New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-01
is sOSTRACISM HONEsro
A NATCHIToCHES INCIDENT
AN HONEST DEMOCRAT APPOINTED IA,
COLLECTOR.
ASSAULTED AND DRIVEN AWAY BY
HIS NEIGHBORs.
A Good Case Of White League Integrity
FOOD FOR SENATORIAL REFLECTION

| FOOD FOR SENATORIAL REFLECTION
| For the careful consideration of every
one who either has or desires to have an
opinion based on substantial foundation on
the White League assertion that Republic
cans are socially accredited on their per.
sonal qualifications, plain statement OF
facts is here presented. 1t has beea stated
over and over again. in every possible way,
in the newspapers, in courts and committee
rooms, from the pulpit and on the stump,
in public and private, that no man IL Lou.
isiana suffered solely for his political opir.
ions. In the face of stark and ghastIy
mute testimony of those who are said to
walk silently and alone for opinions sake to
the crying out Of the very stones against
the spillers of the blood that stained
them, this assertion has been so
repeatedly made that from the force of re-
iteration it has become an article of faith.
Men who would scorn to do an act their
conscience condemned, with hearts full of
kindness to their brethren, who, separated
from the influence Of prejudice, would give
their all to further kind or merciful deed,
not only believe this, but have aided by
words of approval the very acts which by
their cruel and nerciless result have proved
| the contrary.
The extent TO which this idea that a
Republican or Northern man suffers moth.
| ing, merely because he is a Republican, has
blinded men in viewing the question, is
beyond the power of words to express. The
feeling Is 50 strong that at times fair hear
ing is utterly unattainable. For these
reasons all should mark well these few
unadorned facts.
In the parish of Natchitoches Mr.. c.. j.
c. Puckette has spent the greater portion
of his life He was born in Louisiana has
always been a Democrat. was candidate
for the Senate On the Fusion ticket, and
took his seat and acted with the McEnery
Senate. He was a property holder, was an
old editor, and his honesty hone could cues
ton. He was fully identified in the com
people of his parish. Acting on the repre-
sentation that all that was needed to satisfy
the opposition was the filling of offices with
honest men-men in harmony and ldenti-
fed with the people = Governor kel-
logg appointed this man tax COL
lector of that parish. In that parish
there are certain levies which have been
over and over again denounced as Illegal
and declared to be made for the sole pur.
pose Of filing dishonest Republican carpet
bags. Nevertheless there is significant and
uncontradicted testimony tending to show
the benefits Of this levy would accrue to
others than Republicans. Mr.. Puckette,
whether as Democrat believing the Dem
ocratic campaign cry that these levies were
dishonest because made by Republicans, or.
as an honest man being convinced by legi-
innate evidence, refused to press the tax
payers therefor.
Mark the result. A Democratic mob i'm
mediately inaugurated the work of perse-
cutting, maltreating and driving away this
Democratic tax collector who refused to
collect what was denounced by Democrats
as a carpet-bag and rascally Republican
attempt at knavery. He was threatened
assaulted and beaten. Every Democrat
who had signed his bond withdrew his
name. The leadership Of this outrage was
assumed or thrust upon the editor of the |
Vindieator, and he performed his task with |
Democratic vindictiveness. To save his |
life Mr.. Pucket.e, bruised and suffering.
fled to New Orleans to call OF the Governor
for protection.
Here is man driven from his home, his |
parish and his duties, because he is an otti- |
cial Of the present government of Louisiana. |
Is he a Republican, No; Democrat. Was
his character bad? No; its excellence was
his recommendation for the Office, for which |
his naighbors supported him two years ago.
Did he do a dishonest act in his office! No; |
his integrity is above question. DID he |
attempt to carry out an obnoxious Repub-
ican measure! No; he was attempting to |
defeat one 50 denounced by Democrats.
Why, then, is this honest man, old and |
citizen, Democratic leader and |
gentlemen, driven from his hone9
He is compelled to seek sanctuary solely |
because he is an official of the Republican
government of Louisiana.
When. then, no other cause can be honestly
is there not force in the doubt ex-
pressed in the question: Are Republicans |
because they are dishonest! Nct1
'nly among those more deeply interested
n its solution by living under its effect is
his question important, but to all who de-
triumph. To those abroad to whom we
ook for aid or counsel, this latest case is
And should it meet the eye
If those Senators who have been most
prominent in their interest in the Louis
ana question, should Morton or Cameron,
'r even Thurman see it, they can find much
n it for reelection.
Anna Dickinson.