Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-11-17
The Result OF the Election.

1t was fair presumption that the colored
vote would be polled for President in every
Southern state where the State government
was in Republican hands. In other words,
wherever the colored voters could have rea-
sonable hope of protection, they would vote
for President. They have been easily fright
oned from the polls, in many local and State
elections but they know enough to know
that voting for President is quite another
thing that their chances Of being preserved
from condition of subsection, in which their
privilege of voting will depend solely on
whether they will vote with and for their
late masters, depends on Republican suprem-
acy in the National Government. They
would therefore vote, and vote the Republican
ticket, wherever they dared. For this
reason We have always placed North Carolina
and Florida in the Republican column; and
Louisiana has been considered doubtful only
because of the desperate character of the
White Leaguers Of that State and of doubts
as to what lengths they would venture TO
cans The most reliable adyices from
Louisiana show that with the exception Of
half dozen parishes-in which a reign OF
terror prevailed, and in one of which, having
an actual Republican majority Of thou
sand, but a single Republican vote was
polled at this election-the colored voters
polled a heavy vote. and that it was, if pos
sibie, more unanimously Republican than
ever. OF course, frauds excluded, the State
has gone Republican. But, say the Demo
Gratis. there have been Republican election
frauds in Louisiana before now 1t Is true
that the Congressional investigation showed
that the Louisiana Republicans, in he last
State election, fought their opponents to
some extent with their own weapons. If
they have done 50 now, Of which there il no
evidence, we trust the fraudulent votes will
be thrown out. We wish only an honest
count. there and everywhere. But it is
needless to say that We DO not want Repub-
lican frauds. if there have been any, thrown
out. willie Democratic frauds and violence
are allowed to stand. With fair and hon
est count we 90 not doubt that Louisiana
will give her electoral vote TO Hayes and
" hecler and If there is not an honest
count the eminent gentlemen who have
gone down there 10 look into the matter |
viii know the reason why. So Of Florida. |
The Democrats have evidently given up /
that State. and, as an offset to charges OF /
fraud and Intimidation brought against
them, they are charging ike offences on the
Republicans. Thus, despatch from the
chairman Of the Democratic State Commit
tee IS published, in which lie SAYS They
(the Republicans overrun u with fraadu-
lent votes while our challengers were e4-
'ludod Intimidation was practiced to
such an extent as to deter our colored Dem
ocrats from voting with Us. The women
we're the worst" This last sentence
els tho story If the worst "intim-
iation % these "a colored Democrats -
was from the women, it is safe
o infer that the whole Of it did not amount
0 much Ga the other hand, word comes
rom Florida Of polling places attacked by
he Democrats, the inspectors empowered.
be ballots burned, and the returns Of Re
ubiican majorilies changed to Democratic
lajjritie- 1t is on the basis Of such frauds
hat the Democrats have hitherto claimed
lorida, as they hyc claimed South Caro-
ma on the strength Of Democratic MAORI
Is in the COUNTIES on the Georgia border,
here Democratic rcpeaters came over by {
lousanis from Georgia and voted. The South
aro,ina election law. elsewhere described.
guid seem to afford means for the eorrcc- t
IN Of these frauds Whether they are y
lowed to stand or not, Gov Chamberlain, b
no Is a responsible man, insists that tie
ate las gone Republican. Tie Official re- c
ms viii soon set speculation at rest and,
the meanwhile. the most reliable indica- L
us continue to point to the election Of
ayes and Wheeler, by the small bat. il J
sufficient majority Of one t