Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-09

therein had performed their work of violence and
intimidation effectuay which proof discloses
brief summaries of portions of which are hereuu-
to annexed, that where violence and intimidation
were inefficient, manning, mutilaton and whip
ping were resorted to.
Instead of a majority of 5000 or 1000 which the
republicans should have had 10 these parishes up
on fair election, there was actually returned TO
the Returning Board a democratic ma
jority for the parishes of East and West
Feliciana, Morehouse and Ouachita of 1878, and
in East Feliciana, where the registered colored
votes number 2l27, not a,repu bhcan vote for cleo
tors cast In East Baton Rouge, contain
ing 1862 colored registered voters and but 1901
whites, the democrats claim majority of 6l7,
which but for the rejection Of several polls by the
Commissioners and Supervisors of Election wonld
have been returned to the Returning Board AS
votes actually cast.
If to the democ attic majority from the four par +
ishes, as above stated, we add the 6l7 thus claim
ed aud insisted upon before the Returning Board,
democratic majority of 1895 is the result of an
election in five parishes containing 1924 colored
republicans and 1874 white democratic voters the
conclusion that int ndaton and violence alone
could have produced this is almost irresistible
and that sue b influences were employed and were
supplemented by murder when that was thought
necessary, is estabished by the proofs already re-
ferred to.
vote cast in these five parishes in 1874, when no
special motive existed for the use of cruel means
to influence the election. The republican major.
ity therein was then 1919, result so suggestive
OF violence and intimidation was obtained by
means the most terrible and revolving.
BARBARoUs PRACTICES.
Organized clubs of masked armed men formed
and recommended by the Central Democratic
Committee, rode through the country at night
marking their course by the whipping. shooting,
wounding, manning, mutilsting and murder OF
women, children and defenceless men, whose
houses were fofcby entered whilst they slept
and as their inmates fled through fear the rifle,
the knife and the rope were employed to do the ir
honid work.
Crimes like these, testified to by scores of wit
nesses, were the means employed in Louisiana TO
elect a President of the United States, and when
they shall succeed the glories of the republic will
have departed and shame and horror will supplan,
in the hearts of our people that love and veners-
tion with which they have hitherto regarded the
institutions of their country.
The PROOF OF VIOLENCE, ARMED DIsTuRBAN-
CEs AND INTIMIDATION.
In many other parishes is of the same general
character, although more general anu decisive as
to the five parishes particularly referred to. In
others these causes prevailed at particular polling
places, at many of which republican vote was
to a considerable extent. prevented. We hope
to be able to furnish full copies of all the testimo-
ny taken by the Board that the justice Of its
conclusions may be appreciated.
1t is q tribunal from which there can be no ap.
peal, and in view Of the possible consequences Of
Its adjudication We have closely observed its pro-
ceedings, and have carefully weighed the force oil
a large mass of the testimony upon which that ad
Indication has been reached. Members of the
Board, acting under oath, were bound by the law
if conv nced by the testimony that riot, tumults
acts Of violence Or armed disturbance did mater
Tally interfere with the purity and freedom Of
election, at any poll voting place, did mater
tally change the result of the election therest, &c
reject the votes thus cast and exclude them hon
| their tnal return.
Of the effect Of such testimony the Board wa,
| the sole and final judge and if in reaching q con
cluson it exercise good faith and was guided b,
honest desire to do justice, its determination
should be respected even if upon like proof diff
ferent conclusion might have been reached by
other tribunals or persons. To guard tie purity
peaceful exercise of his right to vote, to secure
him against violence, and especially MURDER whel
he attempts to perform this duty, should be the
desire OF all and the aim of every represe uta
tive government
If political success shall be attained BY sucf
violent and terrible means resol ted to il
many parishes in Louisiana. complaint should mo-
be made if the votes thus obtained are denounced
by judicial tribunals and all honest men as illega
and void
(Signed) JOHN SHERMAN, Ohio,
+. w. STOUGIIrON, New York
j. III. VAN ALLEN, New York,
EUGENE HALE, Maine,
j. A. GARFIELD. Ohio,
CORTLAND PARKER, Nj,
W. ID. KELLEY, Pennsylyania
SIDNEY CLARK, Kansas,
j {. WILSON, Kansas.