The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-09-19

Policy.
A Strong and Able Present alton OF Facts We
Worth Public Attention.
From the Post and Tribune.
The following are the concluding portions G
the report OF the senate select committee whc
inquired into the southern election frauds {
1878
Senate Document, $50 45th Cong. 8 Session
1t was not possible, within the time Above
for the work, to investigate the elections hel
in al the congressional districts IN Louisian
aud South Carolina. In the former state, 8
witnesses were examined; in the latter, 10'
The evidence shows THAT In both states Their
isa widespread determination to restrict free
com OF speech on political questions, claimin
that the discussion Of the relations of labor t
capital. employers to employees. and kindre
subjects, is calculated to array the colored PEG
pie against the whites, and thus endanger tn
safety OF the latter This determination is no
evinced by state enactments but the Demo
Gratis, when attending political meetings, no
only OF their own party but also of the oppo
s'tiop. are in the habit OF refusing to allow tn,
speakers to discuss these questions in their VI
rIous forms. Any reference to the condition
OF the colored people before the war, or to the
causes that led to the war, are condemned al
being OF an incendlsry and infammstory char.
acter.
1t will be readily seen that il it ID allowed to
the attendants at public meeting to deter
mine what is and what g not incendiary o. in
hammatory matter, and therefore objection
able and not to be permitted there will be an
end OF all public discussion unless the speakers
shall consent to discuss the question IN accord
ance iwith the views of the majority Of those
that may be in attendance. Great liberty must
be allowed in the discussion Of all political
questions; and it will never do to let crowd
OF heated partisans at public meeting deter
NINE what 10 and what is not an "incendsry
speech what is not proper to be said on such
occasions.
PRETENDED FEARS OF NEGRO INsuRREcrroN.
IL Is claimed by the defenders OF those at
tempts to prevent free speech that there 10
danger in allowing the attention OF the colored
people to be directed to these subjects. on .c
count OF their being liable to be excited there
by, and to commit outrages on their white
neiShbors. All the MURDERS and all the at
lacks that have been made on the colored peo
pie have been justified or excused on thu
ground that the colored people had made
threats against the whites. However false and
destitute OF foundation these reports might be.
Deveitheless they were made the excuse OF the
most unheard OF atrocities against these peo-
pie. But there is nothing IN the character or
the history OF the colored people to justify any
such fears, and no reason to suppose that such
fears do exist In the minds of intelligent think
iug men living among them. Democratic wit
nesses' when Intercepted on that point. all
agreed that the negro was peaceful and unre
vsogeful; aud that, with all the reports Of nm
risings OF this class of people to murder and
outrage the whites, there was no instance in
American history within their knowledge when
TINS bad been done. All admitted that II wonld
require great provocaton to induce the colored
people TO resort to violence against the whites
Respect for authority, obedience 10 law and
attachments to persons and things, are notable
auu 'ssu!hS characteristics OF the colored race [
FEAUD, VIOLENCE AND MURDER. ,
while the investigation, as regards both G
Louisiana and South Carolina, was necessari,v Z
but partial and incomplete, as q vast arrav ~ j.,
evidence bearing upon the subjects which the ,
committee was appointed to investigate WAS .
offered which lack OF time prevented taking .
me testimony that was taken was amply sniff !,
aent to show concusively that in several dis =
''c'7 Id each state not only the elections for n
congressman, but for state and county officers n
$ well, were neither fair nor free: that nv n
no'ence and fraud the honest expression o, r
oe VIII OF those entitled TO vote was prevented a,
nd thousands OF the citizens OF those states n
spuVed OF the elective franchise. In Lou,si- n,
IA ooth violence and fraud were EXTENSIVELY 70
sed, IN South Carolina, while violence was not y,
are, fraud was more largely relied upon. >,
OF ONLY CRUELTY AND INJUSTICE, Bur 1Nap.r,- 80
TUDE 4.
Ihere is another view OF the relationship er- ~
tng between the races TO which attentio, 20
louId be drawn. During the war. slmost ALI ~
10 ableoodied white men in the states that w,
ers IN rebellion were in the Confederate an
mes The colored peope-the slaves-were Inc
on the plantations, engaged IN caring for tic
ot masters families, and in raising the food m,
NFFS''0N OHo drHllcs In the field Most ca
odery and faithfully did they discharge their tn
'ucate and important trusts Especially did IN,
ey show the afectionate kindness OF their ze
i'dre by their devotion to and kindness for sb
10 defenseless ones LETT almost wholly at their mn
eicy' II is difficult to understand how man sai
any race, particularly of race proudlv %
aiming for itself superiority to all others can o,r
eat with cruelty and injustice even interiors a.
whom they owe 80 large debt of gratitude ,ar r
NO OBJECTION 20 NEGROES VOTING r. -,
l. would appear that the objection IN ,bo
n OF the whites is no; so much TO the colorea ,
op's voting as 1t is to the way they vote. II 81,
white Democrats can control the co,ored ,ho
20 Tor the regular Democratic candidate no %
lection Is made; but the Instant the colo,oa ~
ople cast their votes for Republican q, an ,ss
dependent Democratic candidate. tbev bo- -
N the object OF The hatred and yenoo,roo -
the whites.
QUESTION OF "HoME RULL" AND "cAaprr- a.,
BAGGERs."
a short, in both the states In which ,ho -
nmittee pursued it's investigations. tho b.
party mantle sted m ao.ox...--..