New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-12-29
RIVER REPoRT-3 P. N.
Above low
40 Rise, Pail, water mark.
Below high water mark Of 1874.


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| We hope no reader has % weaSied Of the
controversy over Louieisna that he fails to
follow the testimony now being taken BE-
New OrloanS. Tho country must form some
judgment upon the Louisiana decision; il i
the turning point of tho presidential ques.
ton; around 1t the discussion will chiefly
centre, and it is important that the iudg.
| ment of the people shall BE- intelligent and
just. The Senate and the House have both
| sent committees to investigate-thel former
the latter the Democrats. The evidence
before them 10 daily reported, and W are
content to rest the, case on these dovolop-
| ments. -. =
No intelligent observer can fail to mark
| the striking difference between the two in
vestigati0ns and their results. The inquiry
prosecuted by the House committee seems
to be aimless and indefinite 1t is directed
to NO particular locality, pursued upon NO
systematic plan and guided by NO clear
THEORY. Tho nearest approach to an intel
ligible purpose thus far indicated il the
attempt to show intimidation by R.pub-
lican freedmen of those Of their own race
who wanted to vote the Democratic ticket
q thing WHICH, if shown, would rather
strengtht n the Repu slicsn case by proving
general disorder and distractions to free
and fair election. But it can not be said
that The Democrats have been successful in
this fort These cases have been isolated.
They have related to individuals, and not
to communities. Nor have they shown
that there was any violent crusade against
blacks who, for any reason, went with the
Democracy Here and there threats were
made; occasionally violence may have fol-
lowed; but, upon the very testimony before
the committee itself, these instances were
infrequent and they were rather affrays
than any general disturbances.
One thing. however, the committee has
succeeded in showing, 90 far a. it has
shown anything, and that 10 that any CO.
ored man who voted the Democratic ticket
did it against the overwhelming sentiment
of bis race and in the face OF the sure
odium of his black associates. That is the
drift Of all the testimony. And yet, in or
der that Louisiana should give An honest
Democratic majority, it was necessary thst
several thousand blacks should vote that
ticket, and We arc asked to believe they
voluntarily did it in spite Of this intense
feeling of their race. 1t 10 incredible! The
Democratic committee has thus far helped
the Republican case
The Senate committee has gone ct the
work in . moro systematic and thorough
maBne,. It has directed its inquiry to
those parishes where the Returning Board
decided that there was not free and fair |
election, and the proof it has already clio
tied lie of the most appalling character.
We hope nobody will fail 70 read that |
which was Published yesterday and that
which follows to day. 1t 10 sickening
tale Of general prescription, atrocious VIC. |
lence, and widespread terrorism. The
evidence thus far taken relates to the |
parish of Ouachita. 1t does not exhibit |
individual cases alone, but shows the gen.
eral state of society; and it conclusively |
demonstrates that in this parish there was |
not free and fair election.
We repeat We are entirely willing to |
rest the case of Louisiana upon the judg- |
rent which fair minded men will pro |
nounce upon the facts as developed before |
these two committees. We only ask that |
Democrats and Republicans allie shall |
read both sides ana decide for themselves.
Albany Journal