Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-06-19
Weber, the Dead witness.

ID. A. Weber, whose name the doubly-
perjured Anderson has so prominently con-
nected with the forged agreement, was the
supervisor of West Feiciana parish, Louis
lana. A system of most brutal terrorism
had been established by the democratic
bull-dozers in the parish In order to break
down the Republican majority After
with the returns, which he delivered to the
returning board without any protest or
affidavit in regard to the legality of the
bull-dozed election, frankly admitting that
he was afraid his life was in danger If he
should state under oath the intimidation
the democrats had practced. At the pre-
vious election in 1874 the result was as fol-
lows, according TO the democratic count Re
publican, 1850; democratic, SOL. But at
this election in 1876 the returns were Re
publican, IT'S; democratic, 1,24S. The reg
istration of votes of 1876 was, whites 400,
colored 2,2l3. The result of the vote as COM
pared with the preceding election and with
the obvious politics of the parish demon
strates conclusively that the bull-dozers had
got in their work that they had stuffed in
seven hundred and fifty more democratic
tickets than there were democratic voters,
and had driven away fifteen hundred col
ored Republicans and prevented them from
voting Weber saw and knew all this, but,
to save his life, remained silent at first.
Upon the assurance of personal protection
he made and filed the protest required by
law, and on the strength of that affidavit
the returning board threw out the precincts
where the most frauds and bull-dozing had
been done. He owned little property in
the parish, and had his family there. He
remained in New Orleans a few weeks, and
then ventured to return to his home--a rash
and fatal step on his part, as the event
proved, for he was soon murdered in open day.
On the second day after his return to his
home, he wrote the following letter to Sena-
tor Mcmillan, of Minnesota, whose acquaint-
ance he made in New Orleans:
Ny Dear Mr. Senator IL see by the Associated
Press dispatches that President Grant will not
recognize Governor Packard 1t is even asserted
that President-elect Hayes is committed to such
line of policy. II this should prove true IT, after
our services to the nation, we are to be left in the
hands of Nichols and his murderers you, Mr. SEN
ator, who have had the opportunity to judge our
cause, will understand how soon the murderers
will begin their work 1t would be but a few days
work to wipe out OF existence every white Repub-
lican, and with our downfall comes that OF the in
nocent negro, whose vote saved the nation. |
appeal to you, Mr.. Senator not as a Republican,
but as friend Of justice, to do battle for those
who are poweress. Our lives, our property and
the security of our families depend upon you and
those Of your confreres in the Senate who under
stand our position. Since my return from New
Orleans and my attendance upon your committees,
have been at home, cooped up in the house,
unable to appear upon the streets without incur
ring danger If ! were alone, without wife or
children, or property, could easily adapt myself
to the present condition of affairs. But cannot
desert my all, even II staying should cost me my
life Hoping you will pardon the liberty | am
taking in addressing you, remain, very respect
fully yours ID. A. WEBER
The next day he ventured out and as he
was walking past the court house he was
fred upon from the windows of that build |
ing and instantly killed.
The charge against John Sherman is that
he is alleged to have promised Weber some
protection and support if he performed his
duty in making affidavit of fraud in the
West Felcana election. As an exchange
says " Suppose he did promise Weber pro-
lection, what then He had right to sup
pose that Weber would be protected in the
performance of duty devolved on him by
law, and it would have been perfectly nat
ural to say to him that he should be both
protected and provided for. Any Repub-
lican with soul in him as big as a mustard
seed would have said the same thing, and
put it in writing too, Il necessary. If Sher-
man did what he is charged with doing, he
did right, and every Republican will honor
him for it,"