The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-02-26
LOUISIANA.

Abstract OF the Hoar sub Committe e's
Report 49, Representative Conservative s
Offer IL Compromise to the President, but
He Refuses to Hear 1t.
REPORT OF THE HoAR COMMITTEE
The following is syno rsis of the report of
the majority of the Hoar subcommittee, az pre-
scented to the House Of Representatives
First-1hat there exists in the White Mems party
purpose 10 take possession by force fraud, of
the State government without regard to the qIics-
ton who may have numerical majority at any fair
election.
Se.soild-That in the execution of this purpose.
they will not hesitate to any instrumentalities
which they think designed to accomplish their end
whether the same be murder, fraud, civil war, or
coercion of lsborers by their employers.
Third-While there are many white men OF mod
crate means who do not themselves approve
of these unlawful means such men desire the ac-
complishment of the same end and powerless
under the leadership Of their more influential as
sociates
Folrth-Three causes have made it easy for the
white men 10 70 unite The fact that the admins
trston party in Louisiana il made up almost alto
gether of negro votes with few white votes, large
ly from other States the fact that there has been
maladministration by Republican officials; the be-
lief by large number Of the white people that they
have been twice defrauded of the results Of the
cessful election.
FYfh-while these things are deplorable the
course Of the white people themselves has tended to
bring them about. The simple and peaceful RENE
dies OF obedience law and decent treatment
ponents would, If they had pursued them, have
proven effective long ago.
SiEth- While we believe Gov. Kellogg received a
majority of votes in 1872 and while We believe there
violence and fraud in many Of the parishes in
1874 the illegal order of Judge Durel and the illegal
conduct of the Returning Board in attempting to
cure wrong by another, have furnished substan-
tal basis for complaint.
!Serenth-There has been much dishonesty and
corruption in Louisiana. For these the Republican
officials under Warmoths rule largely RESPONSE
although q beer
equally guilty.
Eiohth-The effect of all this has been to put an
end To the authority Of law throughout large por
ton of Louisiana, 10 deprive the negro of freedom
and suffrage, and 10 destroy the safeguards provided
by law 10 fairness in elections This state of
things overthrows republican government in Louisi-
! ana, and seriously menaoos the whole country.
Niath-A new election under national authority is
desired by neither side.
Tsnth-Congress should exercise it's constitutional
powers We think William Pitt Kellogg was the
choice OF the majority of the voters in 1872, and
should b. recognized.
E,euenth-These remedies are but superficial. Eff
icient educational aid would have done much to pre-
vent the evil, and may do much TO effect the cure.
The public sentiment of the rest of the country,
without distinction Of party, may do much to re-
move, II has already unfortunately done much to
aggravate, the evils Of Louisiana. The people
should be made TO understand that the authority
lodged in the national government to preserve a
republican form Of government and to protect the
rights of all citizens will be kindly but fearlessly
and steadily exercised, and that no party in this
seeking power by such methods as we have been
compelled to describe Unless this can be done, the
overthrow of the free institutions of the whole United
states will not long survive the destruction of those
in the South
The report il accompanied by a resolution
recommending the recognition of Kellogg and
the return of the five Conservative members Of
the Legislature.
The following are the conclusions Of that
portion Of the report which relates to intimi-
dation:
We cannot doubt that the effect of all these things
was IN present full free, and fair election, and TO
intimidgte the coored voters and the white Repnbi-
cans. The very formation of white mans party
wac menace OF terrible import 10 those who re-
member ColfaS and Bouser The press was 1lled
with threats Of violence. The agreement 10 dis
charge laborers the suggestion that wild beasts
tanned Ivy hunger, evidence Of the general
spirit. Tho overthrow Of the State government by
tho White League the 14th Of September; the
turning out Of large numbers OF parish officials in
the county by compelling them TO Nee for their lives
the fearful lesson OF COushatta the formation,
ing, and drilling Of the white League, the natural
SUCCESSORS Of the Knights Of the White Camellia I;
those things in a community where there II pun
ishnent for political mur Ter, must in the nature of
thlngs, have hlled with terror people timid and
gentle like the colorcd population Of Louisiana even
II we had not taken abundant evidence 10 special
acts OF violence and crime and their effect on par
tcular neighborhoods
The report is signed by Messrr. Frye Hoar
and Wheeler Foster and Phelps agree with