Daily Gazette & Comet [Baton Rouge, LA], April 25, 1860
Several of our fellow citizens were considerably incensed last week, because of punishment inflicted upon their servants without their permission. It appears, that the negroes obtained permission from the proper source, to have a party in the woods outside the limits of the corporation—that whilst on the ground a dispute arose between two of the men, and they commenced fighting; others interfered to part them and just here, some of the police of the town appeared and arrested two or three, whilst the others immediately fled from the scene. That was on Sunday. On Monday morning several of them were taken before the Mayor and condemned to punishment at the jail. So far as the fight extended, it was right to punish them; but beyond that, there was no authority for the action.
We commend the vigilence of the police when they keep within the sphere of their jurisdiction—when they act under their authority, discreetly, for the preservation of the peace. On occasions of the kind here referred to, or when the colored society get permission to have a ball, we notice that there are a number of fellows very ambitious to serve the public, who volunteer their unasked services to go and aid in keeping the peace. The result is, that in mere wantonness they themselves bring about the row in order to have what is called by them “fun.” This we contend is not right; and not being right is wrong. We hope yet, before the glorious reign of Democracy is over, to find a police force independent, just and courageous enough, to arrest these intermeddlers and take them up to judgment. If it is not right to allow the colored society to have dances, then forbid it altogether. If they get permission, then let them be protected from the interference which results in their punishment.