The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-01

The dispatches from LOUISIANA bhus ihi 10
ceiyCd are too meagre in their statements OF
fact. and too evidently partisan in their origin,
to warrant positive conclusion as 70 tne
suficienov and complexion Of the voting in
that State If the truth is told in regard 10
New Orleans, a majority OF the registered
electors abstained from voting, the estlInate VI te,
being 10 600 votes as compared with "a, ,OUO
registered. It must be remembered, however,
that the official record of registration in the
State exhibits total of A 1872 whites and
so. gO7 blacks so that the absence of 10000
voters from the polls in New Orleans does not
necessarily imply a refusal to hold Conven-
tion by the State. Where indifference
exists we may presume that 1t is evinced
by the whites; and though the whole body of
registered whites absented themselves, the
blacks would still have the power of giving
effect to the law. We know of but one cir
cumstance that may prevent the full exercise
of this controlling influence, and it is ocoa-
stoned by the imperfections of the law ITSELF
For full vote anywhere ample facilities for
voting are indispensable. But Congress in its
haste has practically restricted the voting
places to one in each county, and hence large
numbers may find it impossible to attend
within the period prescribed by the order.
Concerning Alabama, well-informed cor
respondent furnishes some suggestive points.
There a more universal interest has been
manifested in the work of reconstruc-
tioD, as the large registration shows. The
registered whites count II, ,747; blacks, S8,248
the latter lacking but 5000 to reach the
aggregate of colored males of the requisite
age in the State. 1t is computed that the
number of non-regstered whites is little short
of 80, 900, and of these the great majority are
described by our correspondent as disfran-
chised-a much larger percentage of the white
population than we should have considered
probable. Our correspondent, however, has
excellent opportunities of ascertaining official
facts, and we direct attention to his statement
as indicating a wider operation of the disabili-
ties imposed by the law than its authors can
be supposed to have contemplated.
The causes which have doubtless dimin-
ished the vote in Louisiana, threaten also to
operate adversely in Alabama. That a vast
majority of the votes given will be for Con-
vention appears certain but the remoteness
of many thousands from the polling places
may prove equivalent to disfranchisement,
and thus the required majority of the total
number registered may be unavailable.
On every ground it is to be hoped that
neither in Alabama nor in any other State
will such a result be realized. Its effect upon
Congress and the country, and especially upon
the South, would be most unfortunate, since
it would not only delay reconstruction, but
would invest it with fresh complications and
render inevitable fresh legislation. It's ten
dency, moreover, would be to produce an i'm
preston of greater hostility, and even OF
greater Indifference, than seems to exist.
What our correspondent says upon this sub
ject, with reference to Alabama, may, we believe,
be accepted as equally applicable to the other
South rn States. The great body of the peo-
pie are tired of the existing condition of affairs,
and anxiously desire the completion of recon-
struction in any manner which Congress may
choose to dictate. But the absence of pro-
per facilities for voting may nevertheless sub
iect them to misapprehensions which cannot
but be mischievous. For this and other rea-
sons, the progress of the elections, now COM
menced, will be watched with mingled anxi-
ETY. and hope. They will decide whether the
South shall have early restoration to the
Union, or whether the task of reconstruction
shall be taken up anew and made the occasion
of further controversy. The result-the esta
blishment of the mastery which Congress as
serts-may be stayed by accident or antagO
nism, but its ultimate occurrence does not ad
NIT of doubt.