New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-27

shall be permitted in times OF great political
excitement to stir up these evil feelings, and
engender riots and disturbances, to be re-
GREETED afterward by all who participate in
them. 7 say that the Democrats and
the white people Of the State will
| a premium to these vicious men to carry
elections by violence. The only way, in
my opinion, to save this State and city
| from a repetition of the disorders of 1868 is
| to tell these men, in plain and.unmistakable
language, eff you want all election, hold
one; if you want mob have mob but
| just as certain as you resort to violence
your votes will not be counted. If you
| have a far and free election your votes
will be counted" The only manner, 1 say,
III which We can avert these turbulent
| scenes isro tell in this bill the unprincipled
| leaders ON either side what will be the
| inevitable result of such action on their
part. We must tell them in unmistakable
terms that they can not with impu-
| nifty drive from the polls one half of
the legal voters in this or any other
| parish and can not send members
OF the mob to the Legislature to vote
and act in their interest. We have in Lou
| isiana different state of affairs, different
condition of society from other States North.
1t is useless and absurd to talk of legis-
latlng for Louisiana as we would for any
other State in which the population is COM
posed almost entirely of people OF the same
color, and where there are no seeds OF strife
to be cultivated and stirred up into an un-
governable flame by bad, designing men,
The time may come when all this will
change, but that time has not yet arrived,
and we must be guided by the present con-
dltlon OF affairs. | appeal to Democrats,
as honest and fair men. whether my propO
sltion is not just and equitable one. | say
/ "a, hill,
amendment as propose is Incorporated in
it. | ask Republican Senators to pause and
reflect well before acting upon this measure;
for If it is adopted in its present shape this
State has seen its last fairly elected State
government.
Mr.. smith, would like to ask the gen
tleman if he is willing to throw around the
people such safeguards as will prevent the
recurrence of the disgracciul scenes of 1870.
when men who never received One-tenth of
the votes of the people whom they pretend
ed to represent were returned as elected to
the General Assembly!
Mr.. Campbell-I am willing to place in
this bill such safeguards as will protect the
people Ill every conceivable way.
Mr.. Bowman-I wish to state in behalf of
my constituents that they are not amenabie
to the charges made by the Senator from
Orleans (Ar. CampbelD.
Mr. Hunsaker-I represent Republican |
senatorial district, and while | feel disposed |
to vote tor any measure of this character |
which will satisfy the entire people Of the |
State, yet feel that there is "a solemn duty |
devolving upon me as the representative of |
my constituents, the performance of which |
l can not evade. The very first demand |
my constituents make upon me is that if an
election law is passed l should support such |
provisions as will protect the weaker class
IN this State in the exercise OF their political |
rights
Mr.. Sypher-1 rise to a point of order l
like to hear the gentleman talk well
enough, but l desire to know what is before
the Senate.
The President-The motion is to adopt
the second section of the bill.
Mr.. Hunsaker-lft the system of annoving
me by frequent interruptions is to be prac-
ticed now, as it was the other day. l will
not attempt to speak. 1t has been the Gus
tom OF certain gentlemen to interrupt me !
every time | rise to make few remarks
If this practice is to be continued | shall
adopt it myself, although | have hitherto
acted with the greatest courtesy toward
gentlemen who have desired to speak |
simply want to place myself right Oh the
record. desire to explain why | shall not
vote for this bill on its final passage. | am
willing TO vote for a bill which will protect
he voters III the exercise OF their legiti-
nate rights at the polls | am willing to
1ote for a measure providing for such safe
guards as will make it impossible for any
raud to be perpetrated, either by one party
,r the other. While | stand committed! to
vote for such bill. Yet l want the principle
that the weaker portion of our
,itizens must and will receive ample pro-
ection at the polls. | believe the
stronger portion OF this community will |
lrive the weaker to the wall if this bill is
passed in its present shape. l care nothing
or the clamorous demands of the politicians
# New Orleans: | shall faithfully DISCHARGE
he trust which devolves upon NE as a
representative of Republican constituency
o legislate in their interests. | desire a re-
urning board to be provided for. but do
lot ask that it shall be composed of the
members of that party to when have the
onor to belong, nor do desire that it shall
e made up OF my personal friends. l want
to be composed entirely OF gentlemen
those integrity can not be questioned. |
o not intend, by my vote. to leave the
eOple to whose votes owe my election to
he mercy of the mob, and | believe this
I'LL be the result of the passage OF this :
leasure in its present shape. .
The Senate went into executive session.
nd atterWard adiOurhed ,