River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-01-22


OF colored voters during the late cam.
Paign. An effort wasaccordingly made
by the Conservatives to acquire part
OF the negro vote. With that view il
was sought in many quarters to pro.
pitiate them. The frequent arrests by
United States marshals for intimida.
ton, or threats Of non-employment and
apprehension; it was felt that the re.
turning board would count out their
men If an excuse for such
course were offered all com.
bind, especially after September 18th,
to put the conservatives on their good
behavior, and the result was that in
November, 1874, the people Of Louisia.
ma did fairly have free, peaceable and
full registration and election, in which
a clear conservative majority was elect.
ed to the lower house of the legislature,
of which majority the conservatives
were deprived by the unjust, illegal,
and arbitrary act of the returning
| board. That there were turbulent
spirits cannot be denied. Those re.
turned to Office by the returning board
in violation Of the wishes of the people
are especially odious. In one in.
stance the editor of the Shreveport
Netos, in anticipation of the Illustration
by the returning board of the will Of the
people, openly declared that the only
remedy was to kill the usurpers, and
declared this to be the sentiments Of
the conservatives Of his section of the
/ SfQfn Rnt haunn1 n L
o: two, no declaration even of that SORT
was brought TO our own notice,
although it was admitted on all hands
that the whole people of the whole State
felt greatly outraged by the action
of the returning board. Indeed, 1t is
conceded by all parties that the KEEL
logg government is only upheld by the
federal military. Withdraw the mill.
tary and that government will go down.
This was true before the 4th of January
as we'll as now. Gov. Kellogg says this
is owing to doubt that Congress has
permitted about the legality of his gov
eminent. The Conservatives say this
is not only because his government is
Illegal, but because it has been offensive
and corrupt.
Of the White League Of New Orleans
the committee say it is an organization
composed Of different clubs, numbering
between $500 and $500, the members
of which have provided arms for them.
selves, and with or without arms, en-
gage in military drill. They have no
uniform, and their arms are the prop
erty of individuals and not of the
organization. They comprize large
number of reputable citizens and prop.
erty holders. Their purpose, they de-
clare, is simply protection-a necessity
occasioned by the existence of league
among the blacks, of a hostility which
the Kellogg government arrayed the
black against the white race; want of
security to peaceable citizens and fami
lies which existed for these reasons,
and because also of the peculiar forma-
ton of the police brigade.
On the other hand, the Republicans
assert that this is an armed BODY of
volunteers, existing for the purpose of
intimidating the blacks and overthrow.
ing the Kellogg government. That it
had any considerable relations outside
the city of New Orleans, or that it was
intended in any way to interfere with
the rights of colored citizens, did not
appear, nor, on the other hand, did it
appear that there was any extensive
leagues among the blacks Of any kind.
That the White League would readily
cooperate in any feasible scheme Tor
overthrowing the Kellogg government
your committee do not doubt; SO will
substantially all the white citizens
of Louisiana. Such organizations may
be dangerous, and are very rarely to be
| justified. The affair of the 18th Of
September is an illustration of this.
The committee give a detailed account
Of the trouble at that time, and say he
conservatives of Louisiana do not pro.
pose to fight the federal government.
They submit not because they want to,
but because they must; not because
they proclaim enmity against the flag =,
not because free labor has not been
found practicable; not because Of any
hostility to the colored people, because
they are colored, but be-
cause they regard themselves as
defrauded out of the election of 1872,
yet more out Of the last election, and
because they think their State govern.
ment has been to the last degree de.
structive and corrupt. Indeed, in our
Judgment, substantial citizons Of the
State will submit to any fair determin-
ton Of the question of the late election,
or to anything by which they can Sc
cure a firm and good government
Whot they seek is peace and opportuni-
ty for prosperity. To that end they
will support any form of government
that will afford them protection in their
distress, They have got beyond any
mere question of political party.
The committee recites at length the
facts relative to the attempted organi.
cation of the Legislature Of January
4th, and concludes as follows: "Your
committee have not been able to agree
upon any recommendation. but upon
the situation in Louisiana as it appear.
cd before us We are all agreed" The
7 report is signed by Chas. Foster, VIM.
W. Phelps, G. n. Potter.
The evidence upon which the sub.
COMMITTEES base their conclusions is now
being written out. II will be submitted
hereafter, If il shall be deemed desira.