Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-12-22

radical ticket, but they 'suaded me to vote
the Democratic +; they just put de pistol to
my head and 'suaded me-"
Thus it appears that the whites brought
a double influence to bear upon the colored
voter. One class Of citizens held out induce
ment of protection, employment and favor,
taking them into the clubs, while another
class by acts Of violence, made protection a
necessity-driving them in.
To satisfy me that this double operation
produced the result of reducing the Repub-
Iican and increasing the Democratic votes,
there was needed only the testimony Of the
colored men in the disturbed parishes who
lett the Republican party and joined the
Democratic clubs, and this evidence
was supplied by an invitation from Demo-
Gratis to be present at meetings where color
ed men were giving their experiences and
stating the reasons which induced them to
join the clubs. In these meetings they
stated that Republicans had deceived them
and failed to give them protection. That
they had lost confidence in their local lead
ers, and as their old masters offered them
protection and employment they had con-
clnded to try them. In answer to questions
by Republicans. they said that on joining
the Democratic clubs they received certi-
tcates of protection, and on the day Of cleo
ton, they voted open tickets, the clubs 60
ing to the polls in body and each member
taking an open Democratic ticket in public
view and delivering it to the official.
As these meetings were not adapted to full
and satisfactory personal inquiry, asked one
in authority, who seemed desirous that the
truth should appear, if might examine
some OF the men apart, in my own room. lie
freely assented. and | did g. and there
learned, from such as came me volun-
tarily, that they had not chan | their poll
teal principles, that they re at heart
Republicans, and only joined IT,, Democratic
clubs for protection. One OF them said !:
We 90 in to get under shelter" They said
when they were slaves their masters pro-
tected them, but now they have no protec-
ton f.; that their neighborhoods are raided
BY bull-dozers, aud when they are called
on by such bands, if they have a badge
from the Democratic club, to show that they
are of - their stripe" the bull-dogers will
not hurt them but if they have no badge,
they must look out for themselves When
asked how thew would have voted had they
felt free to vote as they pleased, the answer
ed emphatically " The Republican ticket
i1e are Republicans, and can't Be anything
else"
Thus my inquiries outside Of the evidence
before the returning board greatly strength
ened the conclusion drawn from that testi-
mony. Ard on the whole matter | rest well
satisfied that in emitting the terrorized
parishes and polls the board only applied
the law Of Louisiana 10 the facts as estab-
lished in proof and existing in truth, and
hat The result obtained as not only lairfu!,
but righteous
1t may be noted that do not defend the
returning board, either as an institution or
in its personnel. 1t is far more important
for me 10 know that the conclusion is right
The institution OF the returning board Is
political necessity, devised to meet and
counteract violence against which no ordi-
nary guard would suffice, and provided by
law to protect the most inofensiye race
against the most warlike. The law is
founded on the principle that the only ad
equate protection against violence is to rem
der violence fruitleSs
This it does as far as practicable, without
counting votes not cast (Which it will not
yised 1t is justified By necessity.
The act as it stands was passed by the con-
currence of all parties, and it has been used
by all parties. 1t was signed by Gov. War
moth in order to elect Mr. Greeley, aud first
used to that end. The present members of
the board were appointed by the State Sen
ate as Republicans and Conservatives. The
Democratic member resigned at the instance
Of his party. The members are two white
men, old citizens Of more than average sub
stance and capacity two free born natives
Of very slight admixturc of color-scarcely
visible-men Of property and more than
average intelligence.
The bench, as it sat, appeared to be not
unequal to the ordinary duties OF the board,
though in this crisis could have wished to
see men OF the most exalted character and
capacity in their places. Yet they were
there where the law placed them, in posi-
ton which no man envied and none desired
to assume. They have passed through perils
such as would have appalled, some men, and
temptation such as would have overcome
others. They have given Judgment as the
law required, and that judgment, lawfully
given, should command the respect of all
good citizens. JOE 4. STEVENSON.