Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1875 — The White League. [ARTICLE]

The White League.

If General Grant violated the Constitution, the White League of Louisiana afforded hin»an excellent pretext for so doing. Ot course, the pretext cannot be cited as Graiw’s justification. Only a knave will- take advantage of a pretext; But at the same time only rogues or simpletons will offer pretexts. Of these two classes we consider the White League to be composed. Some persons tell us it is a very innocent association; but the sentiments expressed in the speeches of its greatest champions forbid us to believe anything of the sort of fa “The White League!” Its very name condemns it. It flings its banner to the winds with the wordsr “This is a White man’s country !” Its very name, then, is prima fadeevidence that it is a conspiracy organized to defraud the negro of his rights, and that it appeals to prejudices of race to aid itin carrying out its criminal design. Suppose a Black League were to rise up in the South? Would not {suspicion, be instantly aroused? Would not people ask what the thing meant? Would not astonishment and indignation be expressed at those blacks? Would not men interpret the purpose of their organization as a menance to the whites? Certainly they would. And this; interpretation would be both just and natural. Now, what is sauce for the goose must be sauce for the gander. The same suspicions exist j regarding the White League, and the same questions can as fairly and properly be put concerning their society. The White League is an Auli-Negro League. That is its name in other words. .Congress passes reconstruction laws—Congress talks; but the White League acts, and nullifies those laws. This is the intent and purpose of that society; and it the White Leaguers were honest they would squarely acknowledge the charge. We bear no ill-feeling toward the South. We cherish no sectional prejudices. We have no party purposes to, subserve. Our honest desire is to see the people of all the sections of our common country prosperous and happy. In saying this much we feel we but express the sentiments of the great majority of the people of the North of both polite - ical parties. But true prosperity cannot exist independent of justice. The good people of the South desire tor bejurt toward the colored man. They have accepted the issues of the war, ami they are now as loyal and as law-abiding as the people ot any other part of th% \Union. Of this we are assured * At the same time, it is clear there are certain misehievious men, amongst them, who retain a little leaven of the old nigger-driving days, and who do their beat to, give a rebellious complexion to the eutire Southern population. From, men of this sort the people of the South have long; since turned aside. But they must do more. They must, in justice to themselves, lie* the North know that not only are they not of suoh men, nor in any — way influenced by them, but that they are uncompromisingly opposed to them, and will use their best exertions to defeat their purpose. The White League is Grant’s best ally; and the people of the South should know this.— N. K Irish World.