Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1895-06-01
Slavery OutdOne in Lou
iSiana
DEPLORABLE CONDITION.
WOMEN BRUTALIZFD-MEN SHOT
DOWN.
COIOrtd Men Have No Rights which
White Men are Bound to r spect.
DEPLORABLR CONDITION.
CENrRAL, La. May Is, '95

CENTRAL, La, May is, 80
Mr.. Editor -
Please give me space in
the columns of the pLANET to say q few
words TO the outside world about the
treatment and condition of the colored
people in this State.
Many fancy articles have been written
by tourists in the South. and published
in the papers, purpOrting TO give these
things, but they no more give facts than
II there were no facts.
People who visit the South and stop
in cities, know nothing OF the facts.
To see their condition as it il, one must
come into louisiana, go on the river
plantations, where the overseers,
(many of whom are either ex convicte
or fugitiVes from justice from other
Statee) are armed with their pistols,
one on each side OF the saddle, double
harreled breech loa ling shot gun across
their laps and rawhide whip in hand
while at his side may be seen the ever
faithful hounds whose duty it is to run
down any who may chance to resist
the lash and run away. have said
shot gun
WHY THE SHOT GUN IN UsED.
Some one might ask why they use the
shot gun instead of repeating fl ,.
The answer is that not one out of ev-
erv ten men woul hit man with a
rifle while running and a shot gun load
ed with buckshot would scatter them
so that some of them would hit. Sup
pose they shoot and kill somebody
This is the question that civilized and
law abiding people ask what would BIZ
the result? Nothing. The man who
does the shooting will defy any one up
on pain Of death (Which would surely
follow to testify against him. II W,
apply to the authorities of the law fol
protection they simply tell us that vi
had better go on and keep silent 70
fear we get a doubleportion.
EVERY AGEANc EXHAUSTED.
We have exhausted every means t
get relief but all to no purpose; we hav
applied to the Governor, but he seem
to think it best for him to work for 6h
Igood will of his white friends, draw hi
salary. and have a good time.
i At dawn OF day, the plantation be
rings, five minutes after that the over
seer is in his saddle and all wko are nc
out ten minutes later are liable to /
: dashed.
Our wives and daughters are curse
: right before our faces for d-n-b- an
we are cursed for d-n-s-b aud da,
not attempt to resent the insult, nj
even by a look resentment.
FL Ofcourke we do not always submit |
it because we are afraid, but we ha'
: no protection, no one to whom we ms
! complain; no one to hear our appeal
Many of the larger sugar aud cote
: plantation of the State belong to Il
I authorities Of the law, and instead
! protecting US, they aid the overseers
= the execution of their designs.
Many places in the swamp plantatio
:. our women are not allowed to stop o
> of the field 60 wash until Saturday no,
! and neve know what it is o eat brea
I fast and dinner in our houses exec
q Sunday. We dare not leave the plant
: tion to attend any business whatev
"A without the consent of the oVefseel
% One may say l would go any way b
y not so; these overseers are in leaR
. with each other and they know {
= hands in their neighborhOod and who
= place each live on. II one is seen off (
place acting a little suspicious, he is ,
rested at once without the shadow of
warrant and carried heme-handcDfI
and roped up
II Negro runs away and gets In
another State and they find him, til
make a feiOnious charge against hi
take out warrant and go after him.
- These are facts. can give names a
. establish proof.
D. In my next letter I will give Won
idea as to how we are bought and 4,
le by custom under the form Of Law.
= 5. 30 IL