The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-12-12
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| Oh me proper authorities of those countries.
respectfully direct your attention TO the
report OF The Postmaster General, and to his
suggestions in regard to an equitable adjust
ment OF the question Of compensation to rail
roads for carrying the mails.
Your attention will be drawn to the
UNSETTLED CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN SOME OF
THE SOUTHERN STATES.
On the l4th of September last the Governor
OF Louisiana called upon me, as provided by
the Constitution and laws of the United
States, to aid in suppressing domestic VIC.
lence in that State This call was made in
view of proclamation issued on thar dav nv
d. b. Penn, stating that he was elected Lieu
tenant Governor in 1872, and calling upon the
militia of the State to arm, assemble, and
drive from power the us2rpers, as he desig
mated the officers of the State gov eminent.
On the next day issued my proclamation,
commanding the insurgents to dispense with.
in five days from the date thereof and subse
quently learned that on that day they had
taken iOrcible possession of the State House.
Troops were taken by me to support the exis
ting and recognized State Government, but
before the expiration of the five days, the in
surrectionary movement was practically
abandoned, and the officers Of the State Gov
eminent, with some minor exceptions, resum-
ed their powers and duties. Considering
that the present State administration Of Louis.
lana had been the only government in that
State for nearly two years; that 1t has been
tacitly acknowledged and acquiesced is as
such by congress and more than once eX-
pressly recognized by me, regarded il as my
clear duty, when legally called upon for that
| purpose, 70 prevents overthrow by an armed
mob, under pretense of fraud and irregularity
in the election of 1872. | have therefore call
q attention fp
stating that on account OF the frauds AID for
geries committed at said election, and because
! 1t appears that the returns thereof were never
legally canvasscd, it was impossible to tell
thereby who were chosen, but from the best
sourc, of intormotlon at my command ]
have always believed the present State officers
ireceivcd a majority of the legal votes cast at
that election | repeat what | said in my
special message of Feb. Is, 1873, that ia tho
event of no action by congress, | must con,
linue to recognize the government heretofore
recognized by me. | regret to say that with
the preparations for the late election decided
indications appeared in some localities
the Southern States of determination by in
ACTS OF VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATION
! to deprive citizens of the freedom of the bal.
lot, because of their political opinions Bands
of men masked and armed made their ap-
IlcdTuHCe, Willie lcdS uCS anu OlICI Societies
were formed, large quantities of arms and am.
munition were imported and distributed to
these organizations, military drills with men
acing demonstrations were held, and with all
these murders enough were committed TO
spread terror among those whose political
action was to be suppressed, If possible, by
these intolerant and criminal proceedings.
In some places colorcd laborers were com.
PEELED to vote according to the wishes of their
employers, under threats of discharge ii they
acted otherwise; and there are too many in
stances in which when these threats were dis
regarded they were remorscly executed by
those by whom made. understand that the
Fifteenth amendment to the Constitution was
made to prevent this and like state of things,
and the act of May31, 1870, with amendments,
was passed to enforce its provisions, the OBJ
iect Of this being to guarantee to all citizens
the right to vote, and to protect them in the
free enjoyment of that right eploined by the
Constitution. To take care that the laws be
faithfully executed, and convinced by I'M
doubted evidence that violations OF said act
had been committed, and that widespread
and fragrant disregard of 1t was contemplated,
the proper officers were instructed to prose.
cute the offenders, and troops were stationed
at convenient points to aid the officers if
necessary in the performance Of their official
duties Complaints are made Of this inter
ference by Federal authority; but if said
amendments and act do not provide for such
interference under the circumstances as above
stated, then they are without meaning force or
effect, and the whole scheme of colored en-
franchisement is worse than mockery, and
little better than q crime. Possibly Congress
NAV find 1t due 10 truth and justice to ascer-
tam by means OF committee Whetner tne al
legged wrongs to colored citizens for political
Il he fhprpOt
manufactured for the OCCASION The whole
number of troops in the States of Louisiana,
Alabama. Georgia, Florida, South Carolina,
North Carolina, kentucky, Tennessee, Arkan-
sas, Mississippi, Maryland, and Virginia at
the time of the election were 1902. This EN-.
braces the garrisons OF nil the forts from
Delaware to the Gulf Of Mexico,
ARKANSAS AFFAIRS.
Another trouble has arisen in Arkansas.
Article 10 Of the Constitution OF the State,
which was adopted in 1868, and upon which
nv Congress, the State was restored to repres-
citation MS one of the States of the Union,
nroyidcs in effect that before any amendments
nroposed to this Constitution shall become
mart thereof, they shall be passed by TWO sue
ccssive Assemblies, and then submitted 10,
and ratified by, a majority Of the electors Oh
tbr State voting thereon. On the llth 81
Wo,, 1874 the Governor convened an extra
session of the General Assembly OF the state,
which. on the 18th Of the same month"; passed.
an act for Il convention to frame new con
suturion. Pursuant to this act, ana at an
election held Oh the 30th OF June, io'4, the
convention was approved anu me uelcsates
wore chosen thereto, who assembled on NE
iith Of last July and formed new constitu-
| tion. the schedule of which PROVIDED loI the
lection or an entire new set of State officers
IN a manner contrary to then existing election
iavs of the State. On the 18th OF October,
ISL his constitution, as therein provided,
wns submitted to the people for their ap.
nroval or rejection, anil, according to the
election returns was approved ny large
majority Of those qualified to vote thereon;
nn3 nt The same election persons were chosen
tn iii all the State, county, and township
Offices. The Governor elected in 1872 for II