Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-03-20
Forty Eight Citizens.

An AsSOclateO fIeSS ulspGIcn lrOIk new
Orleans, printed on small type in corner of
Mondays paper, announced that forty eight
citizens of Natchitoches, who had been cleared
by jury of charges of conspiracy during the
late election, were escorted Saturday evening
to the steamboat, on which they left for their
homes, by volunteer military compsay with
q band of music, and that salute was fred in
honor of the event.
These forty-eight citizens were all Demo-
Gratis and white men. One day last October
they were assembled in the Court House of
the town of Nstchitoches holding Demo-
cratic convention. Word came to the meeting
that body of Republicans, chiefly black, had
had the audacity to gather on the same day at
q church in another part of the town, and
were actually engaged in discussing plans for
nominating candidates and making an effort
to carry the approaching election. The forty
eight citizens declared that this sort of thing
must be stopped. 1t was nothing less than q
'.nigger rising" and must be promptly sup
pressed. They hurried through the work of
their convention, completed their Democratic
parish ticket, chose as captain their nominee
for the Legislature, got on their horses, and
armed with rifles and revolvers, which they
had prudently brought with them to the
Court House, they moved in body upon the
enemy. The Republicans. apprised of the
coming of this menacing fvrce, made haste to
adjourn their meeting, and sought safety in
fight. The forty eight citizens, among whom
was member of Congress and an ex-member,
made vigorous pursuit Some of the Re-
publican leaders were caught in their houses,
where they were hiding, others were chased
to the woods and made their escape. The men
who were caught were escorted out of town
at night, and told that to return would be GER
tain death; all save one, who was killed and
bis body thrown into swamp. To make
their work complete the forty-eight citizens
appointed Vigilance Committee to keep
watch for the men in hiding in the woods,
and the local Democratic newspapers pub
lshed several articles warning them that if
they valued their lives they had better get out
of the p irish end never show their faces there
again. These Republican leaders were accused
of no crime. They owned property in the
parish, were old residents. had families, and,
apart from their politics, were reputable per-
sons. One was Baptist minister and presi-
dent of an association of fifty colored Baptist
churches. Three were native white men who
had formerly been active Democrats. The
only offence they had committed was attempt.
ing to reorganize the Republican party in
their parish.
There was an exceedingly quiet campaign
in Natchitochee Parish after this brisk demon
stration of the forty-eight citizens, and the
Democratic ticket was elected without the
slightest opposition. Not a Republican vote
was polled. The bulldozed Republican lead
ers, who had taken refuge in New Orleans,
determined, however, to see whether the
United States election laws had any force and
effect in Louisiana, and they went before q
Grand Jury last winter and gave testimony
against the forty-eight enterprising Demo-
Gratis. Indictments were found, and the
cases cane to trial; but In spite of the most
conclusive evidence, the petit jury found q
verdict Of acquittal. 1t seems that the verdict
was hailed in New Orleans as Democratic
victory, and the complete success of one OF
the most brilliant and effective feats of bull.
doing ever atted in Louisiana was celebrated
brated with brass band and an artillery salute.
Evidently the election laws are dead letter
in Louisiana. Another thing is equally plain:
there will be no further attempt to revive the
Republican party in Natchitoches Parish
N. Z. Tribune, 11th inst.