The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1877-02-27

The last number OF Harper's Weekly
contains two remarkable letters to the
editor Of that journal - one from
Louisiana, and another from Kentucky.
The former, after graphic summary
of the deeds Of violence and disorder
by which Republicanism in that State
has been obstructed, adds some expla-
nation OF motter too little understood
at the North.
What is also singular is the perver-
sity of many, who should have pierced
the thin veil OF sophistry, IN ascribing
TO the outbreaks OF the secret league
the character of spontaneous uprising
of legitimate forces Of society, and even
defense OF valued Liberties. The White
League counts upon the HABrruAL PAIR
NESS OR rIMIDIrY OF NORTHERN REPuB-
LIoANs as an assurance OF the triumph
of the policy of violence. Having an
initiated majorities and forced certain
others by intimidation, they sent boldly
and unblushingly before the Returning
Board records which they knew the let
ter of the law would not allow to be
counted, accompanied with threats OF
violence il they should not be counted.
| These fraudulent records array figures
10 give Tilden and Nichols the State
as against fair poll OF the voters. To
back up these records the secret
leagues can furnish evidence in any
quantity of any character desired, with
out n scruple OF conscience, to influence
public opinion outside OF the State.
! You would not think OF approving or
dealing leniently with the July mob
that ruled New York city in defence
of the national draft. Yet every argu'
ment possible 10 array against the mob
applies equally TO the kid-gloved gent.
ry who boldly defy in an unlawful way
the possibility OF success of national
rule in Louisiana, unless national bay
onets shall disperse and hold them In
subsection.
The Kentucky letter. very able
one, by the way-has the following
significant paragraph:
"An act Of violence committed upor
a negro at the South for political end
can not be punished. The perpetratoI
may be arrested; he may be tried be-
fore the courts. But, with few excep
tions, the entire white community o.
Democrats is a solid element to commi
perjury in his behalf aud prove al
alibi. Respectable citizens, whc
would scorn to tell lie concerning an,
personal or business matter, will bold
iy swear 10 falsehood TO screen o fel
lov-Democrat from punishment for in
Jury TO negroes. IL is deemed in tn,
I south political duty. and is justifie,
under some indefnable law Of self dc
fense, in which all Democrats are est
mated as one person. Che Eliz
Pinkston case, 1 have no doubt, afford
an example OF this depravityD This
a sad, an awful, condition OF socia
: morals, and exhibits how debasing wa
! human slavery.
"On the one side, then, are the oath
! OF white persons, on the other are th
, oaths OF negroes. Southern sentimer
dare not permit verdict Of guilty .ur
e der such circumstances. The jury dar
= not convict on negro testimony agsins
white testimony. III they did, the
!, would be subjected to similar trea
! mcnts rs the murdered, or else th
: accused would be rescued by force {
arms. An experience of over thir'
!. years in Kentucky has never shown M
: a case where a whrte man was ever ex
: cuted or ever suffered severe punisl
: ment for numbering negro
n