The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1872-09-12
The Election Frauds IN North Carorin,

AhS AS'CAo'AOA4S AZ lSSaAO W hiiC ldlS
election in North Carolina show that
the most gross frauds were committed.
1t is probable that enough will be
proven TO seat Merrimon, bu: the mass
of fraud can never be fully exposed.
The negroes have been taught that all
the elective contents in the South are
nothing more than war between races
for the political mastery, and that in
such struggles any kind of fraud IS
fair. Consequently, in many Of the
counties, where the negro element
strongly preponderated, there was not
such a reserve imposed even as would
place the thinnest gauze over the de-
liberate frauds perpetrated. One Of
the most remarkable features Of the
election is, that in many counties the
vote cast was really much greater than
the entire Toting population, as by the
census returns of 1870. In the county
of Halifax the vote polled was 1901,
while the census returns gave the
county only voting strength of 4455.
In the third congressional district, in
which there are eleven counties, the
election returns give an aggregate Of
COG votes more than the entire voting
strength of the district, according to
the census. In the county of Bladen,
where the negro population had de-
creased since the last election, and
where extraordinary efforts were made
by the Conservatives, and where the
Radicals were despOndent, the Radical
majority was more than doubled, and
evidence can be produced that at one
OF the precincts fifty nonresident
negroes voted. This county had 2610
voters, but gave 1866 votes. In
Brunswick the vote stood 1870, when
the census gave only 100 voters. In
many precincts it is easy to count up
many more votes, personally known TO
be given for the Conservative candi-
dates, than were returned. In one of
the Wilmington wards negro polls
holder, upon receiving split tickets
from colored voters, would tear them
up and put other tickets in their hands.
The terrified negroes would Of course
de posit them without remonstrance.
Intimidation was one of the orders
for carrying the election, and in the
investigation of the frauds it will still
be used. Numerous frauds could be
proven through negroes who dare not
give evidence in regard to them. 1t
is positively dangerous for a negro in
some localities to be known as "a
Greeley negro" Of course the inves-
tigation of these frauds have but just
commenced; they will be fully sifted il
the proper time.
The last Radical nominating con-
vention of South Carolina, held al
Columbia, was, according to the repor
of the New York Herald, very dis
graceful affair. The meeting was
characterized by the most dlsgracefu
scenes and language. The president
of the convention, Elliott, (uegro, a
one time drew his pistol in a personal
quarrel with white delegate during
balloting. Moses was declared the
choice of the convention for Governor.
Judge Orr, District Attorney Corbin
Collector Clark and other leading poll
iticians polted the convention. Tht
Herald presumes that it is more thai
probable that South Carolina will g
for Greeley this fall
-%sSsS
The Grant reelection party contin
uaIly boast that the money of tn,
country is all in favor of Grant. This
Is not so, but it displays one of th,
means to be used. Money, force anC
fraud are all to be used to carry tn
election for Grant. If Greeley i
elected it will be an honest expression
of the people.
A special telegram from Washingto
to the New Orleans Picayune, date,
August 20, says: "The Grant Republi
cans here are exultant over Charlie
O'Connor's letter declaring in favor {
tie Louisville Convention. They sa
it means New York for Grant"
A friend writes us from Bagdad
Williamson county, of the Democrat
meeting held there on the I'd inst
and says: IL have only time to dro
you hasLy note to say that we ha
the pleasure to day of addressing