The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-11-15
ATRocIoUs FRAUD AND INFAMY,
From the New Orleans Bee, Nov. 4


were circulating through our streets Of contem-
plated STUPENDOUS SYSTEM OF FRAUD,
PERJURY, AND SCOUNDRELISM in the
Parish of Plaquemines, whereby that Parish, with
voting population of less than FIVE hundred,
would be made to give one thousand or twelve
hundred locofoco majority We were laughed at
by few honest locofocos who could not conceive
of the existence of such vainy, but we had re-
ceved our information from sources too anthem
tic to doubt the fact The system has been car
ried out. THE INFAMY HAS BEEN PER-
PETRATED. As to the mode in which it was
tleman who was present at the voting will best
demonstrate.
If there be anything in the annals of outrage
and wrong more utterly revolving and hdeous
than the conduct of the presiding officers of the
election at Plaquemines, it has escaped our
search. If it be tamey tolerated, if it be sub
mtted to with meekness, the people of Louisi-
ana may as we'll fold their arms and surrender
their government to the oafers and vagabonds
the offScourings of society, the lees and refuse of
the community who control the ballot-box, and
thrust in their spurious votes in defiance of law
and justice. If this gross system of imposture
and crime prove irremediable, we may bid fare
well to the dream of selfgovernment and popu-
lar institutions. Let the honest citizens of every
party look at the naked fact. TWELVE HUN
DRED LOCOFOCO MAJORITY in parish
which never yet gave four hundred votes; and
from three hundred and fifty to four hundred re-
sidents of New Orleans who had cast their suf-
frages here on Monday, allo,Oed to uote double
in Plaquequemines on Wednesday,
We have much more to say on this subject,
but must content ourselves for the present with
calling attention to the simple statement of facts
appended:
A number of young whigs night before last
having learned that the locofocos had freghted
steamer with objects wearing the human form,
men they can not be called,) for the purpose of
pipe-layng the parish of Plaquemines, deter
mined to watch their manUuvres, and to ascer-
tain their destination and to accomplish this
object, chartered the steamer Swftsure, which
they got under way about one O'Clock in the
morning, some three hours after the ocofoco boat
had put out. About three o'clock a dense fog
| lie to some hours. At six, the mist having clear
| ed away, they came in view of the object of their
pursuit, made fast to the left bank of the river.
| The Swiltsure landed on the opposite side and
despatched boat over, which sho lily returned
with the information that about $50 persons were
being qualified to vote, and that their destination
| was Poin,e la Hache, where a poll would be
opened at 10 o'clock. The wings Immediately
got under way for that place, and the boat was
soon landed opposite staff bearing the American
Ensign. Before, however, she could be made
fast, the Sheriff of plaquemines ordered the boat
to be removed, in an authoritative tone, saying
that it was his landing, and that it must be kept
| clear for boat which he soon expected with
voters on board. Not wishing to create any dis
| turbance, the wings advised the captain to drop
down to the point, which he did, while they re-
| NAMED on the ground claiming the right, as Amer
lean citizens, at least, to remain at the polls as
| spectators. In few minutes the steamer Plant.
er, Captain Lodwick, neared the shore, his boat
swarmng with beings who made the air ring
with shouts for Polk and Dallas. So thoroughly
| crowded was the boat, that in their descent from
| the upper deck one man had to leave each side at
the same time to prevent her careening over
Once on land they were marched or driven like
a herd of swine to the road, and there formed
into sort of line to await the arrival Of the
| Agnes, another boat in the locofoco employ.
She, however, did not detan them long, and came
booming up with a crowd similar in character.
though far less in number, headed by Judge Leo
nard, who had so far forgotten that dignity that
is reckoned to appertain to his office, as to hur-
rah, and amalgamate with MEN who were jour-
neying to ,rampe upon the Constitution, and
desecrate that instrument the American people
prize above all earthly blessings-the ballot box.
The "Sovereigns" from the last boat having
touched terra frma fell in rear of the line first
formed, and with sort of demonac yell, rushed
to the polls, and commenced their work of per-
petuating freedom. This was about twenty min
utes after nine, and before hafpast ten "a little
over an hour--over $50 voices had spoken for
Polk and Dallas" and Equal Rights"
Among those who had been .freighted from this
city, were large number recognized by the wings
wings as residents or soourners in the municipal-
ties-the largest portion from the second-of
whom, doubtless, over two-thlrds voted on Mon
day. Of that fact, however, we will leave it to
the authorities, with the assistance of the COM
mittee, TO ascertain. We are assured, neverhe-
less, that a considerable number Of them have
been booked by the wings who were there at the