New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-13
Badly TrippeA Up.

Central Committee, in reference to the ''Re-
publican Councils of Freedom" 1t an
them to be - mysterious society"
they have been in progress over
the State for twelve months, and although
the proceedings of the Central Committee
their organization were published
during the months of September and o.
tober last in the Times itself, and with edi-
torial comments, as we'll as in, this journal.
Our neighbor's article was evidently writ
ten in view of the Lafayette square meet
ing. But Mr.. Hill came at once to time
and submitted reply, the latter part of
which the Times unfairly omitted to pub
lish, but which now appears in full. 1t will
doubtless think twice before it again seeks
OF Mr.. Hill:
New ORLEANS, August II, 1876.
To the Editor of the Times:
SIR-In your issue of last evening sp-
pears an editorial in reference to the Re-
publican Councils of Freedom. They are
stated by you to be - mysterious society
that has been discovered in existence
among the negroes in various parts Of the
State" As the article imports . misgiving
that the Republican purpose IL Ito resort
to intimidation and Violence" demands the
reason of their creation, and addresses me
q personal inquiry as to the objects Of the
organization, I have to state; First, the
Council" does not constitute - secret 90
ciety," as you a]lege. Reference to
the proceedings of tho Republican State
Central Committee, officially got forth in the
New Orleans REPUBLICAN, Of the twenty.
sixth of August, 1875. will show that said
committee agreed upon the following de-
claration of principles to perfect the party
organization throughout the State, and in
vited all citizens who may wish to sub
scribe thereto to become members of . Re
publican Council Of Freedom, to be organ
lied and constituted under the direction Of
the Republican cOmmitto Of the parish
within which such council may be-" Then
followed the declaration Of principles, .
ing the year the declaration has often ap-
peared in the. Same newspaper and thou
sands of copies have been sent broadcast
over the State. In still further evidence
that the society 10 anything but ''mysteri-
ous," there appeared in the same issue of
the New Orleans REPUBLICAN IN editorial
ON it's first page, the caption whereof was
Republican Councils Of Freedom" The
article remarks: Supplemental to the pres
emu party mSCuAuoEy Va WSEV anu PaEasA
organizations there will be auxiliary bodies
in minor localities, to be known as Repub-
lican Councils of Freedom. The rural
ward is often 90 large in extent that diff
culties have at times embarrassed its club
in maintaining thorough roster Of Repub-
licsn citizens; but where each neighb0r-
hood, even though meagre in population,
may crystalize into definite partisan form
as an active and subordinate force of the
ward club, and may be possessed of party
authority thoroughly to superintend its
only will wholesome esprit be quick
ened and condensed in the vicinage,
but Q valuable reinforcement in ener-
~ and numbers will be afforded the
club of the ward, all members of councils
within which become thereby members Of
the club" The article further proceeds to
show how every Republican in the parish,
even the fag-end and remote voters, are
gathered into one solid whole, and how each
parish committee is put in thorough corre-
spondence with all parts OF its jurisdiction
lence, etc. l am little surprised ct being
called upon to furnish to an editor as news
what has been continuously before the eyes
of the people Of Louisiana for an entire
year, but take pleasure in submitting the
declaration of principles on which the cOun-
ellis were organized, and Thousands Of copies
of which have been mailed to Republicans
and old Wings over the State, and which
was repeatedly published in the journal
named, and during the months of Septem-
Der and October Last in your own columns.
TO stimulate the organisation of the coun-
ellis, and excite Q wholesome ambition to
multiply them in localities, commissions
were dispatched to the parish committees
in blank, save - to my signature - score
tary, to be delivered by said committees to
such persons - members of the c0uncils
should themselves select - their officers.
l have in this connection to furnish you
copy of the constitution prescrib-
ing the method Of organization. And
this Is all 4as asr: Ct the nson ss ss
State want to know" Why these coun-
ellis were created4 A majority of the peo-
pie have for year known all about it, and
the knowledge has not been confined to
Republicans. Thousands of Conservatives
have had the papers in relation thereto
mailed to them, and am happy to say that
many have heartily responded with an ap-
proval of the project. Permit me, in CON-
clusion, to inquire whether, after years
trial, it has not vindicated ito entirely pa
cific character The Union Rights Stop"
to which you advert, has NO connection
with it, and save in the Democratic brain
has probably no existence Whatever.
At all events, Ispeak of the organization
whose details, progress, extent and snimus
l know thoroughly.
Mr.. Hill then proceeds to say what the
Times omits, and pronounces certain po-
litical arguments relative to the Demo
era asic- Conservative manner of conducting
the canvass, which are not pertinent" Let
Us see:
And would also inquire, with respect,
how it is that you are so ready to pronounce
upon an organization of which you know
nothing, and yet in your repr0bati0n of
intimidation and violence" have, in COM
mon with the other New Orleans prints,
save the Picayu,ae, avoided all reference to
the confidential" Patton circular, which is
a conspicuously inoendiary document Had
Republicans been directed to organ
mD,:ss ssd .s ,0'sss enemy on sss
of your united strength" to police
the Opposition meetings, "take notes Of any
threats, "prepare affidavits in advance that
there had been NO intimidation ct the
polls;" had Republicans been told you
can not convince Democratic reason, but
you can impress him BY positive statements
continually repested;" and that 'we have
the means of carrying the election and In
tend to use them" had Republican ut.
terance been given to such truculent ex.
vressions, wou6 you mot have denounced
themi II would, / confess, have been your
duty 90 to do. Pray, Why have you moi
directed your fire ct the Patton circular,
from which have quoted and which ap
peared in full in the REPUBLICAN, Of the
fifth instant.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
CHARLES HILL.
This was rather . searching catechism
and the Times man concluded that he dii
not want quite ~ much Of Mr.. Hill - h