The true northerner., 1876-11-24

of Representatives question upon the
discussion of which we deem it no part OF our
duty 70 enter.
In conclusion. permit us 10 say thai, not
withstandipg your refusal e. corporate, wo
still cherish the hope lat the Returning Board,
warned by the history OF tho past, and con-
scous that its actions ARE being observed by
the whole nation, will discharge its delicate
duty with such circurnspection, fairness, and
impar islity ~ will give satisfaction to the
An'er.can PEOPLE: To this end We shall con-
hnu' TO labor. Shoulp different result follow
thu action of the board, VIC shall have the sat
i,tuciiou of knowing that, while you have taken
the re~-po. lsDility of declining to act with US,
we hrvc done all in cur power TO avert the
coDHo oqnences which may follow. Very respect
fuly,
John NJ. Palmer, Lyman Trumbni,, william Il.
Morrison Illinois samuei J. Eanda1. A q. Cur.
tin. William Bigler. Pennryiv.Dia: j. Il. Doolitte,
George Is. Su.ith, Wisconsin; j ~. hoDonsld, Geo.
W. Julian, N. ID. Manson, John Love. Indiana;
Henry wstterson, j. w. Stevenson, Henry H. Nc
Henry, Kentucky; Oswald ottendorfer New York
j. b. sail Ohio; L.wIs V. Tsogy, James o. Broad
head @. Gibson. ssour John Lee Carroll Will
lam T. Hamilton. Maryland; w. q. Sumner, Con-
necticut; r. IL. Watson, Ohio; J. II. Caadert, New
York.
THE CONCLUSION.
The following ia the reply Of the Republi-
cans to the letter Of the visiting Democrats:
New ORLEANS. Nov. 1S.
To the Hons. ]. NJ Palmer, Lyman irumbul w.
II. D.. a. II.
| VIM. Biger. J. H. Doolithe, George b. Smith, j.
Il. Mcdonald, George W. Julisn, NJ. ID. Manson,
John Love, Henry watterson, J. W. Stevenson,
Henry d. McIIonry, Oswald Ottendorfer, j. B.
stallo, Il. V. Bogy, James o. Broadhead, c.
Gibson, John Lse Carroll W. It. Hamilton, w. q.
Sumner, p. II. Watson, +. X. coudert:
GENTLEMEN: We are gratihed to learn tha
we have misapprehended the language and
spirit Of your communication OF Nov. IA,
inst, and that We were in error IN attributng
TO you purpose to interfere with the legally
constituted authorities OF this State in the dis
charge OF their duties. Perhaps this misappre-
hension WAS the natural result Of the language
employ e1. Your request was to meet aud con-
| fer with you then personally or through COM
mittees in order that such influence as We pos
| sess may be exerted in behalf of such a canvass
OK the votes actually cast as by its fairness and
impartiality shall command the respect and ac
quiescence Of tho American people. This, as
we understood 1t, was request to cooperate
with you for the purpose Of influencing the
action OF the Returning Board ia the discharge
of its duties. The President had requested us
to attend here to witness n to influence
such canvass and such request by him Was not
intended to limit ns to witness the count Of the
votes actually cast, but the entire proceedings
OF tho hoard in reaching a resnit as to the
! votes legally cast to be counted. We are graf
flied to learn that you concur with the President
and with us in this understanding. You also
state that you are fully aware that both the or
isteiial, OF the Returning Board Of Louieiana
we're beyond any authoritative control from
without, and that it would be the height OF
arrogance and folly to attempt to alter the
customs OF State OF which we are not
| citizens, or to obtrude our Interpretation OF
the laws upon those whose duty it is to admin
lister them. Wo may. therefore, as We think.
| assume that you will agree with us that II would
be arrogance equally to attempt by our concert
ed action to influence the proceedings or result
| OF courts OF justice, or OF boards acting judi
cially, and hence we are gratified at being able
from the language and tenor Of your letter to
assume that You did not wish to confer with us.
for the purpose OF influencing the action OF the
Returning Board but only ~ secure such CO.
operation Oh our part would enable us joint
ly with yourselves to witness the proceedings
throughout conference for such purpose
would now seem to be- unnecessary as we lealn
from communication just received from the
board, which appears to us to accomplish
that which by your explanatory note
you desire to attain by the proposed
conference. We will add that it is very
apparent that il your wish is to see fair and
honest expression OF the electoral vote of
Louisiana there is no difference between our
selves and you, except as to our conduct
in reference to that result. You have
proposed conference and active asso-
ciated influence. This we regard as beyond
our duty or our privilege individuals. We
shall be happy at all times to confer with you.
and, as individuals, to cooperate in whatever
shall be right. but concerted action for the
purpose of influencing an official bosrd we hold
to be- beyond our privilegeS, and We shall hope
that all may come to pass which good citizens
can wish without the use OF any such means.
We remain gentlemen, very respectfully.
John sherman, Stanley Matthews, J. A. Garfield,
Ohio; Il. W. Stoughton, ]. Van Allen, New York;
| w. ID. Kelley, Pennsylvania; Job j.. Stevenson,
Ohio Eugene Hale, Maine; J. NJ: Tuttle, J. W.
Chapman, wm. X. Smith, w. A. McGrew. Iowa
Sidney Clark, J. G. Wilson, Kansas o. b. Farweli,
| Abnsr Taylor, j. NJ. Beardsley, s. r. Haven, ILL
| nois; John Coburn, Will Cumback, Indiana; j.
| Irving Ditty, MARYLAND.