The Morning herald., 1876-11-28
THE SOUTH.

LAKE CITY, FLA, Nov. 23d, 1875.
EDITOR OF MORNING HERALD :-Befort
leaving Wilmington several of my friend.
requested me to find out If possible the sit
uation of affairs In this State and report
the same to your valuable paper.
am well aware that it is difficult mat
ter, for one who feels great interest in the
success or defeat of their respective party
to write without showing prejudice. We
all are liable to believe that and only that
which suits us, and to Judge too hastily. 1t
is my intention to only write facts, gathered
from both sides and their opinons as to how
Florida will span out"
The first gentleman talked with upon
this subject was Judge J. 7. Bernard, Of
Tallahassee, Fla, on his way from the
Centennial to his home.
Mr.. B. being very honorable and high
toned gentleman, he was very guarded as
10 what he said in this matter, this much
he said without any hesitation: III hon.
estly believe Florida is Democratic to a
greater extent than the present returns can
show He don't think that the Board Of
Canvass will take the responsibility to count
it otherwise. Mr.. W. Arthur Cooke is a
we'll posted man in the doings Of the oppo-
site party and will not allow any nonsense
He speaks Of Mr.. ". Clayton Cowgirl for
merly of Dover, Del, and now one of the
Board as gentleman who heretofore has
stood high with the people of both political
parties Of Florida and hardly thinks he can
be made tool in the hands of Stearns L
Co.
The next gentleman encountered was a
Mr.. Keen of this town, a defeated candi-
date Of the Republican party, as member
ofthe State Legislature of this (Columbia)
county l asked him if he layed his defeat
to fraud or intimidation on the part of Dem
ocrats? His answer was quick and to the
point. "No Sir, not by any means, I can
only lay tito one cause, that is did not get
enough votes"
This gentleman thinks that the State will
go for Hayes and Wheeler by 800 or 400 that
is he feels as 1t would. Mr.. Keen informed
me that he asliyed in this country over
forty years and in all of this time has never
seen such sober, quiet and peaceable
election. For two or three days by the So
licitatiOn Of the Democrat party of this
town, the Bars and Drinking Saloons closed
up their places of business. Several gen
tlemen informed me that there was but one
drunken man white or black seen on the
streets On election day. But two arrests were
made that day, and they, were two negroes
arrested for trying to repeat. By order OF
the Republican officials all Of the Polls in
the county Cour in alb were consolidated
into this town, thereby giving the planters
all the trouble possible to vote, some Of
them coming distance OF forty miles, CON-
pelling them to make two trips, first to
register, abou; week before the election,
and again on election uay, making some OF
them travel 160 miles to use their fran
chise, but they came never-the less, and
came to man, without complaint.
called on Dr.. Holt, a gentlem man origi-
rally from New York but who has lived
here several years, and strong Republi
can, but voted the Democratic ticket and
did all be could for the party. He says
that there are 1856 white Republicans in this
county and but three of them voted the
Republican ticket this las. election, and he
makes the following remarks. "Thert
were not 800 white men outside Of the office
holders in the State, and the Cuban cigar
makers Of Key West (who usually vote tho
Republican ticket who voted the Republi-
can ticket this last election and he unhesi
tatngly says lie knows the above to be q
fact This gentleman don't claim to be 9
Democrat but a Republican and continues
as such. In this case it was honesty against
dishonesty. Honorable gentleman aeainsi
ignorant negroes and worse white men, and
as he spoke with 1cellDg. II tell you sir
my real estate and in fact my all depend
ed on the defeat or success of the corps o.
teachers"
Twill say this for the people of Florida
they have elected their ticket fairly anG
honestly. They now call upon the north tc
help them to get their rights They ask
this Of the party in power respectfully. Fol
what belongs to them they will make al
necessary appeals through the counts ant
other official sources, but the responsibility
of the graf consequences will fall upoI
those who suck the very life and blood O
liberty from them, putting them in wors,
condition than their former slaves ever wer,
aS these rpoulp are slaves and ara tax.I