The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-08
TUE QUESTION ~ LoutsI,N,.

Colonel William Preston Johnston
writes as follows in the New Orleans
Tmes-D Democrat:
Your Sunday and Monday issues con
tain communications commenting upon
the treatment Of a colored minister in
the Protestant Episcopal Council held
here last week. 1 know not why my
name IS specially selected from 50 many
eminent gentlemen topOint moral.
But cannot permit these writers to
act as interpreters Of my opinions to
the people Of Louisiana, 4 must beg
leave to sav that, 20 far az | am con-
cerned, they have not Informed them
selves. and / must claim the right 10
speak for myself
do not propose to discuss the coun-
Gil to which | was a delegate, or the
luncheon at which | WAS u guest; but as
weight aud significance seem TO be at
lached to my opinions on the negro
question. | trust you will permit me 70
state them dispassionatel and without
much argument.
Those who know me- know what my
opinion, have been. They were adopted
on mature consideration, and suose-
ouent events have confirmed not
changed. them. do not Weld TO any
man IN q sincere and earnest desire for
the welfare Of the negro as race or as
an individual. | have given much
thought to the sub ect and have tried to
evince my interest in every practical
movement for the progress and happi-
ness of the race, and trust that in my
treatment of individuals. no matter how
humble. | have never been wanting in
kindness and Christian courtesy. Bat
to align me with Mr.. George w. Ca
bic, of the Republican of Louisiana who
promote bis teachings, is in direct con-
trayention of my views. What these
are propose now to state without re-
serve.
In the first place, l utterly repudiaie
and resent all arguments based upon
the degradation of slavery. as 1t was
called. In that institution, as it exist
cd at the South, we have the only ex-
pertinent which has ever or anywhere
proved successful in elevating and civil
lizing the negro race. 1t Is an insult to
white and black alike TO assert that the
negro of this or the last generation Is
not an improvement on the African can
nibal and voodoO worsbiper: and. what
ever the negro is. he owes TO the pa
triarchal discipline of a servitude which
could only bya misnomer be contound-
ed with other conditions OF slavery.
| still regard the sudden and violent
abolition OF slavery AS great mistake.
the arbitrary. Acknowledgement of the
negro as a stupendous blunder. and the
attempt of the Radical party, heretofore
and now. To subordinate the Southern
States TO black domination as the vilest
political crime in modern history.
| do not think, however, that the
crimes of others ought to prevent our
treating our negro population with foi-
bearance and kindness l have Away
advocated and promoted their education
and enlightenment. But l am not OF
those who believe that 1.-The wards
OF the nation are quite fitted
to be masters of the South. The
white people of the South are
not bound in morals by the Federal re-
scripts, which would have consigned
these Common wealths t. black barbar
ism. and il is their duty to maintain
the control of their political affairs
against negro domination, even ii back
I'd by Federal bayonets, at all odds and
at whatever cost. Those who incite the