Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-11-24
The LOUISIANA EeturnIng Board.

We have never defended the course Of the
Louisiana Returning Board, in the State
election Of 1874. We have 10 doubt that
they, b. their action, became party to an
attemp. 10 defeat violence and fraud by lie
gal means. Bat it has never been made
clear that it was corrupt transaction
on their Part, nor does it follow that
because they are the same board they would
repeat the mistake they then made.
As portions Of the Report Of the Iuyesti-
eating Committee Of Congress, made by
William A. Wheeler George f IIoar and
William P Frye, in February, 1875, are
much quoted by the Democratic papers,
nowadays, it may not be amiss to recall what
these gentlemen said Of the character OF the
Board, and the palliation for their course.
After reviewing the facts Of the case, the
committee said
10 view Of these facts, We do not hesitate
to find that the election Of 1874 was neither
full. free, nor far that in large portions Of
the State the usual means Of instructlng and
persuading the people, Of organizing and
conducting a campaign, could not be carried
on hv tie Republicans without danger to
their lives; and that many more voters than
were needed to give the Republican party a
complete victory were prevented from yOt
ing at all, or cjerced into voting the white
man : ticket.
1t was to declare the result of such an
~ B..
New orleans in 1874. In expressing our
dissent fron the view they took Of their own
powers and duties, aud our emphatic disap-
probation Of their proceedings, we desire to
state as emphatically our unwillingness
to do them any injustice, and our full ap-
probation Of all the considerations which
may ten u paliiate their conduct. Several
of them have held high positions. Gov.
Wells, the president, had been large and
wealthy planter before the war, he remain
ed loyal through the rebellion, had been
true to the flag Of his country when driven
to the swamps and hunted with dogs. Such
record entities hun to our warmest symIa-
toy and respect.
The returning board claims that, in til,
proceeding, they acted under the honest
belief that they were right in their construc-
| ton of the law, and that they were giving
effect to the true will Of majority OF the
! people OF Louisiana, and that, in their con
,trlction, they followed the precedent set by
| the Democratic or fusion returning board Of
/ 1872. We believe they did follow such a
| precedent. We have no doubt that they
believed that they were defending the PEG
| pie of LOui>ianl against a fraud on their
constitutional rights. But there is no more
dangerous form Of sell-delusion than that
which induces men in high places of public
trust to violate law TO redress or prevent
what they deem public wrongs.
This speaks of the President of the Board
as entitled to respect. The Chicago Tribune
confirms that opinion 1t says
The crime Of being Northern man or
carpet-5agger does not attach to any of its
members. Its president, ex-GOy. Wells, Is
"a native Of the State and man of wealth
| His father, the Hon. Levi Wells, was
member Of the first constitutional convention
which preceded the State in the Union.
! Gov. Wells was himself a steadfast Union
man during the war, Of the Parsol Brown
low type, and bis life during that period
]
a susceptible to the sensation of fear as is
the statue of Henry Clay on Canal street.
Gen. Thomas c. Anderson Is a native of
Virginia, bat an old resident of Louisiana,
having represented his district, ST. Landry
parish, in the State Senate for twenty-six
consecutive years. lie is by far the most
popular man in his section, and he is one Of
the few men of great wealth in this State
lie has always been Democrat, and ran on
the Democrat ticket for the State Senate at
the present election, but during the last
two or three years has acted with the Re-
politicians IN the Senate.
g. Casanave l. colored man of the
Creole type. He was never a slave, but was
before the war in good circumstances and
enjoyed the resrect Of the community. His
business is that of an undertaken. lie has
never been politician.
Louis NJ. kenner is young colored man
of good character. and nephew to former
United States Senator from this State. The
character of the members of the board JUS
titles the belief that the law will be faith
fully carried ont, without regard TO the de-
sires Of politicians.
The most intelligent and impartial CORES
pondents in New Orleans agree that the
Board has thus tar manifested every disposi-
ton to pursue a perfectly fair and straight
forward course. Yet the Democratic papers
at the North teen with the most abusive |
assaults upon the character of the board, and |
with the most unqualified assertions that
they are going to " count in ~ the Hayes
Electors by fraud. This is evidently in pre-
paration for a deliberate refusal to accept
the legal determination of the points at issue
10 Louisiana, unless that decision shall be in
their favor.