St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-05-02
WI ASS Meeting.

Opelousas, April 25, 1891.
Pursuant to call, the white men of st. Ian
dry assembled in Mass Meeting on the Court
House square for the purpose of passing reso-
luti0ns i'll condemnation Of the appointment of
Harry Bloch. colored, as postmaster Of the
Mai. NJ K. Wilson, chairman of the Parish
Democratic Executive Committee, and a prom
inent Farmers Alliance man, called the meet
ing to order. and, on motion of Mr.. ]. J..
Thompson, Maj. Wilson was unanimously elect
cd permanent chairman of the meeting.
On motion OF Il. L. Dupre, L. A. Sandoz and
V. X. 1rion were elected Secretaries.
Mai. Wilson proceeded to explain the objects
OF the mass meeting in brief but emphatic Ian
guage.- He said that he was the friend of the
colOred man, and respected his rights in so far
as they did not conflict with the principle of
white supremacy. 1.-The white man owns the
country" said he. land should fill the offices
of trust and responsibility"
Hon. Gilbert L. Dupr6 was called upon for a
speech, and responded in an eloquent and most
enthusiastic manner. He was frequently ap-
plauaed during the course of his remarks,
= At the conclusion OF Me-. Duprets speech, Mr.
Thompson moved to appoint q committee on
resolutions to consist OF seven members The
chairman appointed the following committee
J. j. Thompson, Paul Lambert, Mentor Andrus,
Geo, Pulford, sr., r. s. Richard, 4. j. Rercler,
Garland Peck.
After short recess, tile committee, through
their chairman. J. j. Thompson, reported the
following resolutions.
whereas, the white people Of the parish of st:
OF the appointment of Harry Bloch colored, as
postmaster of the town of Opelousas and
Whereas, this meeting has been conyoked for
the purpose Of protesting against said appoint
ment, and to take such steps al the exigencies
OF the case may require; therefore be it
Resolved, That We, the white people, unhesi-
tatingly condemn and denounce the aforesaid
agpointment and SILENTLY protest against this
Resolved, That we will not have our mails
scrutiniZed by cOlored postmasters, far less
do we propose to have our wives and sisters
arity of colorod men, however estimable per
SOnally they may be. Be it further
Resolved, That we denOunce any white man
OF set OF while men who will aid, encourage or
countenance said appointment. Be it further
Resolved, That the white people of this State
irrespective OF political differences, are re-
quested to join us in our protest against said
appointment. Be it further
Resolved, That the thanks of our people are
due to the farming element OF this parish for
having taken the initiative in this movement
Be it further '''
given to our local papers for publication and
copy thereof forwarded to his excellency the
President and Postmaster General. BE it
further
Resolved. That we respectfully demand the
revocation of the appointment and consequent
humiliation.
Hon. Fl. L. Garland, before the resolutions
were adopted, took the floor and addressed the
meeting at considerable length. He opposed
the passage Of the resolutions as read, evidently
fearing that violent measures We're to be re-
sorted to. He thought that mere protest was
all that the occasion demanded. He was listen
ed to with respectful attention. as lie always is
in this community, and at the conclusion of his
Mr.. G.: L. Dupr6 rose to address the
meeting. In eloquent and impassioned Ian
guage he sustained the report and resolutions
and urged their adoption without change. The
chairman also favored the adoption OF the res
olutions as they stood and ,disciailned that any
violent measures were contemplated. The res
olutions were then adopted as read with but
one dissenting voice. a-. .~' z.rN
Mr.. T. A. Cooke then offered the following
resolution:
Resolved, That committee of five be ap-
pointed by the chair for the purpose Of person
ally informing Harry Bloch of the action OF the |
and to ascertain from him what are
his intentions In the premises.
The president thereup0n appointed the fol-
lowing committee: j. j. Thompson, T. A.
Cooke, L. A. Sandoz, Oscar Fux and I. s. Ri |
chard.
The meeting then adjourned
NJ. r. WILSON,
L. A. SANDOZ,( sooro+,ros President.
'. K. IRIoN, ) ooeA o'"i''e' f3sas