New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-25

locality not to attempt to attend, or he
would be assassinated either on the way or
on the spot. So, discretion being thought
the better part of yalor, he did not venture
out. About that time, however, court being
in session at Farmerville, General John
Young, worthy citizen and able lawyer
of Homer, rode over to lsrmeryille to
attend to his professional duties. and
just before arriving there ne met a
rather brigandish and outlandish looking
biped Of the genus homo, who eyed him
most sneakingly and suspiciously. A few
days afterward, this same dirty dog, meet
ing General Young at court, and finding ont
who he was, said to him: "Look here! did
you know came near shooting you the
other dayr Certainly not" replied the
General; "why should you want to shoot
mel" why, I thought you was that damned
Radical. Blackburn, coming over here 70
make speech" Now look here" said
General Young, Il want you 70 remember
that wear whiskefs, while Blackburn goes
smooth shaved And this was tie temper
and style Of the opposition in The campaign
in North Louisiana, in that noted and try
ing struggle; and thus was Claiborne
parish, which but few months before
had gone Republican by 1850 majority,
carried ut this election in April. in
1868. for the ratification or rejection of the
new constitution, by the Democracy by
several hundred majority. It was done, rs
it has ever since been done. by an undue
and unfair influence upon the unprotected
colOred population. and to some degree by
open and defiant cheating and fraud; for
Claiborne parish is to-day. and has been
ever since the enfranchisement of the col
Ored man and the removal of all the dis.
abilities of the white man. Republican by
at least $50 to 300 votes. under . fair and
strictly legal election.
But it was soon known. or at least De-
lieved, that Meadows and Story would get
their seats in the Legislature, over the
cheating and fraud which had been Urac.
ticed upon them, for the coast and river
parishes had managed TO return large Re-
publican majority to the General Assembly,
despite the cheats and threats of the oppo-
sition in the hill parishes, where there was
no protection for loyal voters. This was
terrible on the "chivalry," so far as Meadows
was concerned; for he was a negro, and
could not any longer be allowed to Iegislate
for white men. This was what they said
and this was their attitude. : had feared
for Meadows, because knew the temper of
the people, and had even warned him
against returning to Claiborne from his
labors in the Constitutional Convention,
where he had given some ultra Radical
votes. l told him that feared he would
be killed. But he was somewhat hard
headed and self-willed, and returned and
ran for the Legislature, and was defeated
through the unfair and illegal means al
luded to; and then, when it was
known or understood that he would
get his seat anyway, he was most
foully murdered = assassinated like a
dog, at his own home, in the very
bosom of his family, in the enlightened and
Christianized community of Claiborne par
ish; and not unto this day has any one been
of course, knows who did it-only nice
and weil-shapen boot track or two were left
to show that the assassin or assassins were
'gentlemen"-and but few cared to make
any further inquiries; for was not the slain
a negro, and once slave, and freed against
the will OF those among whom he lived, and
almost against his own will, and left entirely
in the midst of those who cared
for him only as chattel, to live at their
mercy or die at their pleasure-just as the
mass of the colored population of the South
are at this moment. Precisely SO; nor
therein do think is the wisdom of a great
government very apparent, nor its mercy
much manifest. And yet Congress and the
Northern people would halt and hesitate, and
seem to think they have already done too
much for us; which seems to me little
,ragical, taken in connection with what /
know of the romance of politics in the
oackwooGs.
But Meadows was slain like dog, in the
most sneaking and wolfish manner, and his
blood is unavenged unto this day, and l
uppOse will ever remain unavenged. He
vas shot in the head with two or three
,istol balls. 1t occurred gust at nightfall~.
bout sundown-at his own pleasant and
Luiet home in the country, within his own
measures, in the immediate presence of his
'oor wife and children. From his yard to
lis horse lot waa but little distance, but
he pathway led through some brush and
1t is rural spot
"O'erhuns with hawthorn. thickensns green"
nd along this cool. sequestered retreat poor
nsuspecting Bill Meadows was passing
uietly to feed his horse, before partaking
his own frugal supper: when suddenly.
bang! bang: bang.' went one, two. three
istol shots, and down tumbled upon the
old damp earth. never again to rise until |
be last day. dead black Radical And |
D there was one vote Tess and one voice |
,ss TO be in the way OF those who feed upon
onor aud are the very soul of chivalry!
rod save the mark. amt God cave the |
Ountrys
Well, this is one world. but there arc
bought 20 be other worlds within the far |
xpanse OF Gods uncreated space. and |
ther lives TO live. and other frui.
ions to realize. besides what we here feel !
nd see and know. And if SO. i. is well; |
,r 1t Is said ''God is just and we all do !
now that Justice by no means always rules
nd reigns in this world
l find that TO give an account here OF the |
Massacre of colored men in Bossier parish. |
l 1868. as promised at the close Of my |
ast. would make this chapter too long, and
shall therefore nave TO defer it to my
ext, when think l shall devote one entire |
HAPPIER to that bloody theme: for | desire. |