The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-09-13

i"i t' ihS, 's>''AiV, VIE AioSo N"S!C'oGS
or the most respectable class, have
established, unrebuked by you, in
some Of the parishes of the State,
where black men are nightly whipped
and shot at, or even killed; where
they are prevented frora holding
political meetings, and are deprived
Of sill freedom of political sctjon."
With the same frankness dis
played by you, I say, that no sucA
condition Of things exists in any
portion Of this State as portrayed ia
the above quoted paragraph o. your
letter.
These are grave charges to bring
against a civilized people. II they
are true, as [ believe in my soul they
are not, it is incumbent upon you 70
produce such evidence as will satisfy
the mind of reasonable and impar-
tial jury, in order that the majesty
of the law may be vindicated and che
guilty parties brought to swift and
merited justice. Il they are not
true, you have grossly slandered IN
innocent people. If they are true,
IL shows that the government which
has been established over shis Deo-
pie by fraud, violence and til 9
prostitution Of his powers by q
United States Judge, is beneath
contempt.
If this statement be true, you con-
TESS that your party is uufG and I'm
worthy to control the destinics OF &
State. You have had for eight years
entire control Of the executive, legis-
lative and judicial departments Of
the State government, backed by the
almost constant presence Of the Uni
ted States troops, ready upon the
most frivolous pretext to lend CHER
moral support, or to render material
aid in carrying out the will Of She
government; you have had State
militia and the brigade Of the Metro
politan police, fully armed and
equipped, 20 carry ouo the processes
of your courts, and you claim. to
have, in Jour party, q large majority
OF the voting population Of the
State, and vet you confess chat you
are so weak shat the reins OF gov
ernmehU have fallen rom your fee
BILE hands, and 5has you are incom-
petent 10 protect the lives Of the
: people, and to secure 20 them che
enjoyment Of their liberties and their
rights. It is strange confession Of
facS, so long patenG &c She entire
country, shat the Republican party
Of this State is unfit and incapable to
govern free people.
Z have yeceiveo information ron
the country Ihae intimidation has
been practiced by your party against
shose eoloreG people who have
Ghoughe proper 70 join Democratic
, clubs, and in several cases which
have been reparted 20 me, such par
ties have been pursued Co death.
lido NOT DEN
thas criminal acts have beer com
mitted in this State, as thev have
been in ali other States, by baG men
Of both parties animated by wicked
passions. But I do moss emphatic.
ally deny the Democratic party is
responsible for che individual acts Of
wicked or misguided men, or chat
, such actions form any part ola ':sys
tenn established by the Democratic
. party. II you can convince me that
q any such acts, as you ellege are o.
nightly occurrence, have been yerpe
trated by members of the Democrat
ic party, ! will rebuka chem with
, all the power at my command as AT
) individual, or as President Of She
Democratic Conservative Stats Gen
trail Committee, and aid, to the pes
a Of my ability, to bring Shen to sur
and eondign punishment.
y The members Of Che State Contra
!. Committee Of the Democratic-Cor
sentative party, have nc desire jha
the eolored people should be intimi
q dated OF tergorized: aog dc 5nef
1 countenance acts of violence agains
f The members Of your party: white 0
S black. II is sheir firm intention f,
D protect, SO far as lies Ia aheir powei
I all men in the exercise Of tneir pc
d liticaI rights. We know chat In ,
]. fair, free and peaceable election W
$ would carry the State, and Co
r knows shat nc people ever more need
d ed q fair expression Of the popula
n will.
Again you say, Il trust the state