Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-11-18
From the Chicago Tribune.
Down Brakes.

DOWH DTdktss
Il is an extraordinary phenomenon. the
rush ofex-Confederate Generals and dem
ocratic managing politicians TO New Or
leans to see that there be fair canvass
of the vote of Louisiana. Can anybody
recall when before any of these gentry
were so concerned about fair count that
they were ready to carpet-bag from home
and friends and business to see that it was
hadP When Alabama was carried by
shameless repeating, as is yet openly
boosted by the White-Liners of Montgom-
cry and Mobile, and the lawful majority
was so overriden, not a confederate nor
democrat was there in the land who car
pet-bagged to Alabama to see that there
be fair canvass of the lawful vote.
When, by the shotgun policy, reinforced
by the ."'moral effects" Of the Vicksburg
and Yazoo massacres, majority of not
less than $4,000 was overpowered In Miss
issippi, where it has still been kept in SUBJ
lection by intimidation and terrorism, not
one of these democrats who have now
posted to New Orleans betrayed the
slightest solicitude for the maintenance of
the integrity OF the ballot. And not a
word were they heard to utter about fair
elections when Arkansas and Georgia
were in like fashion revolutionized.
Whence their intense solicitude ON that
score now ? How are they going to see
to it that there is fair countP Louisiana
has regularly-organzed State Govern
ment, recognized by the United States
and by the people of the State, and dis
charging all its constitutional functions.
The implication is that the Administra-
tion in that State is not to be trusted.
What do the ex Confederates and
democrats who are descending up
on New Orleans propose to do about it ?
How are they going to coerce the State
Administration into making and declaring
a fair canvassP And if they are to be
set over the State officers to keep them
from making false returns, who is to be
set to watch the democratic carpet-bag
guardians of the purity of the ballot and
inspectors of election They have no
legal or moral right to NEEDLE in the mat
ter, and. if they do, it will be hardly an
open question whether Gov. Kellogg
would not be warranted in causing their
arrest as conspirators and disturbers of
the peace.
They fume about the legality of the
State Government of Louisiana. Bat can
these carpet-bag democrats show warrant
for themselves setting up any other State
Administration, or for exercising any con,
straint or intimidation. even "moral," over
the Louisiana Administration, which both
Houses OF Congress, all departments OF
the Government, and the people of Louis
lana themselves, recognize? Why, then,
this gathering OF mob of democratic
politicians and Oonfederales at New Orlea-
ansp
But If the gentry composing that gath
ering are SO representative as to the reg
ularity of State Government in the South,
why is it that they have no qualms as to
the regularity of the present State Admin
istration OF Mississippi, which is such by
virtue of shot-guns solely2
The only issue involved in the Lou
isiana canvass is whether there was
fair. legal election in certain par
ishes. 1t is the business OF the Board
of Canyassers 10 determine that up
on the law and the facts, and the
democratic mob assembling at New Or.
leans have no right to NEEDLE with it.
The country wants fair count, and a fair
report OF the count. These people are not
those to take part in either. Their pres
ence at New Orleans is simply mischiev-
Gus, and cannot be regarded as other than
species Of covert intimidation designed
to oyeiawe tie Canvassing Board.