Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-04-20

fy' 'hey arc very gOou at promises
the only trouble is that they break their
pledges quite as fast as they make them"
Flushing my way through the crowd, and
talking to one and another as | went,
found that the old man only echoed the
opinions of his associates They were all
convinced that Packard's downfall would
DO terrible calamity to them.
INSIDE THE sTATE-nousE
Nearing the entrance about which tho
throng OF white and colorcd men was as
sembled, found that it was strongly bar
ricaded and guarded on each side by armed
negroes. was not allowed to pass until
had been vOuched for by an acquaintance in
the crowd. Then entering the long stone
paved hall, found it filled with white men
and negroes. nearly all in the uniform of
the Metr politan Police, and all armed with
breech-loadinS rifles. In dark court yard
which the building surrounds company of
men were being drilled bv little Irishman,
who gave his orders like an old soldier
Guns were stacked ahout in various places,
boxes OF ammunition lay upon the floor, and
IN every direction was some indication of the
TACT that Packard and his friends knew and
appreciated the power of his White League
opponents. | afterward discovered that
there are $50 men quartered in the State
House. They never leave it, night or day.
They are all warmly attached to tho cause
of GOv. Packard, and they will not lay down
their arms until ordered to do 50 BY him.
Passing the guards without question, | made
my way to the door of the Executive cham
bers. AT this an armed guard was stationed
but he did not attempt to prevent me from
entering. Ouce in the ante room, found
myself surrounded by all. or nearly all,
the well-known Republicans in the State
Seated on table. with a light felt hat on
the back Of his head, was Albert Leonard,
who at one time was the most bitter
Democrat and White League leader in
i" Bloody Caddo." lie is now acting with
Packard, but is supposed to favor the So
called reconciliation policy of President
Hayes. Near him was Judge Hugh j.
Campbell, who was one of the Republican
counsel in the Louisiana case before the
Electoral Commission. lie is one of the
best known lawyers in the State, and freely
expresses the opinion that Packard is legally
as much entitled to the position of Governor
as Mr.. Hayes is to the Presidency. At
was N'tu. huutTSOu. Vi lIlc
Returning Board, pale and careworn, but
brave and resolute as ever lie says nothing
about the Presidents course, being in this
respect very unlike his associate, tho excita-
bic Gov. Wells. That gentleman gives vent
to his feelings upon every possible occasion.
and, as it is perhaps needless to state, no is
not in favor of the compromise policy,
which, in the first place, demands the sur
render Of all claims heretofore made bv
Southern Republicans Scattered about the
room, seated, standing, or lounging against
the walls, were Henry Demas, the we'll
known negro leader from the Point of St.
John the Baptist; Gen. Mcmillan. the lead
ing white man in the Republican Senate
ex-Congressman Morey, who always falls on
his feet, and who holds the position of Ap-
praiser Of Customs in New Orleans, and a
large number of local politicians. Gov.
Packard was not in the room when | first
entered, but after time he came in from his
private office. Strong, stout, and determin-
ed-looking as ever, he is still pale and |
careworn from constant confinement |
within the State House. Unlike Gov.
Chamberlain, he is man of almost gigantic |
proportions. lie lacks that refined feeling |
and quick, nervous sensibilitv which have |
made the Governor Of South Carolina old |
before his time, and apparently he cares as
little for the constant threats Of Democratic |
cut-throats as he did for the White Leage |
Army of the 14th OF September. lie is a |
man Of slow thought and deep conviction, of |
bulldog tenacity, and great will. Chamber
lain knew that his cause was a Just one,
but did not attempt TO maintain il because
he was assured that such an effort could |
only result in the slaughter of his negro
followers. Packsrd's actions will never
be interfered with by considerations of |
this kind. lie cares very little for his
own life, but he cares less for the lives Of |
those about him, and il, after being
abandoned by the President, there is still
one chance in hundred of victory he will |
seek conflict with the Nichols
forces. lie expressed this determination to
me to-day, as he has frequently done upon
former occasions, and strange as it may
seem, considering the odds that are against
him, he seems to think that he would be
in the end. lie states very truly
that the negroes, particularly those in the
cities and larger towns, arc desperate and
ready for any conflict which promises to re-
establish the supremacy of the Republican
party. These men, and small but resolute
body of well-armed whites, are absolutely
inder his control. This force il, of course,
10 match fer the White League, but if
Packard so wills it he can at least compel
'ederal interference by cnacting a terrible
ragedy in the Louisiana State House.