Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-12-02
A Voice from Louisiana.

4 friend 10 New York forwarded to US the
following letter which speaks for itself. 1t
was written by one Of the most prominent
bankers in New Orleans in reply to letter OF
enquiry addressed to him by our New York
friend The letter is not the expression OF
politician. but of a venerable and impartial
citizen of New Orleans who has lived in that
city for 81 years and who has been identified
through long and honored lifetime with its
largest business interests. Names are with
held at the request of our New York friend to
whom the letter was addressed:
New ORLEANS, 18th November, 1876.
New York.
DEAR SIR: In reply to your communica-
ton dted 18th instant, asking my views con-
corning the election lately held in this State, |
have the honor of saying that we have given
to the Presidential Electors on the Democratic
ticket majority of 200, aud to the State Of
fcers majority of 1900. These figures are
semi-oflicial, and made up from the duplicate
returns furnished to Democratic Head Quarters
BY the Democratic Commissioners in each pol
ling precinct throughout the State.
The Republican party has had for years the
whole election machinery in their own hands.
The Registration law is of that arbitrary and
partisan character that the Supervisors Can de-
prive citizen Of bis franchise without re-
course. This hos been 30 fully explained in
your own journals that will not tire you with
an explicit statement. Notwithstanding all
these draw backs, 10 which must be added the
presence OF u s. Troops in the parishes,
whose conduct deferred many of the timid ones
from voting, we have firly won the State by
the maiUrities above mentioned. But Tor these
drawbacks the State would have given ma
iority of from Is, 0O0 to 20, 600. Thus the re-
suH has been clear democratic victory. But
we have returning board" and that body
compose ! If four interruptions Republicans, has
the power so do az ii pleases, The ~orEin 20
Of this Board are too well known 30 every read
er Of the history of ,hir poor State to need any
explanation. IL seems now as though IN deh-
ance Of right and Justice that we are again TO
be " counted ont" How they intend 30 over
come ! 500 majority when there has been 40
rio,ing, no intimidation, and no fraud on our
side IL the question now which the Nation is
anxiously awailiDS the answer to. Distin-
guished vieitors from the North and West OF
poth political parties are in our mid4'. The
Democrats here proposed a conference with She
Republicans in she interes, OF fair dealing. -
This has been refused, and our people now un-
ders,and that the presence Of such men As
Stanly Matthews Jno. A. Kasson, w ID. kel-
ley, f. S Noyes and Others, together with the
army under Gen Sherman, is for the purpose
of upholding the Returning Board in some ag-
gressive or affirmative act by which Louisiana
will be declared as having given her vote for
Hayes, when .be contrary il the fact. Against
the fat of this Board there is no appeal Onr
Courts have decided that their t,he Board s.
action is final In few words have indicated
to you our real position, and the dangers which
threaten us 1t now behooves the Nation 10
say whether this Republic is al an end, or
whether Mr. Tildcn is the next President.
Very truly,