New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-27


to provoke opposition, but there was
sentiment of distrust in the popular mind;
now confidence had given way to distrust.
The arm Of industry had been paralyzed,
and society was shaken to its very fOunda-
ton. Amidst scenes like these, the people
would be inspired anew to see the Senate of
the United States rising up above party
preiudices. Here was an opportunity pre-
sented of meeting the views of those in
clined to the right. The examination and
cross examination of witnesses before the
committee had laid the facts before the
Senate. TO give some idea OF the search
ing character of that investigation he
would mention that the chairman asked
Hon. Samuel Armstead if he could
read and write, and that question in view
of the fact that Mr.. Armstead had received
considerable aumber of votes cast for
Secretary OF the State of Louisiana. That
was q nice question to ask an eminent
divine and Christian politician. Laughter
on floor and in galleries.. Had federal
court exclusive power over all questions
belonging to the State by the law OF May %,
1870 The right to institute suit in federal
circuit or district court had been given, pro-
viding the question was ono OF denial OF
the right TO vote on account of race, c)lor
or previous condition of servitude
The denial Of suffrage to the black man
would defeat an election, but denial of
the same right to a white man would lead
to no such consequences. [SensatiOn.1 The
campaign of 1870 in Louisiana opened aus
piciOusly for those making efforts to over
throw the Republican party in Louisiana.
They were encouraged to stand up to save
their homes, their altars and their firesides
from the carpet-bag Eeggars who were driv-
ing commerce and prosperity from their
doors.
The Republican party was infamed by
dissensions. They had two conventions
and two tickets, and defeat was inevitable.
The United States marshal for the State
chartered a steamboat, and after taking on
board several barrels Of whisky, hams and
choice edibles, gallantly sailed up the Mis-
sissippi river on his electioneering tour.
Then followed the grand receptions of
that gushing character only found among
high pressure politicians in very doubtful
! districts. Renewed laughter A boat load
of orators had never appeared on those
waters before; but that did not sue
ceed The craft soon began to wear
a piratical appearance; The orators be-
gan to look like buccaneers. Great
| laughter. And after retrospect of the
| canvass as far as it had gone they de-
| cided to turn back. Why this sudden change
in the tactics? 1t was to obtain these false and
! fraudulent affdavits to overcome the legal
election, and it was after the return of that
StrdlAcI GAdV tACJ SdhiCu IOI III Will DIduh
| affidavits and money to obtain by bribery
and forgery the statements required, and
| FROM the day that Marshal Packard's mag
nifcent propeller returned to New Orleans
| those orators who made the fOrecastle
| sound with their eloquence wandered Off in
pairs to obtain those fraudulent af4idavits.
If man heard pistol shot it was argued
| that the negroes were to be defrauded.
He quoted from the testimony before the
committee at length, and argued that there
was no settled plan to hinder and Obstruct
registration. Il the other hand, the OBJ
| ject was to ma it as general as possible.
| The election Louisiana was probably Il
most orderly, fair and quiet election held
there for twenty years. The registration
was larger than for years, but in many par
| ishes there was a great increase on the
crease of the Republican strength. The
Radical ticket failed to receive the united
support of those formerly acting with the
party, and something must be done to beat
the Democrats.
Again. reading from the testimony. he
argued that it was attempted to show that
| the negroes had to go SO far to vote. He
would give an illustration. A portion of
the Red river. where there was great
bend some 100 miles around, came back
| within four miles of the point where the
bend commenced. The neck of land there
| being only four miles across, the negroes, to
| vote, must go all the way round by water
and therefore lost five days in going to or
returning from the poll, it being located at
| the upper side of this neck of land. Were
| white men subjected to the same inconven
ience! Certainly not; they took the direct
| line across the neck of land, went to the
polls, voted and were home again before
dinner. [Great laughter ON the floor aud
in the galleries.
He next spoke of the judicial proceedings,
| and asked II State atJer State was to be
stricken down by these illegal judicial de-
cisions until darkness and despotism spread
over the land. There was no telling how
much Of the peoples money in Louisiana
had been expended in depriving them of
their rights.
Mr.. McCreery quoted from the testimony,
as to Carter holding Jacques to his bosom,
when he came with the forged atlidavts,
and exclaiming, Jacques, you are hell of
a fellowr' [Laughter.]
The chair (Carpenter) stated that any
manifestation on the part of persons in the
galleries, either of approval or disapproval,
was violation of the rule of the Senate,
and upon its repetition he would order the
galleries to be cleared.
Mr.. McCreery resumed and said: Tie con,
stitutiOn of the United States guarantees to
every State in the Union republican form
OF government, anu tne people OF une state
should not be disturbed in their republican
institutions; whether the enemy came from
abroad, or whether he rose from the border
of the State, he must be met and put down
by the federal government.
In conclusion, he denied that the State of
Louisiana had republican form Of gov
ernment, and argued that steps should be
taken to protect her against fraud and
usurpatiOn.
At the conclusion of SIR. McCreery's
speech Mr.. Sherman moved that further
consideration of the motion to recOmmit be
laid over until Wednesday, and that the
Senate resume the consideration of resolu-
tiOn reported from the Finance Committee.
So ordered.
At three o'clock the Senate went into
executive session, on motion of Mr.. Sher-
reOpened and the Senate adjourned