The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1878-09-12
Louisiana.

In 1875 the male population of Louis
lana, according to the State census, was ::
Whites, 4O4, ,916; colored, $50, ,6l1. Of the
white males thousands were aliens and
non voters, merely residents of the State,
engaged in commercial pursuits under
the treaties with France ceding Louis
lana to the United States. In November
1876, on the day of the Presidential cleo
ton, the registration in the State stood ::
Whites, 1896; colored, lis, $40, showing
a Republican majority on the face of the
register. upon the color line, alone of
22,3l4. 1t is estimated that in the State
there were not less than ten thousand
white Republicans, while not half that
number of colored men voted the Demo
cratic ticket 1t is therefore a moderate
estimate, justified by an overwhelming g
array of facts, developed during the cam
paign, that on election day, with legal
and quiet poll of the entire vote of the
respective parties the Republican major
ity in the State, at the smallest figure,
was 10000 votes.
Consequently, with the Democracy in
Louisiana prior to the election, the great
problem was how to overcome that ma
jjority-how to destroy it and wrest the
State from the lawful control of the ma
jority. Its conquest must be.achieved; i;
the negro must be disfranchised and the
white man rule. Besides, solid South"
had been paid for-bought with barrel
of gold, with the promised payment Of
thousands of millions of fraudulent rebel
claims, and the State must be delivered
as per agreement.
Hence, for months previous to the
election the Democracy devoted them
selves to the violent work of conquest
Their plot was cunningly and deeply laid.
In confidential circular of the Demo
cratic Conservative State Central Com
mittee, at New Orleans, signed by J. w,
Patton, president, and P. j. Sullivan, sec
retary, the organization of clubs was di-
rected in the different parishes. The
circular urged that in conversation no
gloomy forebodings should be INDUCED
in, and that the result of the election
should be spoken of as foregone conclu-
sion, las we have the means of carrying
the election and intend to do so. But be
careful to say and do nothing that can be
construed into a threat or intimidation
of any character" Frequent meetings ot
all these clubs were enjoined. Their
members were instructed to occasionally
assemble at their several places of meet
ing, and to proceed thence on horseback
to the central rendezvous. "Proceedings
of that character would impress the ne
groes with a sense of the united strength
of the Democracy. And it directed thai
on election day, at each polling place
"that there has been no intimidation anC
no disturbance on account of any efforts
by the Democratic Conservative party tt
prevent any one from voting on accoun
of race color, or previous condition o
servitude.
1t was villainous conspiracy and lit
orally pursued to its devilish consequen
ces. Clubs were formed in the parishes
The old murderous White Leaguers reor
ganized as rifle clubs, as knights of tn,
White Camelia.". These, mounted, mask
ed, and armed dragooned the parishe
night and day. and ruled in terror ano
blood, amid assassination and outrage
and violence of every degree and kind
mutilation, manning, and whippings. NJ
age or sex was respected-none was spar
ed The evidence, multiplied in a hund
red shapes, is overwhelming, and is a.
revolving in its terrible details as it i
conclusive in its proof The historical
sanguinary violence of the Franco
Spanish blood"-the sources of Louis
iana's white population-was INDUCED
without restraint The old hellish terror
ism of Marat, Couthon and st. Just, thos
cruel demons of the French revolution o
1898, were revived in Louisiana in all it
frightful horrors. Indeed, throughou
the canvass prior to election day Murde
was king--Intimidation riot as absolut
tyrant.
And what was the result of such al
election2 The determination of that
under the laws of Louisiana, was the dut
of the State canvassing board, bod
invested by law with extraordinary judi
cial powers and absolutely Independent
in its jurisdiction and functions. A ful
board was constituted of five members
A majority constituted quorum, and
was not obligatory, but discretionary
with the majority to fill the vacancy i
the board if any should occur. In tn
following paragraph Senator Sherma
epitomizes it's powers =
The statute organizing the board d.
clares, in substance, that whenever fror
any poll or voting place there shall b
received by the board the statement c
any supervisor of registration or commi
! sioner of election, confirmed by the aft
davits of three or more aitizens, of an
riot, tumult, acts of violence, intimid
ton, armed disturbance, bribery, or COZ