The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-02-03

subject, but now when the time comes for
its use (producing volume of testimony
the chairman tells us it is useless. be
(McCreery) could find nothing in history,
without going back some z, 900 years, to equal
the humility of the gentleman, content that
the volume of testimony should be upon the
memory of senators here, as it showed the
true condition of affairs in Louisiana. He
argued that it was too late now to talk
about prime facie case after proof had been
heard The evidence had been taken and
would satisfy the minds of senators Of the
existence or non existence of legal state
government in Louisiana. He thought that
there never was a case analogous TO the
present one on the American continent, or
anywhere under the sun. If kellogg had
received majority of votes, he was governor
of Louisiana, but If he had received minor
ity had been seated in his Office by federal
Judge backed by the army of the United
States, then he was an intruder and had no
right to be there. The senator from Indiana
(Morton) had paid glowing tribute to the
kellogg government, but he (McCreeryl
never having had his attention called
to the excellency oftheinstitntion was taken
by surprise. He thought it an instance o.
defence in advance of an attack. Those en-
amored with the Kellogg administration
lived farthest away from its influence.
Laughter on the floor and in the galleries
Again, Senator Morton had spoken of the
decision of the court being final. None
knew better than the senator himself that it
was essential that the court should have
jurisdiction. He reviewed the testimony
taken last winter at some length, and the
work of seating Kennard on the supreme
bench of the state so hurriedly, which, he
said, reminded him of an old Indian run
ming the gaunt ct, with lick and kick at
every step. He argued that the supreme
court of Louisiana had expressed
itself favorable to the Kellogg
government before it was called upon 10
decide, as it was true that James +. Casey,
collector of the port informed the president
that the supreme court was known TO be in
sympathy with the republican state govern
ment. He would not have attempted to
mislead the president, and this fact showed
that the Kellogg government was organized
in concert before it was government. The
senator from Indiana attempted to support
his case by arguing that he (McCreery)
would attempt to overthrow it by force. If
he fell in this cause, it would be for the sa
cred rights of the downtrodden and oppress-
ed people who would remember with graft
tude the feeble efforts of himself in their be-
half. He contended that the fifteenth
amendment to the constitution had been vi
olated in the Louisiana election. The exam
ination and cross examination of witnesses
before the committee has laid facts before
the senate to give some idea of the character
of that investigation. He would mention
that the chairman asked the Hon. Samuel
Armstead if he could read and write, and
that question was in view of the fact that
Armstead had received a considerable num-
Der of votes cast for the secretary of state of
Louisiana. That was nice question to ask
an eminent divine and christian
politician, aughter on floor and
in galleries. had a federal court exclusive
power over all questions belonging to the
senate. By the law of May %, 1870, the
right to institute suit in the federal, circuit
or district court had been given, providing
the question was one of denial of right to
vote on account Of race. color or previous
condition of servitude. The denial of suf-
frage to the black man would defeat an cleo
ton, but denial of the same right to
white man would lead To no such conse-
quences. [Sensation.] The campaign of
1870 in Louisiana, opened auspiciously for
those making efforts to overthrow the re-
publican party in Louisiana. They were en-
couraged to stand up to save their homes,
their affairs and their fresides, from
CARPET-BAGGERs,
Who were driving prosperity and com
merce from their doors. The republican
party was infiamed by dissension. They
had two conventions and two tickets, and
defeat was inevitable. The United States
marshal for the state chartered steamboat.
and after taking aboard several barrels of
whisky, hams and choice edibles, steamed
calamity up the Mississippi on his election
eering tour. Then followed 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 these
waters before, but that did not succeed. The
craft soon began to wear disheveied APP
pearance. The orators began 10 look like
t,,o Ion md off q
spect of the canvass as far as it had
gone, they decided to turn back. Why
this sudden change in tactics? 1t was to
obtain these false and fraudulent affidavits
to overcome the legal election, and it was
after the return of the steamer that they
sailed forth with blank affidavits and
money to obtain by bribery and forgery the
statements required. From the day that
Marshal Packard's magnificent propeller re-
turned to New Orleans, those orators who
had made the forecsstle sound with their elo-
quence wandered off in pairs to obtain these
fraudulent affidavits. If man heard a
pistol shot, it was argued that the niggers
were to be defrauded. He quoted from the
testimony before the committee at length,
and contended that there was no settled plan
to burden and obstruct registrations: on the
other hand, the object was TO make it as gen.
eral as possible. The election in Louisiana
was probably the most orderly, fair and
quiet election held there for twenty years.
Again. reading from the testimony, he ar
gued that it was attempted to show that ne
groes had to go so far to vote. He would give
an illustration. A portion of the Red
river where the great bend, some forty miles
around, came back within four miles of the
point where the bend commenced, the neck
of land being only tour miles across, the
negroes to vote must go all the way around
by water, and therefore lose five days in GO
ing to and returning from the polls, it being
located at the upper side of this neck of land.
Were the white men subjected to the same
Inconvenience? Certainly not. They took
the direct line across the neck of land, went
to the polls, voted and were back again be-
fore dinner. (Great laughter on the floor
and in the gslleries). McCreery quoted from
the testimony as to Carter folding Jacques
to his bosom when he came with the forged
affidavits, and exclaimining, Jacques, you
are hell of fellow" Laughter).
Mr. McCreary resumed and said that the
constitution of the United States guarantees
to every state in the union a republican
form of government, and the people should