Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1871-06-10
From the Houston Union.
Letter from Dallas.
Democratic Trickery and Rascality io~ArI the col'
uiud nicn Ia DaiiA--thr Democrats prevent a lair
election Of Militia Captain.
DALLAS, TEXAs, May u, lS1l.

DALLAS, TEXAS, May u, 1871.
EpiroRs UyloS The Dallas Herald OF
the 10Th inst. says, "rhe oolored citizens OF
this place in organizing themselves as
State militia, preferred TO have separate
organization, aud II Is our duty, as chroni-
clers of events, TO record the fact that the
negroes were 50 terribly in earnest in the
matter OF keeping unmixed, they electad
Jack Eakins, colored man, over Jack
Scott, n white man." quote the above
with u view 10 showing the very repre-
hensible conduct and unlawful proceedings
of few leading men and Democrats
some of them 'our best citizens in
their uuwarran table inter ference with the
organization of the militia at this place,
and defrauding the colored men out OF
their choice of Il captain and the publica E
ton by the Herald, for the purpose Of cou-
cealing and perpetuating the fraud, OF
what il knew TO be u false statement. The
truth is the colored people almost unani-
mously desired to elect white man, Jack
Scott, their Captain. This desire becom-
ing known, the aforesaid exemplary citi-
zen" ut once set about connecting plan
to defeat it. Notwithstanding their pre-
tended aversion to "nigger equality" these
par excellent Ang!o-SaxQns began to assoc
ciate very intimately and on the most IA
miliar terms with the colored folks, and
were seen at the corners and on the side
walks in very close and apparently re-
spectful conversation with them and am
told that by bribing with money, whisky
and lies, they obtained from few negroes
PROMISES to vote for the colored man for
CAPTAIN. | am informed also that one of
the prominent men in this disgraceful af-
iair. said it cost him and his friends one
hundred dollars. Right here | will say
that Republicans never make 80 low and
So culpable stoop as this to influence ne
gro votes, even in more important cleo
lions. And yet these same excellent, mod
ell Democratic gentlemen and their Xix, ar
roga,e to themselves all the high ton ed
homer, decency and respectability in this
community Ii these virtues are not found
elsewhere than in these men, God help
our community. But this is not all nor
the worst of this shameful proceeding.
About | | o'clock A. NJ, the colored men as
semhled to elect their company officers.
The aforesaid meddlesome gentlemen
thought they had the "thing stocked
against Jack Scott. The colored men form
ed in line, and were to elect their Cap
tain by marching and taking a convenient
position near their favorite candidate.
Five went to Jack Evans. and oil tho rest
in body started to Jack Scott, wbereupon
these orderly gentlemen seeing their plans
about to miscarry, suddenly rushed be-
tween the colored men and Scott, and
cried, "Back into liueW The negroes, not
understanding what was meant, obeyed !;
and then in the confusion and amid great
roars of laughter and yells, these same
well disposed gentlemen declared the col
ored man elected. Threats of q serious
character against Scott passed in the
crowd.
A nong the "our excellent citizens, of
whom we should be proud" who figured
conspicuously in this last riotous proceed
ing, were an ex-District Judge, a minister
of religion, in our city, and one principal
county officer. withhold the names Of
the men engaged in this illegal conduct,
hoping they will never again repeat it, and
that they will be, hereafter strict obser-
yers of the law and not violators Of it. In
the face Of the facts in this matter the
Dallas Herald, while claiming to be
faithful chronicler Of events, publishes 10
the world thar the proceeding above de-
tailed was n tsir election-the untram-
meled choice Of the colored people, and
that they we're terribly in earnest in elect.
ing Jack Eakins. The Herald we'll knew
the unhanded trickery in this matter and
that an election was virtually prevented
by fraud practieed upon the c6lored men.
for one OF the parties engaged in the fraud
told the Herald all about IL; wbereupon
the Herald penBed the above paragraph,
concealing the true facts. The parties 10
this fraud, suppose, think they have ac-
com plished something very smart and
praiseworthy. Il may be 50 among fossili-
zed democrats, but in tbe eyes Of ell fair
minded men, they are exceedingly belit-
tied. and proper subjects Of universal con-
miseration. Is such conduct creditable 20
the character Of the leading citizens Of the
growing city Of Dallas | think not.
will close this article BY asking few
questions;
VII some men never recognize hat the
negroes are fres7 win tbey never ce.ss
ueddling With The coiored mans business,
as sffsnd 20 thsir ovn7 viii cone men
-.-.r sass trying 10 control and doniueer
go The fr-ednen7 VIII fbsy never learn
- . colorsf Dsn Is entitled - jusi and
80 treatment. sud that it y wrong 70
- -, rrufdence fud fbtn uss ID - in
- - dsfruud hin7 This nay -
J.,-,-ra.is ksses1y nnd norslity, but Re
~ ii-s-s ocr1ry = higher pusiri0n-
J-sTIcE
-s.-zs--.--- $500.