The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-12-08
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.

abandoned and the officers OF the State Got
crnmeot, with some minor exceptions r
sumed their powers and duties.
Considering that the present State admins
tration Of Louisiana has been the only go'
ornment in that State FOR nearly two year
that it has been taci.ly acknowledged and az
guessed III as such by Congress and moi
than once expressly recognized by me, | n
garded il as my clear duty, when legally Gale
upon for tina. purpose, to prevent It's Ovel
throw BY an armed mob, under pretence' Z
fraud and irreguarity IN the election Of ISL:
! have heretofore called the attentionnt
Congress to this subject, stating that on a,
count Of the frauds and torgeries committe
at taet election, and because it appears tina
the returns thereof We're never legally car
vassed, it vas impossible to tell thereby VIII
were chosen but, from the best sources OF in
formation at my command. | have always be
iieved The present State officers received a ma
jority Of the legal votes actually cast at ih.
election.
repeat what said in my special me ssag
of February 20, 1873, that, i'll the event OF III
action by Congress-, | must continue to recog
nize the government heretofore recognized b.,
one.
! regret 20 say that with preparations for the
late elections decided indications appeared i.
gone localities in the Southern States OF de
termination, by cts Of violonce and intiInida-
dion, to deprive citizens Of the freedom OF the
ballot because OF their political opinions.
Bands OF men, masked and armed, made
their appearance white leagues and Other
societies were formed; large quantities OF
arms and ammunition were imported and dis
trbuted TO these organizations military drills
with menaciug demonstrations We're held and
with all those, murders enough were commit
ted to spread terror among those whose poll
.ical action was to be suppressed, if possible,
by these intoerant aud criminal proceedings
In some places colored laborers were COM
PEELED to vote according to the wishes Of their
employers, under threats of discharge if they
acted otherwise, and there are too many in
stances IL which, when these threats were
disregarded, they were remorseless!y executed
b. those VINO made them understand that
the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution
was made 10 prevent this and Ike state OF
things, and the act of May 81, 1870, with
amendments, was passed 10 enforce its provi-
sions. The OBJECT OF both being to guarantee
TO all citizens the right to vote and to protect
them III the free en- oyneut Of that right.
EujoiEcd by the Constitution '.to take care
fiat the laws Sc faithfully executed" ard con-
WINGED by undoubted evidence that violations
OF sad act had been committed, and that Il
widespread and fragrant disregard OF it was
contemplated. the proper officers were in.
were Stationed at convenient points to aid
these officers if necessary, in the performance
of their official duties. Complaints are made
of this interference by Federal authority, but
If said amend nent and act do not provide for
such interference under the circumstances as
above stated, then they are without meaning,
force or effect, ard the whole scheme of COL
ored enfr .nchisement is worse than mockery
and little better than a crime
Possibly Ctn3ress may find it due to
truth and Justice to ascertain by means of
committee, whether the alleged wrongs to
co.ored citizens for political purposes are real
or the reports thereof were manufactured for !
the occasion.
The whole number Of troops in the States |
of Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, South Caro-
lima, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee,
Arkansas, Mississippi, Indiana and Virginia
at the time Of the election, were 1882. This
embraces the garrisons OF ali the forts from
the Delaware to the Cult of Mexico.
Another trouble has arisen in Arkansas
Article IL OF the constitution of that State
which was adopted in 1868, and upon the ap-
provnl Of which by Congress the State was re-
stored to representation as one of the States
Of the union), provides, III effect, that before
any amendments proposed to this constitution
shall become part thereof they shall be
passed by two successive Assemblies and then
submitted to and ratified by Il majority OF the
electors of the State voting thereon
On the 1lth May, 1874. the Governor con-
vencd an extra session OF the General Assem-
bly, of the State, which, on the 18th OF same
month pas Led al act providing for n conven-
-lon to frame new constitution. pursuant to
ibis act, and ut an election held on the Both
June, 1874, the convention was approved i
md delegates were chosen thereto who as
'embled on the 18th of last July and formed a {
new cons tuition, the schedule Of which pro- {
'ided for the election of an entire new set {
u State officers, 10 4 manner contrary l
o the then existing election laws OF
he State. On the 18th October, 1874 c
he Constitution, as therein provided, was J.
submitted to the people for their approval or a
e)cction, and according to the election re- c
rrns was .approTed by large majority OF a
hose qualified to vote thereon, and at the d
anne election persons were chosen to fill ali c
he State, county and township Offices The c
Governor elected in 1872 Tor the term of four O
ears turned over his Office to the Governor r.
hosen under the new Constitution. Where s.
pom the Lieutenant Governor, also elected in t,
S72 for term Of four years, claiming to act t.
S Governor and alleging that said proceed
lgs by which the new Constitution was d
lade and new set of officers elected were S,
illegal and void, and called IL
u
&c Constitution to protect the State against C.
omestc violence. M
As Congress is now investigating the polti- M
y affairs OF Arkansas, | have declined to it
ltertcre. The whole subject of Executive pt
with the affairs of State is is
pugnant to public opinion, TO the feelings al
those who from their official Capacity must
> used in such interposition and to humor ps
lose who must direct. e. Unless most clearly al
the side OF Law, such interference becomes !. re
ime. With the law to support it, it is con- of
,med without hearing. / desire. there Ri
re, that all necessity for Executive direction c.,
LEGAL affairs may become unnecessary and pr
,solete. nr
| invite the attention. not of Congress- but re
the people OF the United States. to the is
uses and effects OF these unhappy questions. of
there not a disposition on one side to mag ar
~ wrong and outrages, and the other side to tn
'ilttle them or justify them? If public H
,lnion could be directed to a correct survey q,
what 1t IS, and to rebuking wrong and
fi1.t L