The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-11-17
The Returning Boards.

IS The reader, II he read it at ali, found IN
the law defining the powers OF the LOUISE
ana Returning Board that that Board is
pretty well fortified. The laws with regard
to the returning boards that were made by
The Radical party while in power In the
Cult States are not al exactly like this
Louisiana law, but all agree in the general
purpose OF promoting the power OF the
Radical party and prolonging its existence.
They were all framed with regard to the en-
forcemeNt acts, which were clearly de-
signed to perpetuate the existence and rule
OF the so-called Republican party, with its
bitter and ruthless leaders rioting in public
plumber and in national discord and ruin.
The enforcement laws were ostensibly for
the protection Of the negro. They were
really for the perpetuation OF the Radical
party. Had that party supposed that the
negro vote would be cast for the Democratic
party the negro would not have been en-:
franchised at all, and OF course there would
have been no enforcement acts. Those acts
were to do two things: First, to tlatter the
negro and keep him firmly with the Radical
party; andsecondly, to put it in the power OF
the Radical President to run over and crush
5 the spirit OF the southern people with espoin-
age, arrests. imprisonments, and dragon
AIDES. We all know how more than literally
GRANT has carried out these acts. He has
done things that not even the enforcement
acts can authorize.
Notwithstanding these terrible laws, and
the auxiliary and infamous acts Of the States
passed by the agency OF carpet-baggers and
scalawagS, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi,
and Texas have triumphed over them and
set at defiance all the appliances and vii
lainies sustained so earnestly and unscru-
pulously by the Federal Government. The
whole nation is satisfied that South Caro-
lima, Florida, and Louisiana have followed
the example Of the gallant States which had
freed themselves. But the GRANT Admin
iStration will not let them of rs yet. Deem
ing that there was a condition OF
public sentiment in each Of the three
States which might deter the ras-
cally returning boards from acts OF yillainy
that would defeat the voice OF the people,
the soldiers were sent to supervise the
counting Of votes by the returning boards
and to protect them from "intimldation.'
So said GRANTS orders, which the Radical
partisans style "peace measures" and
which some very considerate and honest
people have been inclined to regard rs de-
signed to promote fair count 1t was a
measure OF force" not pcace--of fraud,
not honesty.
The country waits with an anxiety not
before felt in the land to see what will be
the upshot OF the movements OF the Ad-
ministration and the acts OF the returning
boards. But we fear the final action will
be as much delayed AS time will permit. 1t
is an old trick OF tyranny to break down
popular excitement by delay. Secrecy is
another agent. Things hostile to pub
lie liberty are conducted coycrtly. Tar
diness OF development and reticence tend
1 to the relaxation OF public vigilance, and in
the midst OF popular apathy the blow falls
and the contamination is over before oppo-
:, sition can be afoot.
The people are about to take another les
son in Radical tyranny. Nothing but the
wisest councils and the stoutest public spirit
can defeat the well-matured plans for the
subjugation OF the people.