New-York tribune., 1876-12-16

the majority of them VIII be found to have no more
connection with politics than the lynching OF a
bOrse-thef in Indiana But when the lion OF lynch
law has once been aroused il is not easy TO check
him in his mad career Ii is admitted by the Demo
Gratis that the regulators did not always coniine
their visits to thieves and dangerous characters in
the community, bat that the organization was sonc-
times used o ayenge the private wrongs of its neln-
bers and think il win also he proved that in some
eases politics was tho melting cause Of midnight
visits Even if this was not so staple request by
a white nan, when TO threat was made would no
doubt have all the effect of Inenacing language. IL
is very easy TO see how this would be in COM
munrty so disorganized us certain districts in
Louisiana are admitted to have been. For instance,
q white man asks joe one OF his coloTed field hands,
TO join a Democratic club Joe, knowing that If he
does he will be ostracized by the people of his
color, turned out of the church, perhaps disowned
by his wife. refuses TO do well" replies the
white man, "you may do as you please, but If you
vote the Radical ticket you viii have TO take care
of yourself / cart take care of any Niger who
goes against my interests" Now, no threat has
been uttered in this case yet it is very likely that
visions of midnight visits from bulldozers will rise
in the mind of the negro and determine his action
while perhaps, the white man has no Thought OF
molesting him. i have no doubt that there were
hundreds of cases of intimidation of this kind-acts
which in themselves were entirely innocent, and
which in peaeeable community would have been
wholly without effect, but which in the bulldozcd
parishes Of Louisiana did affect the vote.
The Democratic majority in the five parishes of
East and West Feliciaaa, Ouachita, East Baton
Rouge, and MorehOuse, as returned this year, was
about $500; the same parishes gave the Repubii-
cans about the same majority two years ago; that
the change Of majority them alone was just about
sufficient to account for the Democratic majority
which appeared on the face of the returns Was
this change entirely effected by the means of which
have been speakings j think not The evidence
that the white people in several of the parishes
made special effort TO draw the negro vote to tho
Democratic party just conclusive as that OF IN
timidation. Two years ago the :" white line poncy,
was the distinguishing feature of the canvass; this
year il was everywhere formally abandoned. Two
years ago the negroes were repeled and given to u-
derstand that their alliance was not wanted, and
that they need expect no political recognition II the
Democrats succeeded; this year they were welcomed
to the Democratic clubs, on an equal footing with
white members, and barbecues and entertainments
were prepared for their benefit. Every effort was
also made to make those who joined feel secure;
each one cot showing which not only secured
him from molestation by white people, but insured
been accustomed to enjoy. Whatever the coloSd
people priced highest was most freely promised
them They want schools, but through the incf1i-
cheney or dishonesty Of the Republican parish Of
fcials much Of the school fund has been lest or
stolen. The Democrats promised more school money
and longer terms. They promised better wages
better prices for the crops and cheaper meat ana
cOrn and they promised TO protect and defend all
the political and social rights which the coloed
people now eEjoy. Arguments like these had their
effect, and won many votes.
Some of the Republicans from the North, who
during their stay here made the most thorough in
vestigation which their opportunities allowed, ad-
mitted in private conversation they msS have done
il in their report to the President, which have not
vet secnl that negro votes were gained by the
Democrats through legitimate means, but they also
held that intimidation having been proved, that
vitiated the whole election in the locality where il
occurred. One Of them Illustrated his position by
quoting the familiar rule Of law that if person
wlfully mixes his property with that of another in
such a way that it cannot be distinguished, the
latter may claim the whole; so he said when PARTY
taints its honest vote with fraud that the honest
part cannot be distinguished from the dishonest
part then that party can rghtfuly claim the benefit
OF none of il.
Another question which ia 10 arise in the fu-
ture discussion Of the Louisiana question is the rela
tive responsibility of the two political parties for the
condition of affairs which has existed in the budOzcd
parishes during the past year. The bulldOzers
themselves have uHquestionably been Democrats in
most instances | say in most instances, because
believe that there have been feW.eases III which
Democratic coloTed men have been bulldozed by
Republicans of their color. But the white pe0-
plc saw that the organization of regulators became
81. I'll, gff fI,a
uept 10 afford protection either to life property,
and esnceiaIly to the latter. This is undoubtedly
true. Il is not necessary that should describe the
Government or want of government OF this State
for the last four years. 1t is fatally defective and
un-American in at least one particular the power
procoels from the Executive and not from the peo-
nile and when the Executive holds his place against
the will and consent of the people and besides lacks
the ability TO make his will respected, his local rep
reseutatiyes i'm the parishes worse than power
less But there has been too often want OF dis
position to enforce wholesome laws. In no state
have pa1dons been cheap or as frequent as horc.
Mr.. Nordhof, in his book on the South written
two years ago, gave some very striking details Oh
the number of paTdons granted by Gov Kellogg,
and believe the policy has not been changed since
that time. Tie Democrats tell n story, the truth
of which will not v9uch for, or a politician tIled
for some crime, mur0cr, believe, VINO, wheh the
iudge pronounced sentence, walked up TO the bench
and handed mp his pardon, which had been pre-
pared in advance Tho most natural result OF
such state Of affairs as thls Is
that the people will take the law
into their own hands and anarchy follows Inns ID
last what happened in the buildozed parishes Ihe
courts utterly failed to punish crime and the parish
officers 60 arrest criminals and the regulators in
,omc cases drove out the judges and the parish Off
GERS. IL was then the duty of Gov Kellogg to take
-. 10 rn-Lo.n naanr and il he could not do it