Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-02-25
ALABAMA.
Report OF the Majority OF the CsBgret.
si0Bai Committee TO Investigate the
PreseHt Condition OF Public
Affairs.
The Lying Letter OF COnsressman Bays
IHdOrsed, and the Force.Blll Be-
commended as an Absolute
Necessity.


WAsIINGToN, February GA st
Louis Democrat special says that tbs
committee who went to Alabama to in.
vestigate the affairs in that State have
agreed upon report which will be pre-
scented to the house tomorrow, IL the
floor can be obtained. 1t is signed by
Messrs. Coburn, Albright and Con.
nor. The minority, Messrs. Luttrell
and BuckneT, will make re-
port disagreeing with the view OF
the majority. the report first
gives the statistics of society and politi.
cal parties 10 the State prior TO the elec.
ton. At the commencement Of the
campaign the Republicans are de-
uounced as common enemies of the
whole race, whose suppression is neces-
sary 10 the preservation Of that race.
Long before the assembling OF the con-
veution on either side, Democratic news
papers were filled with appeals to the
white people Of the State to stand as q
unit against the advance Of Republi-
canism. These appeals were founded
upon the apparent assumption Of the Re-
publican aggression, as charged by the
Democratic politicians. In order to in
fame the white mau and arouse the
desdliest of human passions, the Demo-
cratic press Of the State were filled with
accounts OF negroes arming and drilling,
in order 10 intimidate whites, and that
the negro military, too, were being or
gaRiZed for the same unlawful purpose.
Pointed inquiry on this subject disproved
every assumption of this character, and
established further the fact that not a
single negro company existed within
the borders of the State. These incen-
diary appeals produced a disastrous ef-
feet, and the wonder is that it was not
more so; and the committee believe
that, but for the timely interference Of
the administration in Louisiana affairs
q revolution would have been preeipi-
tated upon the people Of Alabama. 1t
was not long before on era OF intimida-
lion, social ostracism, personal violence
aud murder was inaugurated, and true
men who stood by the faith Of the Re-
publican party were subjected to series
OF indignities aud maltreatment here
tofore witnessed only in savage warfare,
and unworthy OF the christian age in
which we live. The principal objective
point, however, Of the Democrats seemed
20 be to crush out white leaders. To this
end new features Of American politics,
OF socisl and business Ostracism was
introduced. These are a few OF the
notorious facts which convinced the
committee that the campaign of the
Democratic party in Alabama was
made against the colored man as such,
aud his white ally. All other issues
were buried out of sight. Appeals
were made TO passion, prejudice and
hate. Reason, principle and law were
not invoked, but the canvass on the
part OF the Democrats was inaugurated
in bitterness and strife, and ended in
victory, won by fraud, violence, perse-
cution, inttmidatiOn and murder. Evil
dence shows that political meetings OF
colored men were broken up by aimed
Democrats, who went about threatening
negroes, and burning their churches be-
cause Republican meetings were held in
them. Colored men were threatened
with loss Of employment unless they
voted the Democratic ticket. Black
lists of colOred men were prepared for
future dismissal. Pledge meetings were
gotten UP, to which colOred men weIe
6rought under fear of dismissal from
euployment. White Republic q rs wer9
insulted and msltrested, and business
taken from them. This enumeration
embraces some OF the methods by which
the white mans party proposed to carry
The State Of Alabama. The State au-
thorities were pOwerless to quell dis
turbances, protect citizens, and enforce
law. Officers were In league with law
breakers. Courts of justice were pow
erless 10 make arrests, and the governor
had no militia aid except the very men
who were committing depredatiOns.
Hinder all the circumstances, the COM
,,t;ttee say, our only regret is that
there were not more United States SOL
diers IN the State than there was, for the
nurpose Of aiding in the enforcement of
law Cp to the time when troops ar
rived the Republican party remained
dormant, liberty Of speech was throt.
He'd. and the leaders OF the party were
unable 10 take active measures In the
campaign; but they did, and the story
~ how bravely and how sternly they
met the storm OF oblCquy, reproach and
persoual danger that environed them,
deserves s private page in the annals or
American history. The best evidence
that the Democrats intended to enforce
the threats Of carrying the election at
sII hazards is supplied by their action on
the day OF election in that portion OF
The State contiguous to the Georgia line.
Hundreds OF citizens of that State in
1-aded Alabama, and not only voted
once. but repeatedly. Various state
ynents Of ballot-bOX stuffiug, destruction
of ballots OF Republican voters, and
burning Of hallot-boxes where Republi-
cans had msjorities, are given in full.
a review of the riots at Mobile, Eufauls,
9oripg Hill, Parkland, Gainesville,
and other places, are set forth, and
fhe opinion is expires ed by the COM
~,ittee hat had q full and fair cleo
lion taken place the entire Republican
state ticket, with q msjOTity Of MEM
baTs al the general assembly, and six
ont Of eight Republican congressman,
yyould have been elected. The whole
election was an imposition on popular
rjghta. The result obtained was the ac-
cSnpIishment of threats OF Democratic
electors TO carry the elections st all haz-
arJs. The committee declare that the
charges OF corruption ard plundering
against the Republican officials are un-
Fonnded. and unworthy q belief AS 10
fbe condition OF the coloTed people, the
committee say their appearance Is silent
and powerful witness OF their poverty
and want, and the hardships they have
suffered, and the prosecutions they nave
siiently endured, The committee de-
clsre,l that the statements contained in
the letter OF IlDls NhdAASS AAoJ ~ oOA-
eral Havley are substantially corrobora-
ted by the testimony. The committee
concluded by stating that political free
dom and good order at elections should
be nunctilliously enforced; that add.
tioual safeguards should be thrown
around the ballot-box, and care
mi scrutiny exercised in count
nc and certifying the results OF
elections; that to this end supervisors
and marshals in the country districts
should have the same power an be
cborgad with the same duties as those
i'm cities Of over twenty Thousand in
Isbitants; lhat the use OF firearms at
elections should te prohibited, and the
strougcgt possible legal preventive OF in
yoads from voters Of other States shall
be established; that United States courts
e5ouId have jurisdiction of all offenses
sr,oiDst the laws pertaining 10 congress
oionsI elections, and that whatever safe.
Guards msy be established, shall De pro-
7jJed only to secure peace and maintain
-, 20 tbig end. The committee recon-
-nended The passage Of the force bill.