The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-06
CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE.
Twelfth Days Proceedings.
Jas. 8. White.

tSeSlueS now III NaCnlCOCQeS PARISH. Is
Methodist preacher, and within the last few
years has resided in various portions of the
State. About the middle of last February
went to Grant parish Found that the white
community was much disturbed in conse-
~quence of the indiscriminaie prosecution by
Federal authorities, subsequent to the Colfax
affair. Many persons who are wholly limo.
cent were indicted, and so unrelenting were
these prosecutions that it had the effect of
alternating many white Republicans from the
party in that and some of the adjoining
parishes.
The Parish Judge Of Grant, W. B. Phillips,
for certain pecuniary considerations, pro-
cured the release Of several parties indicted
was arrested for the murder Of an old man
named Walters. The races in tina. section
live amicably. The whites are in the ma
jority, but owing to frauds, have been beaten
in the elections Judge Kelly, Of VIM
parish. Republican, is highly esteemed by
She Democrats.
To Mr.. Marshall-The greatest indignation
would be expressed by Democrats against the
man who would defraud the ignorant negro
of the fruits of his labor.
The people feel that they have been
wronged and outraged, for the election was
free and fair.
Has never witnessed o more quiet election
IN any Northern State. The negroes who
voted the Conservative ticket did so because
they had become disguised with corrupt Re-
publican officials.
To Mr. Frye-Is from Tennessee; was in
the rebel army, and served there for three
years; is Democrat has voted for Repub.
ican; voted for Judge Kelly, . man regarded
as honest and upright.
Never told Kellogg that ne (witness) was
- 1, a. L.
black Republican party. Never told Kellogg
that he would one day have to fee from the
wrath of God.
Considers the Colfax affair Q disgrace to
civilization, but fixes the responsibility upon
those who could but did not take steps to
prevent it. The whites were justified in that !;
it was q step taken in the direction of self
protection. Never heard such evidence as
convinced him that the Kellogg Government
vas overthrow
Doesn't look like it was overthrown or can
be, supported by the Federal Government;
there was talk of organiz,nga white league In
Grant parish, but witness counseled againstit
deeming it quite unnecessary; thinks the peo-
pie are devoted and loyal to the principles OF
the General Government, but are decidedly
opposed to the manner of its administration,
its officers, its personnel. .#.5..
To Mr. Hoar-Has heard that there existed
a white league in the parishes of st. Mary,
Iberia, St. Martin, Natchitoches, Caddo and
Orleans.
4. L. Pierson addressed communication
to the committee, desiring to correct state
ment made in his testimony given last week.
He desired to withdraw the statement tina.
Wm H. Levy had hired Texans to assassinate
him (Pierson.) The parties from whom
Pierson received such information in Natchi-
soches have come forward and affirm that
they were mistaken.
Mr.. Abney.
was called to the stand and asked by Mr. Frye
if he had not advised Mr.. Scott, who was
prisoner in Coushatta, not to go with the
guard in the direction of Shreveport. Wit
ness answered in the affirmative. Scott is a
Master Mason and witness il also. Witness
asserted that he had not only advised Mr..
Scott, but advised ell the prisoners not to 60.
They went, however, with the guard of their
own choice.
Judge Thomas G. Manning.
Resides in Rapides parish there has always
been a kindly feeling between the whites and
blacks of Rapides parish; they were alienated,
however, to some extent. by the interposition
of the carPet-bagger; in 1872, there was mani
tested some disposition on their part to act
with the white people, and this disposition
has extended each year since
70 Mr. Marshall-Tae election was quite
sair, and the colored vote was influenced In
favor of the Conservatives only by fair and
legitimate means; there is no white league in
the parish; the only organization is solely po-
iitical; there was mass meeting called to
elect delegates to the B lton Rouge convention;
the call extended to all persons who were OF
posed to the Kellogg administration.
At the meeting thus convened, the name
of White Mans Party was adopted. and the
delegates to the Convention were representa-
tiyes of the White Mans Party of Rapides
parish
If there should be an attempt to dissever
the Union, believes the Southern people
would be the very first to oppose it. In the
event of q foreign war the Southern people
would support the Government earnestly.
The man who would detraud his colored
laborer would assuredly be regarded with con-
tempt by white community.
There is no disposition in Rapides parish to
Republicans socially on account OF
their political sentiments.
There is no kindly feeling entertained for
those men who have come here, and concert
with those who are disposed to defraud the
people of their rights and liberties. Republican
!sn in the South is not what it is in the North.
There are two great political parties there,
opposed honestly to each other as to the best
means of conducting the government. Here
it is not so.
To MIR. Frye-Does not believe that the
Democratic party adopted Governor Warmoth
in 1872 that he might bring the engineering
which he had con rolled in behalf OF himself
in previous elections.
The reason for calling the party the White
Man S party, was because the people were de-
frauded of their victory of 1872, and, there
fore, in 1872, afeeling of lethargy was pre-
valent aud to arouse them thoroughly 1t was
decided to appeal in this manner to the PRIDE
Of the race.
This adoption of the name of White Mans
party was not drawing of the color line
Never represented to Kellogg that it was IN
necessary to send troops to Colf.x Went to
see Kellogg solely about the parish OF kapides,
and infor ~ him that the representations OF
one Lloyd Shorter, a negro, were false, and
that the presence of troops there was unne-
IN have