, 1878-06-08
Our Washington letter.
WAsHINsIoN. MAY sd. Is

NASHlN1IoS. -,l.ly -0d, 1913.
Secretary Sherman and minister Moves
are the first of the republican visiting states
men, out OF congresS-there are noue of
them out of Otfice--to recognize the impor-
tance of the inquiry proposed by Mr.. Pot
ters resolution. The secretary has written
letter to the chairman of the Potter com
mittee, asserting his own innocence of any
wrong, asking TO be represented before the
committee, by counsel, and offering TO prove
that there was violence IN some of the Louis
;:na parishes ia the election OF 1876. In
short, the secretary has suggested pro-
grau:-De for the republican members OF the
committee, and We NAV expect them to 1t.
tempt to prove, III mitigation of unqueStion-
ed irands In the action Of the Louisiana re-
turning hoard, Intimidation Of colored voters
1T and prior to election.
Any one who is acquainted, rs the writer
of this letter Is. with the material of Which
the colore6 voting population Is made up.
and knows the tendency Of a considerable
portion of 1t, increasing steadily Slice the
war, To vote with the whites. knows that
nothing but intimidation-ile Intimidation
of blacks by blackS-has KEPT the voters OF
TIE race substantially unanimous IN favor OF
republican candidates, More than five years
ago, and again at his old home IN Maryland
year ago, Fred. Douglass recognized and
Commented On the inevitable tendency OF
the former slave to vote with his o.d master.
1t Is intimidation that Las prevented what
Douglass thought inevitable This Is the
real. eticctual intimidation that haS con-
trolled the politics Of the south Tor years.
Ia proving, If they can, lev acts of vlo-
lence on tie part OF conservative white men
III louisiana, at or before the election of
1876, the republicans will call attention 10 a
slight symptom OF disease on the surface OF
the southern political hoGy. The greater
trouble was not 50 apparent, hut WAS much
more dangerous In this matter Of IutImI-
dation the committee should adopt the see
retarys suggestion if they consider the sub
ject At ali, and be thorough.
No plan of investigation has been decided
upon b. the committee. 1t Is believed,
though, that five of its members viii relnain
here, three 90 to Louisiana and three To
Florida \ report is hoped Tor early III July
Mr. Hayes WAS III consultation on the sub
iect with secretary EvartS secretary Sher-
man and representative Foster, at the house
Of the last named. The other evening.
Senator Bayard yesterday, Iii an elaquent
speech, told a great deal of truth about this
district, and about the responsibility OF It's
present financial condition, and the duty of
the general government connected Herewith
This senator has habit of speaking his con-
victions, whether they lead to popularity or
not. In this matter ! have 10 doubt that
In the near future all Will concede that the
senator was entirely just III placing the re-
sponSihihtv for much of our district debt
upon the federal government, because IN
cared by its officers and for Its heneiit- But
too many senators and representatives lack
the courage of senator Hayard.
Gen b. f. Batter commenced speech
last nieat, which was evidently meant 10
have effect III Massachusetts, and other east
ern states Before finishing, HIS hour ex-
pired, and objection was made to his
continuing. He viii finish the speech at
another time, and send immense numbers OF
il to New EI.gland. 1t treats OF labor, II
nance and other topics which are believed
by some to have more interest than any 9TH
er question to All increasing portion OF the
people Butler is prepared to take adyan-
tacc of any dcfectiOIs from tie two great
parties, and is supposed 70 have vanity enough
to permit hin to expect the highest honorS.
The tenor of debate III the house seems t"
show that any considerable reduction OF the
army will be impossible at this session. But
It's expense viii be lessened. REX.