The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-01-21
The uEIiiSsj jpissssi; ssaiS'E6s sssS.

eace to- combipations sulong the white
people of4Shssveport. Loiisisna, 10
reFpse colored people work or renew
lespes, was no doubt intended to of.
set despatohes~ Of the same date and
from the same place and person to the
effect that idle negroes were rowing
about the country in bands. commit
ting larcenies and other depredations
calculated to alarm aud exotic the white
residents. It is quite doubtful if COM
binations OF the character and for the
purpose charged have been entered
into, and very unlikely that such per
son as Merrill would be entrusted with
knowledge Of the fact, If true. Sup
posing the worst that he represents to
have occurred, the mouth of the Go.
vernment is efectualIy stopped by its
own habit OF systematic combination
against voters who choose to exercise
their privileges fearlessly. What else
but intimidation does it mean, by with
drawing it's printing contracts from
such a staunoh Journal as the New
York Eoening Post, because 1t con-
demned Sanborn contracts and be-
cause its venerable editor chose to
| denouaoe the Louisiana military
usurpatiou? Only few days ago, the
postmaster at Georgetown, in this
State, was removed because ho took O
certain side in politics. What is more
notorious than the removal of one
GLASS of voters from the navy yards and
the employment Of another more facile
class just before elections2" Intimi-
dation there is generally, more or less,
in all elections. and by all sides. The
contest for Office brings out the worst
qualities OF men. Having determined
to succeed. regarding success az dire
necessity and q high virtue. they be-
come blind to the means they use to
compass it. We may pardon somc-
thing to the weakness of human
nature in an individual, or a
party even, not enlightened and
moving upon low moral plane.
But in the government OF the coun-
try, in the highest officers of its Nd
ministration, in men whose example ie
the more dangerous because of ,hoir
elevated position, upon whose shoul-
ders rests more exalted responsibility,
such degradation cannot be excused :.
But, practically. it goes further. and
by persecution of those who, per-
chance. initiate its example, it claims
a monopoly in this Questionable busi-
ness. Senator Sohurz, in his able aud
moderate speech in the United States
Senate, the other day, upon his reso.
luton to instruct the judiciary Com
mittee to inquire what Legislation by
Congress is necessary to secure to the
people Of Louisiana their rights OF
eIf-government under the Constitu-
ton. had full warrant for the following
grave statement and charge:
II cannot forget the spectacle OF
Marshal Packard. with the dragoons
of the United States at the disposition
Of the chairman Of the Kellogg cum
paign committee at the late election in
Louisiana. riding through tho Stats
with full assortment of warrants in
his hands, arresting whomsoever he
listed. cannot forget, that as to the
discharge of laborera from employ.
ment for political GAUGE, most seduc-
tive and demornl:Eing example is set
by the very highest authority in the
land. While We have law ON our
statute-book declaring the intimida-
tion OF voters by threatened or actual
discharge from employment punisha-
ble offence, it is the notorious practice
OF the Government of the United
States to discharge every QUE OF its
employees who dares to vote against
the Administration party; and that is
done North and South, East and West,
ns fur as the arm Of that Government
reaches. I have always condemned
the intimidation, of voters in every
shape, and, therefore, I have been in
favor OF genuine civli-service reform.
But while your Nationel Government
is the champion intimidator in the
land. yen n,net net lie surprised if
partisans on both sides profit little
from it's example,"