Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-06-05
Southern Outrages.

Notwithstanding the statements in dem
OcrAtic papers that all Is peace and that
Justice reignS in the South sine the dem
ocrats obtained exclusive control Of that
section, it remains true that outrages con-
tinue and the perpetrators 20 UNPUBLISHED.
The last outrage reported occurred in
Louisiana. James Laws Of East Feliciana,
a eolored republican, Is the latest victim
Of White League CONSUMPTION. Having
presided at the only republican meeting
held in East Felieiana during the late cam
paign, be became a marked man and was
obliged In consequence 10 abandon his
business and absent himself from home
TO escape the vengeance Of the bulldozers.
Saturday week they found him at home
with his mother, and shot him instantly
dead in her presence. All accounts say
that he was a peaceable, conservative,
law-abiding man, had held influential
positions In the parish and owned property
TO the amount Of $4,000 or $4,000 but
being republican Niger" he was shot
TO death. Governor Nichols promised
when be became Governor that White
League prescription and persecution
should cease in the State. What his
promise was worth let the murder of Laws
answer. All the disorders and outrages
that occurred in the State under republi-
can administration were attributed 10 the
hated rule Of carpet-baggers, but with
Nichols for Governor and Home Rule"
prevailing outrages continue as before.
Will Governor Nichols have the murderer
punished? We shall see.
In the case of the murder Of the CHS
ohm family, nothing yet has been done by
the Governor Of Mississippi TO bring the
murderers 10 justice. They are at large,
and the civil authorities dare not or will
not lay hands upon them to punish them
for their crime. Governor Stone has been
treated to some very plain lectures from
nothern papers as to MS duty in the mat
ter. and told how his failure to take steps
against the aSSassins will operate against
the policy Of Cancellation, but as yet he
has done nothing. Is he unable to en-
force the law because of public sentiment
against such a measure? If so, wherein
Is his administration better as respects the
safety Of human life than was that of
Governor Ames? Wherein Is Home Rule
better for the State than oarpet-bag gov
eminent? Where is the peace that was
to dawn upon the South when the man
agement of its local affairs was left en-
tirely to the democratic party?
We trust that President Hayes will not
be deceived concerning these outrages,
and that the administration will insist up
on the ful6llment Of every pledge for
safety and protection to whites and blacks
made by the South as an inducement to
the President to adopt the policy pursued
toward that section Of our country. If
the Governors of Louisiana and Missis-
sippi have the power to enforce the laws
they are bound TO do it and put an end to
political murders within their respective
States and if they have not the power.
let them say so and invoke the arm of the
government to assist them as Ames and
Packard did. II Is difficult thing for
men who have risen 10 power by murder
and outrage to condemn and hang their
supporters for acts which they themselves