The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-24

| The controversy over the origin, deriva.
ton. and significance OF the word creole
began years ago. and has been In progress
ever since. Until Friday last. however. the
adjustment Of the question was in the
hands OF disputing phiologers On that
day 1t passed summarily and. we hope.
finally. into the hands OF Louisiana mob.
creole is. properly speaking. an Ameri-
can born OF French or Spanish parents res
ident In the semi-tropical portions of the
continent. adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico.
The climatic conditions prevailing In those
regions differ materially from those exist
Ing In France and Spain; and creoles, most
numerous In Louisiana and Florida. do not
enjoy the robust vigor which marks the
larger number OF Frenchmen and Spanards
| But they. especially the creole women,
| have marked characteristic OF beauty
and supple grace: deep black eyes. soft,
| smooth. delicate compilations. gentle voices.
and symmetry OF figure. without obesity
Creoles are full-blOOded white persons with
out any admixturc whatever OF negro or
Indian ancestry. aud they pride themselves
particularly upon this fact which is an ex-
ception to the general rule in most Spanish
American or West Indian countries
The general belief Of many uniformed
persons is that creole and octoroon are
synonymous terms. This erroneous view,
tenaciously adhered to during many years,
was shared by u theatrical manager who
has been touring the United States with
number OF octoroons. mulattoes, and ne
groes OF both sexes in a company called
La Belle Creole Mnstrels." When the
company. on its Thespian travels. reached
~ 7 rtofo tI, hx,.~ e
creoles. trouble began. At Lake Charles
great Indignation was shown, but no vio-
lence. and the theatre was empty. At New
Iberia the situation was 80 threatening
that there was no performance. When the
company reached Lafayette. they found
that meeting had been held to dcnounco
their attempt to besmirch the fair name |
OF Louisiana" by paradng crowd of quad
room women as creoles; and committee |
headed by the Mayor informed them that
they could not play there. but had better |
leave at once. The mob collected around |
the car in which the alleged creoles we're,
and there were threats to burn it IL they
did not leave. The manager decided it was
best to quit the creole country and. under
this promise. the mob desisted from inter-
ference. and the pretended creolcs departed
North on fast express. They will never
go to Louisiana any more
Many persons unable, 1t would appear, to
understand by the ordinary methods of
calculation the clear distinc-
ton between a creole and mulatto or an
octoroon. will comprehend the matter Der
fectly when acquainted with the incident in
Louisiana. which we have described. The
creole minstres, it may be said without
offence. prosecuted in the Pelican State
what might be called in the language OF
politicians an educational canvass. Thev
vent about. 80 to speak. giving an object
essen. Their reward. the penalty Of adj
ranced reformers the world over, was CEN
sure and rebuke. They were driven away.
They were told to move on. There were
hreats OF fire and Of personal violence.
Their treasury was depleted. and the audi
ors to whom they appealed for patronage,
we're angry and unsympathetic. So the
reoie company came North. after perform
ng. Internationally and at considerable
oss to themselves. public service OF a
literary and ethnologic character.