The Opelousas courier., 1888-12-01
The Negro Question.
n. o, p~icayune.

aAN'
Unfortunately, however, we
nave among us a race which
IS neither Aryan nor European.
ana which we can not exclude
either by law or by treaty slip
ulations. Comparatively a lit
tie while ago that race was in q
Estate of complete savagery in
the wilds of its native Africa.
LII was not only uncivilized, but
1t had not taken the first step
towards civilization. Under the
tutelage of slavery it made a
very considerable advance, for
mere 1T was taught the first les
sons OF civilization. 1t was not
taught to read and write, but
these arts are not the Begin
nings Of education. Men must
first be taught to escape the ne
cessity of the nomadic condition,
to build homes, to till the soil,
60 rear cattle, and to employ
themselves in all useful handi-
crafts. There are numerous in
stances Of osavages who have
been taken from the surround
lngs OF their youth and thorough
ly educated in schools and col
leges, and who after all that the
schoolmaster had done for them
returned to their tribes and to
the wild habits of their fore
fathers. The force that is lered-
itary prevailed; their civilization
was only skin-deep. 1t is SO
with the negro. He was prema-
tnrely emancipated and en-
franailised. And yet we have
to deal with him as an Ameri-
can citizen entitled to, the en-
joyment of rights for which
many of the white nations of
Europe are not now prepared.
The people of the North have
never realized this fact. They
can not understand why a little
book-learning can not make a
negro boy the civil equal of the
most enlightened and progress
sive people Of the world. But
the difficulty remains ulsuper-
able just the same, and sooner
or later it must be recognized
and provided for.
Ouichisa Telegraph: The
Farmers Union meeting at the
courthouse last Saturday was
very sargely attended. 1t was
not our good fortune to be able
to attend but We are informed
the proceedings were quite in
teresting. State Lecturer Guice
OF Grand Cane delivered a very
able and entertaining address
npon the subject Of cooperation
aud was listened to WITH marked
attention and interest. The
Telegraph is pleased to note the
rapid growth Of this great order,
for if there is any class that
needs Cooperation and protec-
ton it III the farmers Of the
country With proper organi-
cation aud cooperation trusts,
combines and monopolies can
not exist to the detrii4ent Of the
farmers aud they will be enabled
to fix and control, rs it is their
undonbted right and duty to DO,
the values of their labor and
products. Until this is done we
see no permanent relief for the
oppressed farmer and it is onr
decided Judgment that they have
adopted the proper course To OBJ
tain their just rights. Keep Mr..
Guice in the ieldatirring MP the
enthusiasm as he knows SO we'll
how to doand do notlet 1t tagg
until success crowns the effort.
It is this cumbrous and sense
less electoral system that in
vites the debanchery of voters
in every CLOSE State, and it is
also ii constant menace TO the
popular will ii the election OF a
President. it shoiMd be prompt
III abolished as the faithful pa
rent of the electoral crimes, and
as the most threatening OF all
the present perils to free gov
eminent. - Philadelphia Times.
OF one thing we think the
country may be assured, that
the next administration will not
allow itself to be hampered by a
too close adherence to the civil
service theory and that it will
give a far more conspicuous ex-
ample of turning the rascals
OUT than has been exhibited by
Mr.. Cleyeland's administration.
4 III ayanfcJit will tlru the