The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1914-01-03

in the midst of white people on all
sides, The True Democrat would op-
pose it. But the situation at Forest
is entirely different
2. Any fear, that it would affect
local labor unfaVorably, arises from
misconception of the aims and pur-
poses of the school, the name uni
versity" itself being misnomer. 1t
Is a school for workers and to teach
workers. 1t will be big demonstra-
ton farm, and local negroes, if so dis
posed, will be given the opportunity
to observe and learn improved meth
DDS of farming. Carpenters, brick
masons, ETC., will be trained There
will be no "silk-hatted, fat rascals"
to pervade the country Police regu-
lations can easily be devised that only
small numbers of students will be al
lowed out of grounds at time. 1t is
not the hard-working, plain negroes
of the parish, or the educated ones
either, that impose criminal expense
on West Feliciana, as every one knows.
1t is the whiskey-drinking, cocaine
eating loafers that cause the trouble.
Needless to say, school under state
regulations and supervision would be
under good discipline.
3. Property owners nearest to the
Mcqueen place are not Directing to
the school, lest it depreciate property.
1t is not possible that it can hurt prop
erty interests, say on the Woodville
road
4. The loss in parish taxes is not
appreciable, as the amount a hundred
times over could be realized from sup
plies, ETC., sold to the school. Almost
any one, in business, can see for him
self possible source of personal pro-
! fit in this direction. There is enough
business acumen left us all to see this
without being shown"
Certainly, no mere prejudice against
the negro should have weight in the
face of the really good reasons in IA
Vor of the school. That it is largely
prejudice must be admitted when one
recalls that no protest was offered
against the establishment of distil.
lery in this parish, our state senator
even donating the land therefor. The
one was a possible source of negro
debauchery, the other, designed to
make the negro a better citizen.
Again, when the question of locating
the State Reform School, came before
the Legislature, our senator made
Istrenuous exertion land for which he
deserves credit to have this institu-
ton located at old Centenary, Jackson,
La, despite the fact, that the school
was for criminals and for white boys
and blacks together, and also was d.
rectly across the street from some of
the incest residences in Jackson. The
senator knew that the reform school
would not injure Jackson. It is there
fore not consistent to oppose a school,
for benefcent purposes purely and at
tended by self-respecting negro pupils,
In an isolated part of West Feliciana
parish. East Feliciana may we'll ask
1.-THE question, Why this discrimination?
The True Democrat is neither negro
lover nor negro batter. 1t believes in
Justice for the negro, and opportunity,
and having an Astounding faith in the
ability of the people of West Feliciana
to deal with this problem, is positive
that no harm would come of it, but
great benefit to all concerned. West
Feliciana was among the first, if not
the very first, Of the parishes of Lou
isiana to secure white supremacy in
the days Of reconstruction. The men
of the 7O's put the negro in his place
in the face of the United States gov
Iernment, when the negroes were drunk
with power and insolent with success.
Surely the sons of those old heroes
are not unequal to the task Of being
broad enough and wise enough to edu-
cate the negro, as he should be edu-
Gated, industrially, without any fear
of social or business contamination.
West Feliciana, with the prestige of
such brave past, is in the best posi-
ton to show that she is not fearful Of
new conditions or unable to cope with
them, that where other parishes are
timid and prejudiced, she is broad and
unafraid.