Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-02-25
THE ALABAMA INJESTIG4TION

stituton of that State.
THE ALABAMA LNt-ESTIGATlON
The report of the Committee sent to Alabama
TO investigate the conditions of affairs in that State
is summarized as follows:
1t is signed by Messrs. Coburn, Albright and
Cannon. The minority, Messrs. Luttrell and
Buckner, will make a report disagreeing with the
views of the majorlty. The majority report first
gives the status of SOCIETY and political parties IN
the State prior to the election. At the opening OF
the campaign Republicans were denounced as
common enemies OF the white race, and long be-
fore the assembling Of the State Convention on
either side Democratic newspapers were filled
with appeals to the white people of the State to
stand as unit against the advance Of Republican
ism. These appeals were founded upon the pre-
tended assumptions Of Republican aggression, as
charged by Democratic politicians, in order 10 in
flame white men and arouse the deadliest of hui
man PASSIONS. The Democratic press of the
State was filled with accounts OF negroes arming
and drilling in order to intimldate the whites, and
that negro military companies were beng organ
lied for the same unlawful purpose. Pointed in
quiry on this subject totally disproyed every as
sumption of the character, and established the
further fact that not single negro militia COM
pany existed within the borders of the State.
These incendiary appeals produced disastrous
effect and the wonder is that it was not more so
and the committee believe that but for the time
" interference of the Administration in Louisiana
affairs, revolution would have been precipitated
upon the people of Alabama. 1t was not long be-
fore an era of intimidation. social ostracism per-
| soual violence, and murder was inaugurated, and
true men who stood by the faith of the Republi-
can party were subjected to series Of indignities
and maltreatment heretofore witnessed only il
savage warfare, and unworthy of the Christian
age in which we live. The principal objective
point, however, of the Democracy, thereport says
| seems to be to crush out the white leaders To
this end new feature of American politics, OF
social and business ostracism, was introduced
These are few of the notorious facts which con-
WINGED the Committee that the campaign of the
Democratic patty of Alabama was made against
the colored man. as such, and his white ally. Al
other issues were buried out Of sight. Appeals
were made to passion, prejudice, and hate. Rea-
son, principle, and law were not invoked; but the
canvass on the part of the Democrats was inaugu
rated in bitterness and strife, and ended in vic
tory won by fraud, violence, prescription, lntlml
dation, and murder.
| Under the circumstances the Committee say
our only regret is that there was no more UniteC
States soldiers in the State than there for The
purpose of aiding an enforcement of law. Up t.
the time when troops arrived, the Republican party
| remained dormant, liberty of speech was throttled
and the leaders of the party were unable to take
active measures in the campaign; but they die
so, and the story of how bravely and how sternly
they met the storm of obloquy reproach, and per
sonal danger that environed them deserves priv
ate page in the annals of American history. Tine
| best evidence that the democrats intended to en-
| force the threats of carrying the election at al
| hazards, the Committee continues, is supplied by
their actions on the day of the election. In tina,
portion of the State contiguous 10 the Georgia line
hundreds of citizens of that State invaded Alaba-
| ma, and not only voted once but repeatedly. Va
| rous statements of ballot box stufing, destruction
of the ballots Of Republican voters. and the burn
ing Of ballot boxes where the Republicans had ma
jorties, are given.
As to the condition Of the colored people the
Committee say their appearance is silent and
powerful witness of their poverty and want, Of the
hartships they have suffered and the prosecutions
they have silently endured The committee de-
clare that the statement contained in the letter oil
the Hon. Charles Hays to Gen. Ilawlcy are sub
stantially conoborated by testimony. The Com
! mittee conclude by stating that to secure pDliti
| cal freedom and good order at elections, laws
| should be punctiliousy enforced, that additional
| safeguards should be thrown around the ballot
box, and careful scrutiny exercised in counting
and certifying TO the results Of the election. and
that to this end supervisors and marshals in the
country districts should have the same power and
be charged with the same duties as those in cities
of over 20 600 inhabitants; that the use of firearms
at elections should be prohibited, and the strong
est possible legal prevcntives Of inroads from
voters OF other States should be established; that
United States Courts should have jurisdiction of
all offences against the laws pertaining to Com
gtessional elections, and that whatever safeguards
may be established shall be provided only TO Sc
cure peace and maintain law. To tins end the
Committee recommend the passage Of the Force
BILL