The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-02-10
THE EVIDENCE.

mony Of the witnesses examined il
our behalf from our Parish, and ar
confident our readers and our peopl'
will be glad to see and read for them
selves what is said in their behalf b,
those in whom they trust, and whom
they delight to honor. Just at thi
time nothing can be of more vital i'm
terest to them in more sense thar
one; hence without further common
we give it below as reported in tn
Picayune and Bulletin:
Robt. P. Hunter-Lives in Rapide!
and is sole editor and proprietor o
the Caucasian, and also an attorney
at law. In 1868 there was the usua
excitement attending a Presidential
election. 1t was matter of genera
notoriety that the negroes were mass
ed at Alexandria in an armed body
The police disarmed these blacks
which prevented the occurrence O
trouble.
In 1870 the same thing took place
the negroes marched to Alexandri;
and left their arms in the yicinity,-
They voted in mass, having in ont
case, exclusive possession of poll
The Republican candidates quiet
ly took their Offices. The Liberia
Republican movement in 1872 en-
bodied nearly all Of the whites, but
witness was opposed to utilization
with Warmoth's party.
At this election the negroes com.
planned that they were not allowed tc
register; they were armed and came
in bodies, but there was no disturb.
ance. In 1868, 10, '72, the colored
people had secret meetings at theil
political clubs, not from any danger
of assemblage in the day, but because
it suited the designs of their leaders.
In all Of of the campaigns, invitations
had been extended to the blacks to
join the Conservative movement, but
very few availed themselves of this
request.
The argument used to prevent their
acquiescence was that the Democrats
the white people, would return them
to slavery. The Caucasian was the
first paper to suggest the color-line
division in politics. the first editorial
on that subject being published in
the edition of March %, 1874. Wit.
ness read portion Of this article
where the expression White Mans
party was used for the first time.
The argument used by the whites
were that the colored people repre-
scented the laboring element, and the
whites the capital and the intelli-
gence, so that a union of the two
would add to the mutual prosperity
Of the races.
The formation of the White Mans
party was not as a means of Cypress
ing the blacks, but to unite the
whites.
The people believed in 1874 that
there was no utility in attempting to
carry the election, as the fruits of
victory would be taken away by the
Republicans, assisted by the Federal
Administration.
If a struggle had not been made in
the campaign Of 1874, the result
would have been that the negroes
would have carried out their plan of
Africanizirg the State; that is, fill
ing the Offices with people of their
race, and inviting negro immigration
from the neighboring States.
This was the only consideration
that united the whites, and urged
them to take part to the election.
The campaign in Rapides common
ced in June, 1874. There was more
division among the negroes than hith-
erto; this was caused by the refusal
of their prominent preachers to fol-
low the general rule of meddling in
politics. Eight or ten of the colored
leaders joined the Conservative party.
When the news Of the 18th of Sep
TENDER reached Alexandria, resolu-
tons were passed and the McEnery
officials were installed in the most
peaceful manner, the positions being
resigned by the opposite party with
out any i'll feeling.
The election was quietly conduct
ed; .. S. troops were quarteredi in the
Court House yard. They presented
a request to the Sheriff, which was
signed by Gen. Emory, but had come
through Gov. Kellogg, that the troops
should be allowed to quarter in the
Court House, but the building being
newly finished the request was re-
fused. T;ant polror oonr,ond;nr+b o