davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07
Enforcing tho Election Law.

Here Is how the election law is enforced in
the South by the military, sent there by the
radicals to secure the success of their party:
Senator Casserly, of California, introduced
resolution, asking for information concern
ing the use of troops ut the elections. OF
course it produced no official response, as
Grant claims it is no ones business what he
does with the troops, how much money is
squsndered or stolen ia the enterprise, or
whose rights are outraged, or what civil laws
violated.
A gentleman OF the highest credbilty
writes to Senator c. in responce to the inquiry
IS follows, from Virginia:
The enforcement act, so-called, under which
the president claims the authority you challenge,
contains provisions far more threatening than
that which he assumes - wsrrsnting his action.
Under these the United States narshals are at
shis t'me, on the 'ftidsvn Of gang Of deprAved
and ignorant negroes who hang around the Unit.
ed States custom house for G4. purpose, is
suing warrants for the arrest Of parties all
over the common wealth, taking them from their
families and homes and hauling them down to
Richmond to be indicted BY q negro grand jury
and tried BY Q negro petit jury for obstructing
the elective franchise Some OF the charges are
too ridiculous for publication, but when they
are tried before court in which Usderwoo is
judge, and the juriss are ~ have described
them, there is hardly hope that some Of our
best citizens will escape the Albany Peniten.
tiary and a fuinous fine
1.-THE result is that we will not be able TO get
respectable people 10 discharge any duty that
connects them with tho holding OF poll
In this city, Richmond, true bill has been
found against an old and honored citisen on the
oaths of negroes, and - sson as be can get from
sick bod he will be tried by negroes on the
single charge that, at the election Of November
8, he permitted tho division of the voters into
two lines white and tlack,) practice which 10
universal among as, and which was inaugural.
ed BY the military authorities in the first cleo.
ton held in Richmond under their auspices, and
has been uniformly followed since.
1.-THE repeal Of the enforcement act and the
dismissal Of the prosecutions under IT must be
achieved, or elections, where tho blacks are mn.
meroas, will henoeforth be farce unworthy of
the trouble Of repeating"
This game was played to it's fullest extent
in Georgia, and is it not amazing that in spite
of it the hostility to radcsllsm in that state
is so great that the radicals were overwhem-
ingly defeated! ..
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07

When aman is politically dead and used up,
having no hope Of future favors from any party,
he is'apt, in speaking Of the past, to tell the
truth. "Impeacher Ashley of o., is eminen,ly
q politician of this class. Politically dead
past resurrection, he has started on q lecture
tour, and his utterances may be regarded in
the light of dying confession. As such, the
following, which, in recent lecture at
Chicago he uttered in reference to Mr. Val.
landigham, will be regarded with more than
common interest:
He WAS said the lecturer, both able aud hon.
est; less q! . trickster. more Of statesman, sud
withsl much better man, than any OF his own
party Who gained distinction, or no.oriety, rath.
er, BY denouucn2 him. He 10 to-day entitled to
more resp.c, than some OF his esllesuges who.
for place and power, joined the republican party
In all tho relations OF life, as Q man and
citizen, he stands far above many Of his own
party, and in fidelity 70 his convictions, above
many OF the other party who assume TO be rep.
resentative men.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07
The Senatorial Contest.

The telegraph dispatches and newspaper
correspondence from Springfield during the
past week have related to little except the
contest for the U. S Senatorshlp between
Logan and Ogles5y. In fair open fight, it is
said, Oglesby would have the advantage, but
Logan is backed by Grant, who finds him a
ready tool in the San Domingo job and other
profitable ring operations. Accordingly Grant
has ordered to Springfield, as bummers for
Logan, all the federal Office holders in the
country who are supposed to be able, in the
remotest way, to influence the vote of an Hi
nois member. Postmasters, assessors, col.
lectors and inspectors, not only from Illinois,
but from the remotest territories, who have
been appointed from Illinois or through Hi
nois influence, have been ordered to Spring
field to work for Logan, and they e,there to
the number of two or three hundred and all
the superintendent, engineers, contractors,
and hangerson of the government works
at Rock Island are at Springfield working fer
Logan, under the threat that if Logan is
defeated not another dollar shall be appropri.
ated to carry on those works. The members
from Rock Island county, who were instructed
to vote for Oglesby, it is said have succumbed
to this threat, and are going for Logan
There seems, thus, to be nothing in the way
OF Logan's success unless movement which
has been started in favor OF Gov. Palmer
should succeed in withdrawing enough mem.
bers from the radical caucus to enable union
of the ant-Logan men with the democrats to
defeat him. The prospect it is said gives
Logan his chief alarm.
For our part, as between Logan and Oges.
by, which succeeds in matter in reference to
which we are supremely Indifferent For the
democracy ultimately, the meaner the man the
radicals elect the better, and in that view we
know of no better choice they could make
than that Of either Oglesby or Logan. The
election of Gov Palmer or Judge Law.
renee, on the other hand, would be something
so eminently commendable and respectable,
and to the mass of the people such pleasant
surprise, that it could not fail to have an in
fluence on the next election injurious to DEM
ocratic success
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07
Grants Stone Quarry.

Wnen Grant went into the army, he was so
poor that he couldn't more than pay his wash
bills, when he had any washing done, which
was seldom and as for his whiskey and CT
gars, he depended upon the generosity of his
friends and acquaintances about Galena or St.
Louis. From this state of impecuniosity,
Grant has become millionaire He is con-
nected with more rings and big and little jobs
than any man in the nation. Besides his
gold operation with Fiske, Corbin s. Co., his
San Domingo, McGarrigan and Alabama
claims and other gigantic enterprises, the
Red Sandstone quarry affair Is by no means
insignificant. A Washington correspondent
of the New Orleans Picayuns speaks of this
little venture, by means of which Grant s. Co.
manage to turn an honest penny, in the follow
ing terms. As the soldiers would say Grant
and his administration are evidently openly
"on the make
There is no man connected with it, from Con.
eral Grant himself down to General Dent, the
door keeper, and that includes all, who has not
grown rich in office. General Bsbcock tor ex.
ample, who is assigned to the household of the
President in some civil capacity that is hard to
understand, is sent to San Domingo on IN in.
spectlon tour. What the devil there WAS in
San Domingo TO inspect bo,hers US entirely, but
he went out poor and came back rich at least
he has real estate here advertised for sale that is
said to be clear and unincumbered General
Porter, another epauleted creation Of West Point
and court favor, assigned to duty in the sxsou.
tive mansion, is independent on the pay of
colonel.
But I sat down to tell you, in illustration of
what have said, about q common scandal, the
name of which heads this letter.
Outside of Georgetown, on the Potomac, IL .
deposit Of old red sandstone. do not mean by
this the geological formation spoken of BY the
enthusiastic Hugh Miller, but what has proved
to be an auriferous deposit to certain officials in
and about Washington.
The stranger to the national capital 10 struck
with the spread of this stone in every direction
Acres of it are being laid down on the terraces
of the capital, public cemeteries, devoted to the
soldiers who fell on the field of battle or died in
the hospitals, are being lined with the red stone
In word, said strangers must DO struck with
the tremendous supply and use by the govern
ment Of this material. Now, if no ventures to
make an inquiry, and the truth is told him, he
will find that the quarry belonged originally to
clever set of fellows of secession proclivities.
who de1trously resolved themselves into . Joint
stock company, and presented General Grant,
Surgeon General Barnes, General kichler, and
the Lord knows who else shares in this geologi.
cal deposit The consequence il, that there IL q
heavy demand On the part of the government
for this beautiful, valuable, rascslly stone.
And now, when an official grows suddenly
rich, his friends look at each other, smile, and
say Significantly, "Old Seneca"
When magnificent carriage and horses,
with driver and foot.man in livery, dash by, the
knowing ones say, "Old Seneca"
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07
Congressional Practices in Illinois.

The radicals of Stephenson county seem to
have the idea that they can make the system
80 largely adopted in congress, of giving the
office, in cases Of contested elections, to the
man who received the fewest votes. work in
Illinois. Captain Stewart, at the November
election, was elected Sheriff of Stephenson
county by $50 majority. He was foreigner
by birth, but had come to this country IN
1889, when but 10 years of age, md had voted
at every election since 1871. After his cleo
ton as sheriff his defeated opponent called
upon him for positive proof that he had been
regularly natura'ized. Surprising the consti-
tuition OF 1s4S settled that question, he had
no other papers to show, but to remove all
doubt, took regular papers. Stnightway the
radicals took advantage of this, as an admis-
sion of his non eligibility at the time of his
election. and refused to give him his certlf.
cate Of election. A long trial was had, and
radicaljudge decided against HIM, upon which
new election has been ordered. 1t is to be
hoped that &C this second election the demo-
cracy will give the Captain such rousing
majority as will make his election binding
past any further hope OF successful contest.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07

ANOTHER REnrNE.-Grant, in his anxiety
10 secure Georgia to the radical party at .he
late election, besides sending all the bayone,s
he could spare ont of New York, offered the
appointment Of Governor Of Idaho to Rev. DIR.
Bnrd, editor Of the True Georgian but tina,
& 'ntleman, having the welfare of the country
a. heart more than personal aggrandzcrncnt
declined, stating that he had gone over to the
democratic party, and could no longer affiliate
with an organization given up to rascaity and
corruption ashopelessly as the radical party il
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07

SLIGHTLY MIsTAKEN.-John A. Logan, un.
paruoned ex-rebcl and candidate for the Uni.
ted States Senate, had the impotence to write
a pitesus letter to the Hon. VIM Massenberg,
representative elect from Stephenson county,
begging his vote for the Senasorship. As
Mr.. NJ. was elected an an independent con.
servative, is an honest man, and stands in
structed to vote for none but an honest man
for L. s. Senator, he has politely intimsted
to NJ. Logan that, under his instructions he will
be compelled to vote against him or "any other
man" having similar record
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07

1he democracy of Alabama, ignoring the
practice OF "the party Of great moral
id'aS'' instead ofclecting carpet-baggerfrom
some northern state-some escaped peniten.
t'ary bird or defaulting radical Office holder
have chosen Judge Goldthwait United States
senator. OF course the Judge, having been
Tor forty years citizen Of that state is not
eligible, at last in the Judgment Of a radical
congress, and he will probably be rejected for
some Niger or other, as soon as one can be
hunted up, and provided with documents for
that purpose Old and respectable citizens of
ule southern States, though resting under no
charge o. treason or disoyaty, have no rights
t"at modern radicals are bound to respect,
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07
From WashtnGton.

Congress rc-assembled on Wednesday, but
with SO small an attendance in either house.
that no business was done. The San Domin-
go resolutions Of the senate we're set for Mon
day in the house.
In respect for the wife of Secretary Belknap,
who had been buried on Saturday, there was
no reception at the Executive Mansion on new
years day, and the president, in company with
the vice president, and some others rode over
to Arlington to take look at the graves of
some 10000 soldiers buried there.
Horace Greeley has been spending day or
two with Grant, on Grants invitation, to talk
over the San Domingo business. Greeley has
been studiously noncommittal on the ques-
ton, whence Grant took the hint that by a
little judicious management the influence of
the Tribune could be manipulated in favor of
the job. 1t is understood Greeley is to be one
Of the commissioners under the senate resolu-
tions.
All the arrangements to secure radical vic
tory at the recent election in Georgia having
failed, Senator Cameron is on his way to Wash
ingtOn from that state with numerous docu-
ments to upset the election. The plan is now
to defeat the will of the people both of Geor-
gia and North Carolina, by remsnding those
states back to all the pains and penalties Of
reconstruction.
In the mass of documents called for by him
self, and submitted to the senate on Wednes-
day, regarding Senator Sprague and his Bro
theirs trading operations on the Texan bour-
der during the war, appears report of Judge
Holt recommending the trial of Senator
Sprague by military commission, for trading
with the enemy. 1t is dated five years ago,
and has never before been made public.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07
Governors Message.

We Law the message Of Gov. Palmer, de-
liyered to the Illinois Legislature on Wednes'
day, before our readers IN an extra, Its length
procludng its insertion in our columns Our
readers will find it document well worthy OF
careful perusal. Notwithstanding its great
length, they will inG nothing in it that is
there inappropriately or that ought to have
been omitted. The governor appreciates to its
full extent the multiplicity and Importance of
the duties imposed upon the present legisla-
ture by the new constitution, and his sugges-
tions on a variety of subjects in that connec.
ton are in the main judicious and will tend,
we apprehend, in some degree to ligh ten the
labors of our law makers. The new constitu-
ton directs the present Legislature, among
other important duties, to pass general laws
for no less than "a different purposes, among
which are especially enumerated granting di-
vorces, changing names of persons and places,
laying out and opening roads, locating and
changing county seats, Incorporating cities,
towns and villages, charterins ferries, bridges,
&c, granting charters to corporations of all
kinds, &c, &c, comprehending, in short, an
entire new code to regulate and dispose OF,
once and forever, thousand subjects which
] ave hitherto been the subjects of special leg
islation. To properly frame and digest such
code is a work which may well tax all the
the ability not only Of our Legislature, but
of the executive and the leading minds of
state besides
In reference to the penitentiary swindle,"
the Governor, while canddly confessing the
gross mismanagemcnt and rottenness of the
concern, gives US also the key to most of the
trouble, which lies, he plainly shows, IN the
system which places its management in the
hands of three commissioners, of equal grade,
no one personally responsible, and all of them
ready to cast the responsibility Of mismanage-
ment from their own shoulders and place 1t
upon these of their colleagues. The whole
system is vicious, and calls loudly for reform
alton.
AS IN his former message SO in the present,
Gov. Palmer lets his whome democracy crop
out in manly re-assertion of the rights of the
states, and a protest against the encroach
ments on those rights of the national govern
ment.
Neither is the Governor mealy -mouthed in
asserting to its full extent the power of the
legislature to control and regulate the tariff
charges and fares, and otherwise to supervise
the internal affairs and management of the
railroad corporations Of this state.
Bat it is needless to recapitulate the sub.
jccts SO ably handled by the Governor. The
style, temper and matter of the message
throughout are commendable, and while
doubtless here and there passages could be
picked out for condemnation, as whole it is
Immensely above the average of similar docu.
ments inflicted upon the people by radical
governors
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07

FEMALE GHoULs.-It seems 10 be the rule
first class blue stocking" she also becomes
scandal.monger, and attacks dead heroes
AS Mrs. Stowe maligned the memory of BY.
ron, so has Mrs. Stanton pcrpetrated foul
libels on the private life Of Henry Clay, and
not. only does this female ghoul belle and be-
foul his private history, but the amaible Mrs.
Clay and her unfortunate son are not spared.
These literary scandal mongers, like neighbor.
hood gossips and common scOlds in general,
ought to be soused in a ducking pond.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07

When Grant was swern in as President. he
said, in his inaugural address,
II shall, OH all subjects, have no policy to re.
commend, and none TO enforce against the will Of
the people"
How does Grant reconcile this declaration
with his pet job, the San Domingo business {!
That job is not only palpably against the will
Of the people, but he labors to enforce" it
against the will of bis own party. 1t is doubt.
less one of the most gigantic frauds of the age
and on par with his proposition that the
government buy up the Alabama claims for
the benefit Of Il ring Of which he himself is
the head center.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07

Gov Hoffman, of New York, is not an adj
mirer of Grants plan to "entorce" radical
victories in democratic states by the use of
the military. In his message to the New
York Legislature on Monday he says:
ITO depend for peace and order Of localities
on the federal army is not self-government. To
substitute the regular soldier with his muskct
~ n peace officer, in the place of the constable
with his writ, Is not to preserve tho peace, but
to establish condition CT war. To surrender
the elections to the control Of the president,
supported by armed forces is TO surrender lib.
erty and TO abandon q republic"
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07

Some radicals have been "going through" the
camps Of the "Heathon Chinese" on the East
branch, below Soda bar, lately, carrying of pro.
visions, etc. John, in giving version Of tho af.
fair says that mo catch EN- now. all right bime.
ny hell catch them, allie same"
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07

PERU HERALD.--The last Peru Herald an.
nounces the sale of that establishment. of
which q. M. Sapp has hitherto been proprie.
tor, to Hon. II. NJ. Gallagher and l.. A. Will.
son. This looks as If the Herald was here.
after to be democratic paper.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07

A lady in Memphis not exactly po.ted on the
word "disfranchsed," was told that Mr.. Smith
was disfranohised, and she wanted to know how
long he had "been So" On being informed that
he had been 90 about four years, she said she
didn't Geo how that could be, for Ars. Smith had
. child only two years old.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07

Over in Indians they arc discussing ths quss.
tion "how minister osn preach we'll with only
two cents n bis pocket"
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07
PROM EUROPE.
The War.


Tho dispatches during the week show nm.
wonted activity on the part of the French, and
indicate some respectable successes.
Reports from Bordeaux state that several a..
we're engagements had taken place along the left
bank Of the Loire, in which the French vere 40
successful hat the Prussians are falling hack N.
wards Paris.
There is also pretty reliable report of a severs
engagement between the French arnv of III.
North, under Gen. Faidherbe, at Baupaum. near
Arras, in which the Prussians were defeated.
The taking OF For, AKRON, BY the Prussian,.
has given them foothold 30 near Pari. that thew
are able to throw shells into the city on the east
ern 'ide though they appear still to be too far
oat OF reach to do serious damage.
Spain.
The news from Spain is startling. The new
King Amadeus, Of Italy, had just landed at Car.
thegena, and was about to start on his triumphal
march overland to Madrid, when news reached
him of an attempt, in Madrid, to assassiuate bis
chief friend and supporter, Gen. Prim On
Wednesday evening, just as the cortes had ad.
journed, and Gen. Prim wa. proceeding to his
home in his carriage, eight shots were fred at
him by band in the street. Seven balls were
lodged in his arm and shoulder The wounds
were not supposed to be dangerous, but the oper.
alton Of extracting the balls proved 90 severe
that the General sank under it, and died en- Fri.
day evening.
There have been no outbreaks in conseq ueuce
OF this outrage, the public indignation against
the assassns being such that the authorities are
able to keep down the reds" by whom the as.
estimation was concocted, and from whom alone
. revolutionary outbreak il to be feared.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07

The London Times says Grants last message
only marks another stage of the Presidents
downward career.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-01-07
England.

The conference Of London on the Eastern ques.
ton appears to DO indefinitely postponed on -.
count Of the Pruss,an governments unwilling.
mesa to recognize any plenipotsntlsry to be Up.
proved by the present government OF France