The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1874-12-16


cial message Of February %, 1873, that
in the event of no action by Congress,
must continue to recognize. the govern
ment heretofore recognized, by me. /
regret,to say that, with preparations for
the late elections, decided indications
appeared; iii some localities in the
Southern States of u DISCRIMINATION
by. acts Of s~, .,saa ..... ... nee. :,
's'H VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATION 49,,
to deprive citizens of the freedom of the
ballot because of their political opin--
ions; 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 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 sup
pressed, if possible, by, these ,intolerant
and criminal proc, edings. In some
places colOred laborers were compelled
to vote according to the wishes of their
employers, under threats of discharge
if they voted otherwise, and there are
too many instances in which, when
these threats were disregarded, they
were remorselessly executed by those
who made the.nn: understand that the,
fifteenth anef ament to the Constitu-
ton was 'maN to prevent this aud like
state of things, and the act of May 81,
1870, with amendments, was passed to
enforce its provisions, the object of
both being to guarantee to all citizens
the right to vote and to protect them in
the free enjoyment Of that right. En-
joined by the Constitution "to take care
that the laws be faithfully executed"
and convinced by undoubted evidence
that violations Of said act had been
committed and that widespread and
fragrant disregard Of it was contempla-
ted, the proper officers were instructed
to prosecute the offenders, aud troops
were stationed at convenient points to
aid these f.ofticers, If necessary, in the
performance Of their official duties.
Complaints are male Of this, interfer-
ence by Federal authority, but if said
amendment and act do not provide for
such interference under the circum-
stances, as above stated, then they are
without meaning, force or effect, and
the whole scheme Of coiored enfran-
chisenieht is worse thanitnoekery and
little better thar a icrime : Possibly
Congress may find it tlue to truth and
justice to ascertain by meansof a. COM
mittee whether the alleged wrongs to
colored citizens for political purposes
ARE real or tile reports thereof were
mapufactured for the occasion. The
whole number of troops in the States Of
louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Florida,
South Carolina, North Carolina, Ken
tucky, Tehlessee, Arkansas, Mfssissip-
pi, Maryland and Virginia, ut the time
of The election were 4OS2. This EN-.
braces the garrisons of all the forts
from the = Delaware to the, Gulf of
pMe2lco. t"H!hiaE'g Hg.t@1 81 VHui ~
'''rHf ARKANSAS TROUBLE,
Another trouble has arisen in Arkansas.
Article 13 of the Constitution of that State
t which was adopted in 1868, and upon the
approval of which by Congress tie State
was restored to. represen tation as one of
the States of the Union provides in effect
that before any. amendpepts proposed to
this cohstitutionshall becoife part there
OF, they shall be .passed by two successive
assem- lies and then submitted, to and rat
flied 'hy q majority Of the electors Of the.
State voting thereon. On. the 18th Of MAY,
1874, the Governor convened an extra scs.
sion of the General Assembly of the State,
which on the 18th Of the same month pass
|ehan acts providing fora convention toi
frame a new constitution, pursuant to this
act, and at an election held on the, 30th 81
June, 1874, the convention was approved
and delegates were chosen thereto, who,
assembled on the Atl Of last Jnly, and
formed a hew constitution, the schedule of
which provided for the election of an en-.
. tire.new' set Of State officers, in a. manner
eontkarKitp the then existing election laws
ut the State. pm tia 18th Of October, 1874.
The constitution, as thereiu ,proyieiel. was
submitted to the people Tor their approyal
'0r rejection, and according to the election
returns was apprUveH W q llarcce majority
OF those qualified to vote thereon; and Of
the same election persons were. chosen to
I'LL ALI the State, county and township Of
ices. The ,Gpernor elected in 1872 for
the term OF four years turned over his Of
nee TO the Governor chosen under the new
eonsthetDh, whersnpon THE Lieutfnant
Governor, elected; int 1872, for a term of
ftohr years, Claiming to act as Governor.
and alleging that said proceedings, by
which 9 new constitution was made, q new
setIOf officers elected'were uneonstitutional
ahegal and void, aud called upon me, AS
provided in section 4, article. a, of the Con-
Atltutjon, TO protect the Stats against do
nestle violence; as Congress- is now inves-
tlgatlng the political affairs ofArkansas, 1
have deelined to interfere. The whole
subject Of III sa'"'; E ,'tl@ Il Iiiptt1
y isGfg lli4!,f sut.. b. :, .,.,tt;;,;, ,s,a
gt1a EXECUTIVE 1N1'ERFEHEScEs
with the affairs Of State is rep1 quaint to
publiciopinion; to the feeling of the 80 who.
from their official capacity, must he used
in such interpqsition, and to humor those
WHO must, direct. Unless most clearly on
the side; Of law, such interference becomes
crime with the law to support IT, and h
condemned without hearing. Idesire.
therefore, that pill necessity for. Executive
direction in local affairs may become un-
necessary and, obsolete. l invite the at
tention, not Of Congress, bnt Of the people
OF the United States, to the causes and ef.
fects OF these unhappy questions. Is there
not disposition on one side to magnify;
wrong and Outrages, and the other side to
be!ittle them Or justify them. If public
opinion could he directed to a correct sur
ves nf what il is, aud to rrbukins wrong