Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-03-07
The Teller Committee,

WASHINGTON, Feb. "a.
The report OF the Teller Committee made 10
the Senate to-day reviews the testimony of
ninety-one witnesses in Louisiana, and one
hundred and seven In South Carolina. IL is
stated that frauds in South Carolina by the
use OF tissue tickets extended TO every county
In that State but one, and that between thirty
and forty murders were committed In Louis.
lana. The committee in drawing their CON
clusions, say there appears to be q wide
spread determination In these States to
restrict freedom Of speech as to po-
litical questions upon the claim that
discussion OF the relations OF labor
to capital employers to employees, and other
kindred subjects is calculated to array the
colored people against the whites, and thus
endanger the safety Of the people. This de-
termination is not authorized by State enact
ments, but the Democrats who attend politi-
cal meetings, not only of their own party, but
also OF the opposition, are In the habit of re-
fusing to allow the speakers to discuss these
questions In their various forms. Any refer
ence TO the condition OF the colored people
before the war, and the causes that led to the
war, are condemned as being Of an incendiary
character, IL will be readily seen that II it is
allowed to attendants at public meeting to
determine what is and what Is not iucendtary
or inhammatory material and therefore obiec-
tionable andno to be permitted, there will he
an end Of all political discussion unless the
speakers should consent to discuss ques-
tions In accordance with the view OF the
majority that may be in attendance. Great
liberallty must be allowed in the discussion
of all political questions, and 1t will never do
to permit a crowd of heated partisans at a
public meeting to determine what is and
what is not an incendiary speech and what is
not proper to be said on such occasions.
All the attacks which have been made on
the colored people have been attempted to be
justified or excused on the'ground that the
colored people have made threats against the
whites. However false and destitute OF
foundation these reports may have been, they
have been made the excuse of most uu-
heard of atrocity against these people. As
this pretended fear of negro insurrec-
tion is made the excuse of outrages
on the colcred people, 1t may not be amiss to
| say that the Democratic whites, when inter
rogated on that point all agreed that the
negro was peaceful and unrevengeiul, and
| that with all reports of uprising of this class
| OF people to murder and outrage whites, there
was no instance in American history within
| their knowledge when this had been done,
| and all admitted that IL wou d REQUIRE great
| provocation to induce colored people to re-
sort to violence against whites. Respect for
| authority, obedience TO law, and attachment
| to persons and things are notable character
istics OF the colored race.
| No precautions have been instituted by the
| State of South Carolina against Yiolators of
| her laws, and no efforts made to punish men
| who have thus wantonly outraged her cti-
| zens, and when United States courts have
| been resorted to for the purpose of Furnishing
| outrages on the ballot, the complainant has
| in very many instances been arrested clearly
! in violation OF law by State authorities on
| charges of perjury, and committed to jail un-
| less he gave bail. Citizens are threatened
| that If they attempt to punish offenders in
| United States courts, witnesses will be pun
| ished in State courts, and thus the State not
| only declines to punish these criminals, but
refuses to allow 1t to be done in United States
courts.
The State Government Is a white govern
ment, no colored men are represented in it
! and so far no man connected with 1t has had
| the honesty, courage or humanity to attempt
| to redress the outrages of the unfortunate
men of color. The laws of South Carolina
| and Louisiana are undoubtedly sufficient for
| the protection of all their citizens, but there
has been a lamentable failure to enforce
them. This course must in the end be de-
structive of the government of these States.
| Thousands of persons in those States con
trolled by the political party profting by these
outrages condemn them, but they lack inde-
pendence and courage to make themselves
heard in opposition to them. There never
win be peace and good order and consequent
prosperity in the South while any considerable
number of white people deny colored people
the rights given them by law. To insure last
| ing peace to the people, white and black, the
fullest and freest exercise of all political rights
must be conceded to all. The honor and pros
perity of Louisiana demand that these out
RACES against the rights OF the citizens of
these violations of State and National law
shall be punished. That this duty devolves
upon the State all admit, and, whatever may
be said of the duty of the General Govern
ment to redress the wrongs of it's citizens un-
der these circumstances, no one Will excuse
the State authorities for failure to punish
these offenders.
The committee say it was not possible,
within the short time they had been in ses-
sion, to investigate elections held in all the
Congressional districts in Louisiana and
South Carolina, but sufficient testimony was
taken to show conclusively that in several
districts in these States, not only the election
for Congressman, but the elections for State
and county officers as well, were neither fair
nor free, and that by violence and
! fraud the honest expression of the will of
| those entitled to vote was prevented and
thousands of citizens of those States de-
prived of elective franchise. In Louisiana
both violence aid fraud we're extensively
used. In South Carolina, fraud was more
largely relied upon. In both States these
agencies, so disreputable in themselves, and
so dangerous to the stability of Republican
form of Government were used, not only
against candidates of the Republican party,
but against Independent Democratic candi-
dates, and candidates by whatever name
known who were in opposition to the regular
Democratic candidates, thus showing clearly
that the result sought for and accomplished
was not the prevention of the so-called "car-
pet-bag rule,n and establishment of the So
called "home rule but the success of the
Democratic party in these States, and to carry
this by whatever means and whatever cost.
South Carolina shares a like spirit with
Louisiana. Democratic leaders seem to be in
sensible to the fact that the stability of our
Government is involved in these questions,
and to be utterly unable to comprehend that
their course renders return of material pros.
perity to these people absolutely impossible
WithouC peace and 5ood order there can be
no obedit nee to or enforcement of Iaw. Ma
terial prosperity cannot come to these State.
, in the absence of this requirement, and there
must be a radical change in the man
agement of political affairs. The trainers o.
the Constitution appear to have considered Il
safe to leave times, places and manner" o.
holding elections under the control of States
but it is very evident that they foresaw a con
dition might exist in the future under which
the safety of the National Government anC
the rights Of citizens might require tina
times, places and manner of elections should
be under its own control, and not under tina
of States. The time has come when Congress
should exercise the power 1t clearly pos
sesses of providing by law for the fair ant
free election OF members of Congress. Tn,
power to pass laws prescribing times, place
and manner Of holding elections for member
: Of Congress necessarily implies power to pro
: vide for punishment OF violations Of the laws
. IL will scarcely be contended, certainly it can
not be fairly claimed, that the National Gov
ernment is compelled to rely for punishment
of offenses against its own laws upon the law
OF the several States.
The minority of the committee have not We
prepared their views for presentation to tn
Senate.
An Address to the National Greenbaol
Party.