New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-02-13

The unexpectedly small vote cast in the
late Alabama election will serve as a warn
ing, we trust, to the true friends Of recon
struction both in the South and at the
national capital. With a registered Re
publican vote amounting to a very large
majority, there has been barely a sufficient
number cast to secure the ratification of the
constitution. We observe, however, that
fears are entertained in even Republican
circles that this much is a matter OF
some doubt. While we do not share ID
these fears, we confess that the escape from
defeat has been a very narrow one, If in
deed cur friends there have succeeded at
all. 1t may even yet turn out that the
result is what every rebel 10 Alabama has
been working, praying, scheming, hoping
for during the canvass. 1t is worthy Of re-
mark that nearly all the votes polled were
Tor the constitution, the opposition having
again resorted to their old tactics Of hang
ing back, with the addition of unusual
exertions to keep the freedmen from voting.
Threats of dismissal were made against
any hand who left the plantation for the
purpose of attending the election. And it
is said that many of those who disregarded
these threats on the first and second days
were summarily dismissed. The usual in
limitation was resoFted to at the polls, and
in going to and returning from voting.
These measures had an immense influence
ia ~obstructing the free exercise of the
elective franchise.
The same policy will be tried in this
state. The little stir recently observed
among the so-called Democrats of this
city, which resulted in a meeting or two at
Parlor P, was merely for the purpose of
coming to an understanding among them
selves to defeat our constitution by default.
A half a dozen or so of dissatisfied Repub-
~licans, of no possible Importance, have
promised to join hands with their i'm
plaoabis enemies, and assist the copper
heads in cutting their political throats.
There is a way, however, by which these
undetermined schemers may be eifeetually
checked. Let the senate At once take up
and pass the house supplemental bill,
which provides fer the ratification Of the
Southern constitutions by a majority of
thOss voting on that subject, without regard
to the number registered. Probably one
9th Of those registered will be unable to
vote on the day of election. Since the
registry books were first opened, a fearful
epidemic has prevailed in this state, es-
pecially in this city, which was very fatal
to men Of the voting age. Thousands of
freedmen have since removed Into other
parishes, few If any OF whom have pre-
served their registration papers. A large
vote will thus be lost. In addition to this,
every means will be resoFted to for the pur-
pose Of keeping voters from the polls. The
rebels have long since discovered that they
can not influence the votes of their former
slaves when Once at the polls, but they can
invent devices to keep them away. Every
registered absentee, under the present
Jaw SVNue1 - n WV u&hAuSt NubahChtaQHs
But let the senate pass the house bill with
out delay, and we shall have no fears for
the result; or If we are then beaten, it will
be in e fair, open fight, without the fearful
odds against US with which eur brethren in
Alabama had TO contend.
We believe that upon the admission of
Louisiana into the UniOn before
November depends the certainty of
the success of the Republican party in
the next presidential election, If per
mitted a voice ia that important contest,
her seven electoral votes will surely be
cast for the nominees Of the Republican
national convention. This the rebels we'll
know. It is therefore a vital object with
them to keep this and all other Southern
states out Of that election. They have no
hopes Of carrying . single one, There are
eighty odd VOTES In the South for the Re
publican party, merely Tor he asking. II
will be folly nSt to nae all hoaorable naeans
to secure them. The loyal people of this
esaie now depend upon the United States
senate to give tAsm an opportunity to
maat The enemy On equal teraass We trust
their eEeecsatfoas will be iuI6llea.