long kept them, promptly Joined
the whites. IL was ut this iunoturs that
the peculiar election methods OF the negro
politician were displayed. A fierce negro
chief named Fairfax was nominated for Con-
gress. This man Is bitter and vindIctive
hater of the white race. He began his can
vass by making incendlary speeches and by
secret negro clubs and sending his
ncendiary emissaries In eve direction.
Very soon the effects Of these per-
1cous teachings were manifested In
she growing insoenoe OF the negroes
Ind In their abandonment of the cotton fields,
while the crops remained ungathered Next
irunken and riotous negroes, around the
country stores, uttered fierce threats of burn
ny houses, Of numbering white mon and
,hildren and outraglng white women. Capt. |
Peck, n gentleman bonored for his galantry
md beloved for his amlabe qualities, from
! neighborlng parish, on the impulse Of the
and ut the request Of friends, rode to
he house Of Fairfax TO expostulate with him |
N tho course he was pursuing. and to warn
him Of the trouble his incondiary speeches
md those OF his allies would inevita-
lily provoke II continued. In the dis
barge OF this mission of paciiicaton,
n the execution Of generous effort |
o prevent scenes Of violence and blood |
he'd OF which men. women and children would |
ave been the victims, Capt Peck was shot |
own and killed. Here was q sample OF negro |
olitics; here was an Illustration of tho ways |
nd means by which negro hordes usually at |
empt to inaugurate and conduct po-
tical campaign. BY the next day armed
odies OF infuriated negroes-in Infatuated |
wv NY huy WEDuR bUhy bulIbEbu
ut like tigers, by the blood they them
elves had ruthlessly and causelessly |
hed-were moving through the parish. Con
was In every home In Tensa g.; the |
egroes were numerous enough TO carry out |
heir fierce threats and exterminate the hand
III Of whites. Men found 1t necessary to or
anlze for defense, and trembled to leave |
heir wives and children, who chung to them
4 terror and dismay. Later, the negroes
red upon posse OF citizens; the fire was re-
urned with execution; the negroes turned |
nd fled; aid came to the whites, and sort
[ sullen peace was restored.
1t may be asked by our Northern contem-
orarles why 1t was that the negroes from a
tate OF apparent peace and quiet were so
lddenly aroused to a pitch OF fury and to
leeds OF turbulence and blood? The answer
, simple The negroes are guided or con-
rolled by no fixed opinion or rule of thorough
rinciple or action. In short, there is no
Established public opinion amongst them
nd none can be created. They are
tile else than tanned savages. They
re guided entirely by instinct and passion.
heir passions at rest they are useful laborers
nd docle servants. No appeals to their rea-
IN ever touch or influence them. The teach
gs Of a century cannot convert them to any
eneral and enlightened public views or the
res. But, appeal to their passions and like
lid beasts or savages the y may be in
antly aroused from tranquility to the
ereest excitement; from stupid incidence
I'D perfect dociiity to the widest fury,
lowing no bounds and comprehending
measure of opposition. Such was the case
Tensas and Concordia Such was the case in
aldo and Natchitoches, and such has been
he case In every parish in which these
oubies have occurred In the last ten years.
upon the whites; the burning Of
ouses and the destruction OF property; the
lurder OF white men; the dashing out of the