The Louisiana Democrat., 1890-09-17
THE RELIGIOUS DODGE.
the Most Contemplate Campaign Scheme
Ever Attempted.

election bill that it is measure not in
response to any popular demand; that
the people desire peace between the
sections, surcease Of passion and re-
sentiment, while the election bill con-
templates and is calculated to produce
astate of things precisely the reverse
of all this. 1t is, and was from the be-
ginning, purely politicians move
ment, the scheme OF ambitious and des-
perate men with purposes OF their own
10 subserve.
Among the protests that came in
against the passage of the bill were
many from Southern Republicans and
bodies of colored men. The conspira-
tors felt the force of the objections and
protests, and realized the need of some
thing to break their force. They have
accordingly worked hard to secure the
semblance of popular demand for the
passage of the bill To this end blanks
have been distributed everywhere for
signatures, containing requests that the
bill be passed.
One of these schemes thus organized
Is intended to work the colored churches
for an Endorsement of the force bill
rascai:tv. A circular purporting to come
from news company conducted by
colored men is sent to the pastors of
colored churches. The body of the cir
cular reads as follows:
'sTo the Pastor-Rey. Sir: BY means Of the
Democratic press an assault is being made
upon the public mind which is an attempt to
influence National legislation into preventing
the passage OF the Lodge or Federal election
bill.
Expressions Of dissatisfaction from negroes
disgruntled with the Republican party have
been solicited, and their responses have been
published in many OF our great journals, as be-
ing the true desire OF Afro Americans.
1--WE know that these declarations OF opinion
do not illustrate the popular sentiment. They
however, are full Of possible mischief. There
fort- to convince the masses and the National
legislative powers that their opposition is but
as a voice against a mighty tempest, 1t has
been decided to take such steps as will, when
carried out, display the true desire OF the Afro
American masses. But to be successful in this
laudable effort we need your aid. This you can
give most effectively by, after you have ad
vised with your people, filling out the inclosed
blank.
"We would suggest that you present the
matter before the members OF your church this
coming Sunday evening, or at such other serv-
Ice on that day when you may have the largest
congregation. Ask your people in a body their
opinion of the Lodge bill and put their answer
In the blink in the place prepared for the
same. BY doing this you will be assisting the
cause Of right and aiding your people to secure
the franchise from which in many instances
they arc now debarred
"Thc efficacy Of prayer is known to no people
better than it is to Afro Americans. Therefore,
you may find 1t we'll to act upon this suggestion.
Have your Sunday service accentuate by prayer
the peoples desire for the passage OF the Fed
eral election bill.
"After having filled the blank please insertit
In stamped envelope provided and mail at once,
Immediately after service"
The blank sent out with this precious
document has spaces for the town or
city, the name of the church, the num-
ber of the people attending it and for
their opinion of the Lodge bill. So far
there is nothing in the blank to pre-
vent its being used for an opinion ad-
verse to the. bill. The authors of the
plot, however. did not overlook this
point, and, accordingly, have had
printed below: 1--WE have prayed in
body for the passage of the bill. For
ward, Right and Justice" Below this
is a line for the signature of the pastor.
Could there be a more contemplate,
more detestable scheme for manufact-
uring evidence of a public sentiment
which does not exist? The pastors of
CN1ora1 oh hoe N hor ip1,s{oI -
ert their influence, often very great,
over the members of their flocks, to in
duce them to take a position upon po-
lltical question and to favor measure
which the originators of the conspiracy
very we'll know would be most unfortu-
nate in its results to them. For this
wicked purpose the pastors are asked to
employ the Sabbath day, when the
members have assembled for worship.
To cover up the impropriety of such
action there is a cunning attempt to
give pious turn to the transaction.
The efficacy of prayer is suggested, and
the pastor is invited to stifle objections
to this mingling of religion and politics
by giving it the mask OF a religious
duty.
The Republican party has always
been fond of working the churches
in its interest. Behind the mask of
piety it hides the most wicked purposes.
1t is never so ostentatiously pions as
when preparing to stir up strife or to
perpetrate injustice. Nobody knows
better than the leaders in this move
ment that by estranging the Southern
negro from the white people among
whom he lives they are doing him the
greatest possible injury, but they are
not deferred by this from seeking to
perpetrate monumental wrong in the
sacred name of religion. A cause that
must be supported by such means is
desperate indeed. Louisville Courier
Journal.
NORTH AND SOUTH.
The Son of a Former Slave Discusses the
Welfare of Hts Race.