The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-13
INFAMOUS PROSECUTIONS.

A few days ago seven highly respected
citizens Of Tensas parish were arrested by n
United States deputy marshal, brought To this
city, and forced to give hail for their appear
anco before the United States Circuit Court
Two days ago six citizens 81 the parish IF
Natchtoches arrived here IN charge Of
deputy marshal, and were required 10 furnish
bail for their appearance before the same
court. The Federal grand jury just organ
lied or about to be organized, will have
brought before IT,, by white and negro politi-
clans charges Of the gravest character
against numbers Of Democrats IN Caddo. and
from the batch Of witnesses four Of whom
have killed each his man the United States
District Attorney has summoned from that
parish. we presume al the Democrats against
whom The charges inay be made will he in
dlcted.
The prisoners from these parishes are
tho first " that army ~ victims the Repub
lican leaders have determined to persecute
and punish for their Democracy. They are
all men Of character In their respective par
Ishea. being farmers. planters. merchants and
professional men. Or. s. O. soruggs, ono ~
the Natohitoches prisoners. is large planter,
n prominent physician and n professor In the
Medical College Of this city. His companions
IN arrest arc oil farmers as were, we under
stand the prisoners from Tensas. This is
busy time with farmers. and these gentlemen
have been subieeted to great Inconvenience
ana less besides personal discomfort hy the
arbitrary and Iawlpss proceedings " tile
Federal Marshal and District Attorney.
Aud who Is Tho witness on whose affidavit
the Nntrhitnches prisoners have been arrested
and dragged frum their holnes2
Tho Natchltoehes prisoners were arrested
on an affidavit made by n man named Horns
by ono ~ the lowest and most Indecent
mon who over dlagracod Natchitoches parish
ha lives IN open concubinage With negro
woman: no was, " it'll one 81 two negroes. in
str,,nenial In stirring NJ all the strife and
had blood between tho whites and blacks NJ
Nntrhitochcs. who. since the establishment ~
tho Nichols government. had been living In
peace and quiet, and he Is now skulking In
this city, under tho protection Ut the Federal
officials, q fugitive from bis parish where
there Ia n warrant FOR his arrest for an at
tempt to murder one of his neighbors on the
high road. q few weeks ago.
We submit tho question to the country. and
we should like especially for Mr.. Blaine to
answer from his place In the Senate: Is not
the fact that. esteemed. peaceabe and indus
trioua citizens Of Natchtoehes and Iensas
marshes have been arrested. on tho evidence
Of such n iithy wretch. Mt their homes
by United States deputy marshals, aud
brought four or five hundred miles to this
city to ba arrayed before Federal commits
siope,s and courts, a disgrace to the admin
is,ration. a disgrace to the Federal courts
nay. disgrace 30 the whole country
There II a District Court IN Natchitoches.
| preslded over by learned lawyer. distin-
aulshed citizen and an honorable gentleman
The District Attorney Ia n prominent lawyer
and a ylgilant and conscientious official
There are hundreds Of good and true mon In
tho parish white and black. from whom the
grand jurea and the petty juries are drawn
| In the whole Of that judicial district there ls
not ono honest man who would fear to 60 be
rore that court to BIO tried on any charge
There IL not u man In all that district who
doea not know that there full and impartial
Justice would be done him. 50 just and i'm
partial. indeed, Ia that court that Hornsby, the
inciter of riot. tho attempted assassin, the
instigator Of murder and arson. ilees from ita
Jurisdiction 70 the shelter Of the New Orleans
Custom House. and within the granite walls
Of that building, aided no doubt by tho coun-
sells Of Federal minister's of Justice, swears out
m affidavit against venerable and eminent
citizen AMI Younger men, on which they are
dragged hero for trial Mt heavy expense. great
Inconvenience and suffering
II tho object Of these prosecutions justicei
| Then why did not the accusnrs make the
charges against them before tho grand jury
of Natehitoches parishi The object of the
| prosecutions Is not justice. The Federal
courts and machinery arc being proatituted IN
| tho most scandalpus and Infamous manner tc
carry out the scheme of the Republican
party to hunt down and persecute tho Dem
ocraiic voters Of this State and make them
| appear before the country In the character q
| rioters. runans and murderers. Tho name
OF Justice was never go viloly disgraced MS
| when It was applied To these proceedings
| Tho courts or no country havo over been 81
prostitutcd as those Federal tribunals which
| thus prosecute free American citizens for po
litieal purposes. The men engaged In thi'
business ought To be ashamed of themselves
| and we are much mistaken II They will not b.
before they get through with IL.