The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-12-01

Intimidation is the grand excuse which
the Republicans allege for their frauds in
Louisiana, South Carolina and Florida A
staff correspondent of the New York Tribune
writing from New Orleans, while admitting
that 1.-THE Democrats poled majority Of all
the votes actually found in the ballot boxes
in Louisiana on the 9TH of November" I'M
.dertakes to show that this result was OBJ
tanned by " intmidating" the colored voters
He has not the assurance to allego that the
United States troops, the United States Mar.
shals and the Republican Sheriffs and their
deputies were not sufficient to protect the
colored voters on the day of election. He
does not deny that every negro who wanted
to vote was permitted TO cast his ballot as he
pleased, and in perfect safety. But he en-.
deavors TO explain the fact that in many
parishes large number of the negroes either
voted the Democratic ticket or stayed home,
by the absurd plea that they were " intimi-
dated some six or eight years ago, and have
been afraid TO come to the polls ever since.
He cites as All example st. Landry parish,
which has been carried by the Democrats
ever since 1868, and which this year was
carried for Hayes. Now if the presence of
troops inspired the colorcd voters in that
parish with sufficient courage to come out
and vote, why should not the presence of
troops in other parishes have brought about
The same result? That it did have that eff.
feet is testified to by impartial observers:
but instead of voting the Republican ticket
as heretofore, the negroes this time under
the protection afforded them, voted the
Democratic ticket and assisted in giving
Tilden clear majority of 1000 in Louisiana.
The same correspondent says,
/" might, by spending few hours in the
Republican Headquarters, compile evidence
which taken by itself would prove that in
some parts of this State the election was
worse than moclery; the aflldavis in sup
port of it, most Of them made on printed forms
slgaed aotth a cross mark, would fill pages of
the 1Tadune. l might then supplement this
with as many more aflidavits signed by nc.
spectacle achite men, and some Of them Jg me-
groes and Republican Cfice-holdcrS, proving
that the election in the same parishes was
free and peaceable in every respect"
Now, we ask, which side Of the story Is
best entitled to belief? The Republican side,
backed up by printed atidavits, signed with
a cross'mark by negroes who could not read
and did not know what they testified tor
the affidavits of respectable white men,"
negroes and Republican office holders"
proving that the election in Louisiana was
free and peaceable in every respect2 Instead
of Republicans, white or black, being intm-
idated, they were the intimidators. SAYS n
correspondent of the New York 1i9Junc:
AS the son of an Abolitionist of as long
standing as Gerritt Smith or Horace Greeley,
as an Abolitionist myself, who risked life for
the principle on the battle field, l hope may
have my say. AT the North l would be an
Independent Or Liberal Republican; in
Louisiana every consideration of deccncy and
honesty compels me 10 be Democrat |
was present all day at my poll on Nov. 7.
The only Intimidation there was on the part
of Republicans / was myself insulted and
menaced with pistol by Republican because
l was Democrat, and at the very door of
the poll heard the viest epithets applied 10
all Democrats, simply because they were
Democrats, The half dozen United States
deputy marshals at the polls were sof the
dregs of the population, and were appointed
evidently for the sole purpose of giving them
authority to carry arms and hus intimidate
Democratic voters. The Republicans tried
all day to start n fight, but as the Democrats
went unarmed, TO vote and not to fight, the
prosecuted lambs of your party were not
gratified Sir, / fought four years in the
Union army, to preserve the Union; q few
years more of Grautism and Kelloggism will
prepare me to fight twice four years to de.
mOlish it.
SHELDON GUTHRIE, .JR,
Ex.Lieutenant Col 32d o. Vet. Vol. Inf,
Orange City, La, Nov. 81, 1876"