New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-13
Communicated
A Protest from Senator Whitney.
ST. JOSEPH, La, August 8, 1876.

A Protest frem Senator Whitney.
ST. JOSEPH, La, August 8, 1876.
EDITOR REPUBLICANS:
In your issue of the fifth instant, under
the head of political Notes." fiad the
following:
ave have information from Tensas par
ish that q rifle club is being formed in
each ward, and all the white men are
brought mp to the clubs and made to join
them
"For . white man to refuse to join these
Democratic organizations in either parish is
to incur social Ostracism, if not personal
contumely. Fair play, as against Repub-
licans, is not thought Of, and conservative,
peace-loving citizens are coerced into q
seeming acquiescence in the violent schemes
of the bloody minded White Liners. In
these parishes the Democratic managers
are evidently determined to have quiet
election, in accordance with the Baton
Rouge pledges, even if not single Repub-
lcan ballot be cast. How long, o, Lord!
how longv"
Which, tor downright falsifying, beats
anything ever saw. I don't believe that
YOU would permit such items to appear in
your paper without having received infor-
nation which you thought would warrant
their publication. That the REPUBLICAN,
Is we'll a. all political papers, are imposed
upon by such (unreliable) information, for
political purposes, is not matter of much
surprise; but that you should be selected
to give official recognition by the publica-
licaus here Q matter of sincere regret. The
only truth contained in your information
from Tensas" is a. to the existence of 1.-TWO
only "ride clubs" in this parish. One is
organized at St. Joseph and the other
sixteen miles above on Lake st. Joseph, to
both of which Republicans do or have be-
longed. No one is made to join these clubs;
on the contrary, they are inclined to be a
little choice a to who they admit, as is
shown by the fact that one black ball re-
iects an applicant. the initiation fee is IS,
and the estimated cost of the rifle, about
$35, must be satisfactorily provided for
/ am acquainted with all the members Of
the St. Joseph Club, and with many Of those
of the Lake st. Joseph organization, and q
more honorable and law-abiding set of men
can not be found in any State of this Union
and it would be NO more of miracle fol
the Jews to embrace the Christian religion
than for these clubs to assume even the
character Of Regulators, Ku-Klux. bull
dozers or soarecrOws.
The fact that Republicans belong to these
organizations is sufficient to prove theil
non-partisan character, and should be 9
guarantee Of security to the most timid.
There is and has been for years friendly
and social feeling existing here between al
classes, and it is q matter Of regret with all
that such articles should appear in paper
which has for its aim. truth; and for its OBJ
ject. justice to all.
A little political bunc0mbe won't hurt.
but when it comes to dow nright prevarica-
ton, no man or party can survive 1t. Ii
creates distrust and disgust, which IN the
end doatrOva marty nAtriOtiem.
We propose here to have quiet and or.
derby campaign, nominate and elect good
men, and give the Republican national and
State ticket $500 or 5000 majority.
You shall have reliable Information Of
anything that may occur in Tensas during
this campaign that is not in accordance
with law, Justice and fair play, 80 in the
future please consign to the wind or flame
all such trash as that "inf0rmati0n from
Teusas' herein referred to.
am aware that there are in this State
ORGANIZATIONS known - bulld0zars and
Regulators, and that their aim is mo-
"laudable or praiseworthy," but such have
no existence in Tensae, and to create then
by Republican press is unkind TO say thu
least. To rob . man or . community O
their good name is no less wrong than tn
crimes committed by these organizations.
BY giving this . place in your column O.
Political Notes" you will do an act of jus
tice to . law-abiding people, both Repub
ican and Democrat, and much obli9e yours
Respectfully, E. L. WHITNEY,
Senator, Sixteenth District.
EtormA aava In hia Knr>m. HT uAvnp Ap;nh