The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-08-31
The Election in Bourbon.
IMMENSE ENTHUSIASM AMONG THE
DEMOCRATS-A DEMOCRATIC NEGRO.
From the Paris Citizen.1

[From the Paris Citizen.]
Beyond all question, the most deep
ly exciting, as it was certainly the most
important, election ever held in this
country occurred yesterday. The in
terest was heightened from an apprc-
hension that a difficulty might occur
between the contending parties. The
news of riot in Lexington on Satur-
day, much exaggerated, caused a pro-
found feeling throughout the commune
ty, and it was deemed prudent to en-
ploy large additional police force, to
close the drinking saloons and adopt
other precautionary peace measures.
We reached tho polls on Monday
morning before they. were opened
Sheriff Booth, to prevent the jostling
and crowding of whites and blacks
promiscuously, had erected a large
partition fence, and on the right side,
above the window, was conspicuously
displayed the word Democratic" and
on the other side Republican," and
it was designed that the Democrats
should vote on one side and the Radi-
calls on the other. When we arrived
the Radical side of the polls was crowd
ed by hundreds of negroes, who SEEM
ingly had been waiting some time for
the opening of the polls.
/ The voting progressed very rapidly
more than one thousand votes being
polled by noon. No one had any idea
how the polls stood between the par
ties until about 3 o'clock, when infor-
nation was obtained that the Radicals
were ahead about $50 votes, having
gained about 100 the previous hour
This news was, of course, dispiritine
to the Democrats and many of them
gave up the election, but others il
seemed only to nerve to more unceas-
ing efforts. All knew that the contest
would be close one, and vehicles
were procured, and the old and infrn
and crippled were brought to the polls
By this time the Radicals seemed te
have exhausted their strength, but the
Democrats worked until the last mo.
ment, struggling almost against hope
but struggling in the noblest cause thai
ever enlisted the support of enlighten.
ed freemen.
In the meantime an error, it seems
had been discovered in the counting o
the votes, and the Radical majOrit,
was cut down more than one hund
red. Then the Democrats became
gloriously elated, and worked harde
and harder. A Democratic triumph
in the country was now regarded a
certain, and to profound depression
the widest exultatiOn succeeded. TIL
glorious news spread like wildfire, ant
Democrats grasped the hands of Demo
Gratis, and shout after SHOUT of victor,
went up which made the very welkil
ring. We have been in exciting polit
zeal contests for more than twent
years, but never did we see such will
joy and enthusiasm as prevailed yes
terday,
It is impossible to describe the seen
at the polls when it became certain tina
the Radical majority had been overes
timated here, and that the Democrat
had certainly carried the county,
Some one cried out that Ruddell's Mill
the home of Captain Moore, the Demo
cratic candidate for sheriff, had give
20Democratic majority. Three cheer
were given with n will. News frol
|, Millersburg was then announced {
Democratic majority, where it WI
feared there would be a tie betwee
the parties; and North Middletown,
Democratic, where it was supposed Il
contest would be very close; of couri
tuCIC WGS CAuttdtiOu.' Anu lucu III
Democratic candidates were cheere
and three cheers were given for the /
ish, who had come up almost solid
Democratic. The polls were closed
. seven O'Clock, and theresult announce
The negroes raised feeble cheers ov
|. the result in this precinct, not seemi,
to realize that they were defeated
the county. But, when at the san
time it was announced that the Demo
racy had carried the county by 173 m;
| joyity, the Democrats shouted unit
they almost became hoarse. And the
came the news from Fayette, whit
was received with cheers. In fact, G,
,,erything was cheered, for the Demo
racy were in glorious spirits.
At night the victorious Democrat
assembled in large numbers on IL
public squarge. A large bonfire WI
started, which illuminated all this sc