Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-01-31
Southern Democracy and Bulldozing.

WHILE there is no doubt that the in
vestigation now being made at New
Orleans is for party purposes, there is
also no longer room to doubt that DEM
ocrats in that State have committed
acts of violence that should be pun
ished. Governor Nichols, in his mes
sage to the Legislature, asserts that
there were acts of violence in Tensas
and Concordia Parishes, and in other
localities. He congratulates the Legis-
lature on the fact that in almost all
portions of the State the laws have been
observed, and that where violations
have occurred they have been in nearly
all cases punished. We think the
facts he himself gives the public make
it unnecessary for him to offer any con-
gratulations. This journal is a Demo-
cratic journal, but we don't see any
thing to rejoice about. We did all we
could to aid in the election of Governor
Nichols, but we fail to see anything
Democratic in the deeds of violence in
Tensas, Concordia and Ouachita, as we
have heard of them. They are not
sanctioned by law, and they are not
sanctioned by a word, line, sentence or
paragraph in any Democratic platform
we ever read in our lives. They are
not approved by Democratic leaders or
Democratic journals of standing any
where, and we are disappointed that
Governor Nichols is satisfied to offer
this untimely congratulation, coupled
with an admission that the present
Administration of Louisiana is unable
to punish the violators of the law.
His assertion that in "a "few localities
there have occurred during the past
year some of those acts of violence and
lawlessness which in this State, as in
other sections of the country, OCCASION
ally happen, and which, while start
ling and distressing to the mass of the
people, are practically beyond the reach
of the constituted authorities" is a
disappointment to Democrats every
where. He points out plainly an in
stance where the laws were grossly
violated to influence the local campaign,
and admits his inability to do any
thing. Thus our platforms and pledges
are made to appear mere sound. The
Louisiana Democratic platform ac-
knowledges the binding force of all the
amendments, and pledges political
equality to all citizens. In our opinion
Governor Nichols has made grave
mistake. He should leave no effort
untried to punish all who have violated
the laws of Louisiana; and, if he has
not sufficient power to do that, he
should have recommended additional
legislation, that such occurrences might
be promptly met in the future. We
are not willing to admit that Southern
people cannot or will not put down acts
of violence, and thus invite interference
in our local affairs. We are not will
ing to admit that our platforms are
mere promises printed and circulated
to deceive and to prove that Southern
Democrats are hypocrites. We would
have been rejoiced if Governor Mich
oils had taken this spirit of bulldozing,
that he says exists in some parts of
Louisiana, by the throat and choked
the life out of it, even if it necessitated
the free use of hemp to do it. He, his
courts and his Legislature, must do
this, or confess that the Republicans
are fully excused for interfering to pro-
tect voters in their rights. = NcbSbarg
MISS. Herald Dem.