The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1907-11-02
hEeRo VOTERS ADVISED.
A Conservative Colered Mans Counsel TO
His People-Why they Should sup
port the Pharr Ticket.


port the PhaFr Ticket.
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 81, 1907.
EDITOR CHIEF:
Dear Sir-I have read with pleasure
and sovereign interest the "Rugle Call
TO Louisianiaus'' and "a Significant
Contrast, 1.-TWO articles which appeared
In the last publication OF The Chief,
These productions were very aappy
Inspirations: they enlighten and for.
tify.L The fact that the Republican
ticket rs presented By the regular
Republican committee will be placed
on the official ballot without the for
mality of primary contests, will be
accetted by the friends of constitu-
tional government as a most crafty
ing and reassuring announcement.
The duty of the hour is for the peo-
pie to qualify themselves, and get
ready to support the excellent ticket
headed by Mr.. Henry N. Pharr.
From the information pointedly given
in your writing, Mr.. Pharr is the
right man for the place and the occa-
sion; he is worthy of trust, and fitted
in every way for the responsibilities
attached to leadership.
Such man is needed-one who has
the prestige, the power, the character
and ability to lead respectable oppo-
sition against the s'abuses and ineon-
sistencies'' which have worked so
much injury to the good public OF
louisiana. He stands for honest
government, 'tfor the enforcement OF
law without fear or favor. y There is
enough promise in such a platform TO
satisfy any citizen who knows the
evils OF the time and has a mind to
attack them. Our colored citizens es-
peciaily should seize the opportunity
and give their votes to that ticket
which represents benefit for the state
in which they live, and spirit Of
fairness to all men.
They have an interest to help re-
deem the state, and the absolute obi.
cation TO sustain any man who is
committed TO the enforcement of the
law without fear or favor. -
1t may be difficult matter, perha ps,
for the colored masses to make a re-
adjustment of thoughts and methods,
but It is worth while for them tc
try the experiment, and bring into
their calculations the logic of their
condition and the value of their self
preservation.
They have suffered enough to be
wise, aud this wisdom, If consulted
will teach them the course to pursue
in order to secure the blessings Q:
! peace and justice, not only for them
! selves, but likewise for their children
The crisis is upon them, and they
must find the way to liberase theil
minds from the muddling influences O
the political mand arms whose advice
has always been loss to principle
The shutters counsel, dressed in thu
best of form, is not among their press
| ing requirements, and whether the per
former be white or black, it is tht
same, in Fielding's language, it il
nothing. We must shun trickery ane
| sponsors OF trickery, and most par
ticularly that harmful ruse which fol
the want of better term, may be de
scribed as the policy Of nigrifcation
This insistence TO mongrel the party
in all its details is the most pernici
GUS subterfuge th at could be resorted tt
| in community where race prejudice i!
the ruling passion. It serves as (
barrier to all progressive liberalism
it increases irritation. and it multi
plies and embitters the woes OF tht
victims. Equality can exist withou
enforced promfseuity, and in this par
of the country justice standing alon,
would be worthy of the most ferTen
observation.
Indeed, no subject ought to be more
agreeable to our prayers than wha
President Roosevelt calls ''genera
equality or what Candidate Pharl
has promised enforcement of tn,
| law without fear Or favor.''
| Equal treatment under the law is
right; membership by color is, at thu
most, personal distinction. Tht
difference is obvious: any citizen will
patriotic impulse will readily forege
the latter if that is necessary in ordel
to secure the former.
After this what more need be said
unless it be tesurge upon the coloret
voters the wisdom of realizing condi
tions, and to act according to their in
cident knowledge for their best in
terest and welfare.
To advise them that this is no tim
to lend willing ear to leaders WHIT
are such only in name, with tons o
| promise but with minims of power il
every respect; that these are danger
Gus guides, for t'there is no might il
them;" that no appeal on the grount
OF their color should be needed. II
make such appeals a dead Issue, ant
to turn their faces toward the new or
der of things, as toward the door o
hope. To tell them to remember thl
crime of disfranchisement, and who i
responsible for it, to remember thei
eurtailed right of liberty and propert,
in some sections OF the state and es