New-York tribune., 1873-05-27
LOUISIANA AFFAIRS.

ACTION OF THE coIoRED SUPPORTERS OF KELLOGG.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THB rRBUSE.l
NEw-ORLEANs, May 26-The colOred sup
porters Of the Kellogg state Government held large
meeting at the Mechanics Institute in this city, this
evening for the purpose Of arranging for the better
presentation OF their the people Of the whole
country. Mr.. KelOgg's ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Antoine,
presided and Mr. Kellogg himself with several Of his
prominent State Ofi.ials. upon the platform.
Speeches made by leading colOred orators
Of the State, all OF whom advocated immediate
action The resolutions adopted after asserting that
Mr. Kellogg legally elected and that his supporters
were shamelessy abused deprived of their rights
last FALL declare that through the efforts Of the Com
mittee OF Seventy Citizens who went North last Winter
the Misrepresentation Of public journals and the fail
ure to present their properly at Washington the
prejudice of the people Of the North has been aroused
against the Republican party OF this State,
and especially against the cOOred members Of II urge
the necessity Of at taking action in the premises
and provide for the appointment Of nine coored
citizens OF Louisiana, whose duty il shall be TO at
send to the North their ablest cOored orators
aud organize in every parish of the State Committee
tie collection OF evidence and the selection OF wit
nesse and generally to do everything that
msapprehenson in the North Of the state Of
affairs in Louisiana, and TO present Mr. Keogg's
in the srongestght before Congress Immediately upon
it's meeting next December. The meeting was orderly,
the audience attentive and the streets IN the vicinity Of
the Institute unusually quiet
TRIAL OF TIE ST. MARTINsv1LE PRIsONERs-CoM-
PLETE FAILURE OF THE PRosECUuoN-AFFIDA-
WITS MADE "ON GENERAL PRINCIPLES > THE
UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS OPINION OF THE
CAsE-THE PRISONERS DISCHARGED.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
NEw-ORLEANs, May 26.-Gen. De Blanc and
the niue other citizens of st. Martinsve who
tine In
State for conspiracy as defined in the Ku-Kux act
examined to-day, before United States Commissioner
shannon The affidavit which the excuse for the
arrest was made by L. L. Martinez member Of the Kel
logg Legislature from ST. Martin, and accused the prs
Of conspng to deprive the coored people of the
parish OF their legal rights Twelve witnesses, mostly
eoored citizens of st. Martnsyie. examined for
the prosecution. aud none OF them knew Of any
spiracy or even suspected The prisoners dis
missed counsel for the defense declining TO introduce
any testimony The whole drift Of the evidence was
that Gen. De Blanc and his friends had formed
iaion 70 resist the payment OF taxes the Kellogg
collectors and check the Metropolitan Police by force
il necessary which, though it may be unlawful since
the Presidents proclamation, not three weeks
ago. Several of the witnesses, both white and
colnred, said that De Blanc had always been a
good friend Of the colored people, and that neither
he nor his friends had ever attempted TO intmidate
them in any way. Mr. Martinez, whose affidavit the
made said that he did on the strength OF
information lac had received which led him TO fear that
the coored people might meet Grant Parish fate unless
some preventive measures used. As a member Of
the Legislature he thought his duty TO his constituents
required the action he took The information TO which
he referred the form Of letter signed by five
persons The following extract will show its character:
We are in a terrible and critical situation. The Fu-
sOmsts determined TO fight the Metropotans when
they arrive and yOu do ut know what will
II IL happens 10 Is reported tEat violent
depreda0ns will ensue but, in view OF everything, we
nave decided to remain neutral. We think these
FusOnists good men, but there are some whom we
the Grant Parish troubles We therefore upon you
10 make effort obtain United states troops 10 the
end that peace may be preserved and our property pro-
tected.
The men who signed this letter when called upon the
stand knew nothing against the prisoner, and the
who were mentioned in the affidavit as having been In
Inundated, and whose names II is understood were nled
in after the affidavit signed, equally ignorant
Of any wrong the part Of De Blanc and his MI
Martinez admitted that he had consulted with Mr. Ke
ogg and Mr. Billings before making the affidavit, but
refused TO say whether they advised it not He did
that the cOlored people were TO be hurt but
he not get the soldiers to down to st. Martins
unless be made the affidavit, and Gen. Grant had ad
United states Marshal Packard to the soldiers
when he wanted them, he swOre TO the information on
general principles. in dschargnR the prisoners Com
missioner shannon said
In this proof 70 justify the detention OF
the prisoners regret that there shoudbe those im-
Dued with fears which impel them 10 suggest 10 others
me making OF afh1avts without justification. Those
who engage In this kind Of work wond look better to be
attendng TO their business. To be sure, the de-
enaahts nave been unjusty put 10 the expense OF time
ano money but this sacrifice they must be content
TO endure for the good Of the body polite.
Gov KeIoggs attorney, this morning. In the list
District Court fled information against NJ. NJ Cohen
anu -, " rnSy Jointly charged Win sttemptlng 70
muI1el w r. kellogg. The defendants were balled In
INDIAN PROSPECTS