New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-07-30

If not by fair means, then by foul, seems
to be the determination arrived at by the
Democratic. campaign managers in regard to
securing colored support for tue Seymour
and Blair ticket. Having set out with the
purpose of carrying Louisiana in the Presi-
Dental canvass of November, il such
thing were within the scope of possible
achievement, they at once threw aside
scruples of all kinds, and began the strug-
gle on the principle that all is fair which
helps to secure victory.
In the rural districts it was found nee
essary to adopt an entirely different policy
from that which they hope will prove most
successful in the city. 1t would touch
their own pocketnerve too keenly if the
blacks should be refused employment and
starved out Of the country; there would be
no means left of securing the products
Of the cotton field, aud gathering
the other fruits of the labor
of black tiTlers of the soil. So the clival-
rous Democrats perforce permit the color
ed laborer to live among them; but he
must be deferred from exercising those sa-
cred rights of citizenship which the humane
and enlightened efforts of the Republican
party have secured to him. Ku-Klux
Klans and other assassin bands were there
fore organized; and by the bloody slaughter
occasionally of an innocent family, it is
hoped to keep the remainder Of the colored
people in such state of fear and subec-
ton that they will not dare to vote at ali,
or will cast their ballots as their cold mas
tiers and best friends" dictate The &C
counts Of murder and rapine which reach
our readers daily from the various interior
parishes prove that the programme here
sketched is being faithfully carried out
In this great metropolis, however, threats
and intimidation would not work so well;
and strong as the city klans undoubtedly
ara they can not begin their appointed work
ofmurder without invoking just but terri
BILE retaliation upon themselves and friends.
Neither would soft answers and honeyed
words ensnare our colored fellow-citizens
into virtual renunciation of all their civil
and political rights. So new measures had
to be adopted, and these, we are informed,
they are now putting into" effect. One of
our Camp street contemporaries has printed
for the Democratic manipulators kind of
certificate which sets forth that the holder,
a colored man, has been duly enrolled as a
Democrat and pledged to vote the Demo-
cratic ticket, and reoo mmending that he be
given. employment on the levee or else
where, in preference to any colored person
who does not hold a similar document.
We have not the slightest objection to
each and every colored man in town seeur-
ing one Of these precious certificates. If it |
becomes a necessity, it is the duty Of every |
man to obtain one in order that he may be |
enabled to properly support himself and
his family. But it is species Of coercion
which is SO contemplate that taking the
prescribed pledge would carry with it no
moral obligation to vote otherwise than. at
The day of holding the election, the CON
science Of each individual might PROMPT
Such compulsory measures are antagonistie
to the spirit Of a republican, form of gouer7a-
gaeat, and we verify believe that an election
held hereunder, and 70 any extent infu.
enced thereby, would be declared iaodlid
BY any honest. .tribunal having revisOry
powers over lt-such, for instance, as viii
the Congress Of the United States possess
Over,the eeming Presidential election.
But It Is not probable the Democrats VIII
seriously affect the Republican strength BIZ
any such mean device, except In one CON
eiasency, and this eclorsd men must strict
j guard against We haee heard It stated I
That several persons beiore they could ob.
tain "Certihcat4a1 were compelled "a sur-
reader their repatriation napers Whioh "a.
titled them TO vote. Wenrgentlg warn aid
aoAnrsa men against submitting to such 4
fea fraud. h