Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-01-01
The Louisiana Imbroglio.

We publish below letter from Rev.
George Putnam, formerly Of Albany, w.,
who has been spending the past year with
his sons, now in business in Louisiana II
is copy of letter forwarded to Judge
Poland, and will be read with interest, not
to say with profit, by Mr.. Putnam's many
friends in Vermont and by all who seek
for the truth in relation to the late Louis.
lana election.
NEw OmrANs, Dec. Is, 1872.
Hon. Luke p. Poland
DEAR SIR 1t is about gear since ! came
from Vermont to this place. And having had
something of an opportunity Of learning the
state Of affairs here ! have thought it might
be proper at this particular crisis to write you
a few lines You well understand the position
which ! have heretofore occupied with regard
to the great question which has been at issue
in the nation. have not changed my views,
and up to the present time my sympathes have
been strongly in favor Of General Grant and
his administration but do not exactly com
prehend the position which he now assumes
with regard 70 the government Of this State.
Although | have found the state Of society
here much better AS to morals than hereto
fore bad supposed, yet politically they are in a
state Of perfect chaos. And this is owing to
the great change which has been Transporting
II is the legitimate consequence Of such great.
revolution, rather than Of any inherent lawlc.s-
ness in the people
So far as have been enabled to judge, the
mass Of the people are disposed to be quiet,
and 10 mind their own business as much so
as most Of people, even in New England. They
desire peace above all things, and would gladly
submit to almost any substantial government
that could give them permanent protection.
/ But unfortunately for them, those who have
assumed to lead in the political world have
| been for the most part INSCRIPTIONS men
men who have no other end in view but their
own personal advantage, to secure which they
scruple not to resort to measures which are
most unjust and dishonorble. They are Of
that class Of men whom John Randolph stig-
matted as men of "seyen principles, FIVE
loayes and two fishes" And this seems equally
true as to each and every party, and that with
out distinction as to race or color.
Obviously, the late political campaign from
beginning to end, has only been a consummate
humbug Men have readily shifted from one
party to the other, or have instituted new par
ties, with new candidates, (osiensibly all for
REFORM for no other purpose than to bring
about a change favorable to their own personal
ends.
And thus from week to week has the com
munity been kept in continual commotion.
And all for no good purpose.
The sum total Of the whole movement is
mere scramble for Office game such as none
but the most unprincipled Of gamblers might
play And in this game the ballot box has
been subsidized, and made 50 subseryent to
mere party purposes that il could in nowise be
depended upon as authority in ascertaining the
result Of the election. Those who took it upon
themselves 10 canvass the votes seem to 80 haze
understood it, And so they made such addi-
tons and such subtracti1ns as in their judg-
ment would bring about result which might
at least be satisfactory to themselves So both
lAAAit7 0ANNttAuN III ihAhlhE Nul an tlttIous
and each with large meiorites, though it was
apparent that in an honest election there could
have been no great disparity in the strength Of
the parties, - that who,ooyer had succeeded
TO an election must have done 50 with but a
small majority. The election therefore as ex-
hibted by both or either party is at best a
fraud, and consequently mere nudity, and
should be 50 treated by all concerned. Tie
state is legitimately without government,
and it only remains for Congress to provide
one until such times as by an honest election
the people can provide for themselves And
such an arrangement, am persuaded, will give
better satisfaction tnan any other
That the President should give bis sanction
to an election procured under such circumstan-
ces, to me is truly surprising can not I'M
dorstand il. trust that the party to whom
he owes bis election will not sustain him in
his position. 1t might as well disband and
give up its mission as to do So And hope
Congress, without regard to party, will adopt
such measures as shall egaotually rescue the
people here from the rule Of a mere mcrccnary,
, unprincipled and Legitimate government.
GEORGE PuTNAN.