Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1880-07-21
Dancer for the Democracy.

fOlIoWfnE OF rcpuoncHu uictution, uuu
they now may and do Of their own choice
vote with Democrats in large numbers-
while it Is satisfactory to know that the
blacks are no longer solid mass Of voters
always arrayed against the whites, there
are connected with this great change GER
tain results IA bitter, ~ pregnant with
misfortune to the Democracy as was their
conversion pleasant and full Of good to
the country at large.
In country localities, until lately, there
had been in Democratic ranks but q small
element Of voters who could be controlled
by factions Of the party to the prejudice
of opposing elements. All white Demo
Gratis Ia Louisiana, or at least in the rural
districts, usually voted in their party
caucnses or primaries from strong conyic-
tions of duty or from feelings Of personal
regard for opposing sspirnnts. They usu-
ally had, or claimed to have, some knowl-
edge of the actual merits Of all cOntro-
versities within the party. The magni-
tnde of the struggle between two great
and powerful parties tended also to keep
down party divisions Of a serious nature.
But now the Republican party il so weak
that no danger is to be unprecedented from
it in any struggle which includes the
whole State. The capture Of the negro
has 50 shattered Southern Rcpublcanism,
that ~ II is not dreaded, As victory seems
certain under any and all circumstances.
The needs Of party success are no longer
81 great as to prevent intense personal
rivalries within the party, Men strive
with might and main for the nomination
which is equivalent to an election. They
endeavor to gather strength from all
quarters, and the negro caring nothing for
individual merit, ignorant of great ques.
tions of vital interest to the state and
Nation, easily controlled by the judicious
expenditure Of few dollars paid to their
leaders, becomes in primaries, even in
mass meetings, an important factor for
the advancement Of individuals.
In every community there are white
men whose influence with the blacks is
very great. This influence is we think sell
dom due to any merit in the man. Ii
usually results from the fact that the in
dividual il not controlled and guided by
certain rules Of honesty and decency
which prevents others from mingling with
the blacks n hail fellow well met
There are white men who grow disgust
ed when they observe these things. They
see ignorant negroes inspired for the oc
casion by bcar or whisky, controlling mass
meetings aud primary clectiuns, drowning
with their howls the voices Of patriotic
men and seeking their homes loaded with
the pay for work done. Good men won.
der how Democrat who prides himself
on his Democracy, can consent to receive
nomination given him by an element
Ignorant of the cause Of the controversy,
when his own COLOR his friends and neigh.
bors, are arrayed against him, aud this
too when II is not race issue.
without going very far into dischssion
of the facts known to exist, facts brought
about by the state of affairs mentioned
above, We suggest that under the system
of drumming up negroes in large numbers
to vote in conventions, primaries and
mass meetings, there is great danger to
the Democratic party.
We can conceive Of no one thing that
will 30 disgust an honorable, patriotic
gentlcman-one who votes from stern
dictates Of duty, and who lahors with his
party because his reason, conscience and
intelligence teaches him to do SOUS 10
find that he is but an insignificant factor
that his vote and influence may he over
ridden 10y the brutal numerical strength
Of ignorance.
An observation Of these things has upon
him two effects. Fi,~t--A bitter. abiding
contempt for the man Who makes use nf
this element either by himself or through
his friends. Sccond-Ec begins to doubt
the purity Of his party and its capacity to
effect reform. Then follows. if the man
he enthusiastic, an attempt to reform, and
failure; in other associations he
seeks the feature denied him in the party
of his choice. Others grow cold, careless
aud indifferent, until finally the party,
then the State, and lastly the Nation i
controlled by the worst element of it's
population.
In some Of the larger cities Of the Union
the people have drank this cup to the drrgs