New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-11

IN writing Of North Louisiana ! Gwel!
tnore n detail upon the scenes and transac'
.ions iD the parish OF Claiborne because I
ain the more infinitely acquainted there
with, and because moreover this locality is
u fair type OF the entire scope OF country
ander discussions very tair type, because
perhaps the better portion thereof, at least
N society and healthfulness, ii not in rich
sess of soil. But propose, in some future
chapters, to dwell upon some scenes and
relate some deeds and transactions OF other
localities that are horrible to contemplate.
But, for the present, ] shall continue to
.efer more especially 10 Claiborne and im
mediate vicinity.
Those who may think there is no romance
IN the politics OF the baekwoods doubtless
never witnessed q party campaign in such
locality.
Claiborne parish. is not as much a back
woods country as many other portions Of
North Louisiana, nor as many portions OF
!ower Louisiana; bur il may be termed a
back woods country nevertheless. and pos
sesses a rustic romance of society IN many
respects and in many phases tina. is re-
!reshing, NOT to say classic, so TO speak-;i
classic can be justly applied 20 that
which is not much learned nor particularly
refined. Perhaps q rustic romance OF pie.
heian simplicity and candot of manners and
style in society and social Intercourse would
better express the idea. with the word
classic omitted.
Se,,sl ,a+ yoo al
OF romance in the first political campaign in
Claiborne parish after the close of the war,
(which possessed kind of intangible sweet
ness which should not be totally lost upon
che desert air; but the task of locali,ing and
utilizing j: will perhaps be found most diff
cult if not impossible. /. was no: like
water spilled upon the ground wh:ci: may
not be gathered up again, it was 10: tina;
chin or of that precise nature, ou: rather
was il something like the glow OF lovely
color or the melody OF sweet scurd which
passes away from the sight and from the
senss of hearing. and is realized in the :u-
cure more in the spir. OF thought ard the
iNtangibility 81 memory than in anything
that might BE termed corporeal identity. or
which might be iikened unto living pres
sepce. whether tangible or !rtans: Ole
whether animate or inanimate.
The first political campaign IN Claiborne
which succeeded the war was. OF course
different somewhat in temper and issue from
any wbich haa ever preceded il; because
slavery, which no TO that time bad con
stisuted the main slogan of Southern pol
.tics, had been abolished, though the negro
mad not yet been enfranchised. This, how
ever. was in yiew--was known TO he in con.
temptation by the conquering power-and
OF course was much dreaded by the element
which had inaugurated and tough. the war
10 the interest of slavery-had slain the
white man 10 perpetuate the condition OF
the negro as a chattel. And this. 200. u the !
name of liberty
President Johnsor's policy wac already |
known; his almost sweeping amnesty was al |
ready announced. and the rebel element. de. |
.eated in arms, hoped to gain by the ballot |
something OF what had been lost IN the field |
This element. being born TO rule" as i. |
had fondly Taught itself. leaped forth now |
10 resume power and prestige with as much |
eagerness and with almost as reckless and |
graceless splurges as the wounded aart
bounds for the water brook.
And thus dia the first political campaign
af,er the close of the war open Up j, the
parish OF Claiborne in 1860.
Judge w. B. Egan, Lieutenant Governor
Il. w. Pierce and Colonel A. A. Abney were
the candidates for tie State Senate-two
% te elected-:he contest including the par
shes of Claiborne, Bossier and BlenVllie.
Exam was of Claiborne, Pearce OF Blenyllle
md Abney of Bossier. Thomas II. Jones,
# Bienyille, also occasionally put II an ap-
,earance as a free lancer on genera prin-
iples.
Claiborne then elected three members to
re lower house. The candidates were
William =. MorelanG, William c. Martin,
harmon A. Drew, Wilbur F. Biacknan
william II. Maxey and w. Jasper BLACK
urn.
Mcre,arG, Drew and Blacknan were