The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-01-22

ders OF like character have been COM
United in individual cases which can not
here be detailed. For example, I. s..
, CralTord, Judge Of the parish, and the
District Attorney of the Twelfth Judi
cial District of the State, on their way to
court were shot from their horses by
men in ambush. on the 8th of October,
1873, and the wife of the former in a
communication to the Department Of
Justice, tells a pitsous tale of the perse-
} cutions of her husband, because he was
a Union man, of efforts made to seize
those who had committed a crime which
left two widows and nine orphans DESC
late. To say that the murder of a negro
or white Republican is not considered
a crime in Louisiana, would probably
be unjust to n great part of the people,
but It is true that greatnumber of such
murders have been committed and no
one has boen punished therefor, and
manifestly to them the spirit of hatred
aud violence is stronger than law. Rep
resentations were made to me that the
presence of troops in Louisiana was un-
necessary, and l, relying on the people,
that there was no danger Of public dis
turbance if they were taken away, con-
sequently early in last summer the
troops were Withdrawn from the State
with the exception of small garrison at
New Orleans barracks. 1t was stated
that a comparative state of quiet had SUI
pervened, political excitement as to
Louisiana affairs seemed to be dying
out, but the November election was ap-
Iproaching and it was necessary for party
purposes that the flame should be re-
! lighted Accordingly on the 14th of
September, d. Penn, claiming he was
elected Lieutenant Governor, in 1872,
issued an inliammatory proclamation
calling upon the militia of the State to
arm, assemble, and to drive out the
usurpers, as he designated the officers
of the State The White Leaguers,
armed and ready for the conflict,
promptly responded, On the same day
the Governor made a formal requisition
upon the President in pursuance of the
act of 1895, and section of article of
the Constitution to aid in suppressing
domestic violence On the next day 1
issued my proclamation, commanding
the insurgents to disperse within five
days from the date thereof, but before
the proclamation was published in New
Orleans the organized and armed forces,
recognizing a usurping Governor, had
taken a fo7cible possession of the State
House and temporarily subverted the
government. Twenty or more people
were killed, including number Of the
police OF the city; the streets of the city
were stained with blood. All that was
desired in the way of excitement had
been accomplished, and in view of the
steps taken to repress it, the revolution
was apparently, though it is believed
not really abandoned, and the cry of
federal usurpation and tyranny in Louis
lana was renewed with redoubled ener-
gy. Troops had been sent to the State
under the requisition of the govern
ment, and as other disturbances seemed
imminent they were allowed to remain
there to render the Executive such aid
as might become necessary to enforce
the lawsof the State and repress the con-
tinued violence which seemed inevitable
the moment federal support should be
withdrawn. Prior to and with view to
the lata election in Louisiana, white men
associated themselves together in armed
bodies oalled White Leagues and at the
same inc threats were made in the
Democratic journals of the State that
the elections should be carried against
the. Republicans at all hazards, which
very naturally greatly alarmed the col
ored voters. By section of the act of
February %, 1871, it is made the duty
of United States Marshals and their dep
uties at the polls where votes are cast
for Representatives in Congress, to keep
the peace and prevent any violations of
the so-called enforcement acts and other
offenses against the laws of the United
States, and upon a requisition of the
Marshal of Louisiana, and in view of
said armed organization and other por-
tentious circumstances, caused detach-
ment3 Of troops to be stationed in various
localities in the State to aid him in the
performance of his official duties and
| the enforcement of the State laws. That
there was intimidation of Republican
voters at the election Notwithstanding
these precautions, admits of no doubt.
The following are specimens of the
means used: On the 14th of October,
eighty persons signed and published the
following at Shreveport: eve, the I'M
dersigned merchants of the city of
shreveport, in obedience to a request of
the Shreveport Campaign Club, agree
to use every endeavor to get our en-
ployes to vote the peoples ticket at the
ensuing election, and in the event of
their refusal so to do, or in case they