The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-03-12


for authority, obedience to law, and
attachment TO persons and things, are
notable characteristics Of the colored
race. No prosecutions have been ia
stituted by the State Of South Caro-.
lima against the violators of her laws,
and no effort made TO punish the men
who have thus wsntonly outraged
her ~citizsns; and when the United
States courts have been resorted to
for he purpose of publishing the out
RACES on the ballot, the complainant
has 10 very many instances been
arrested, clearly in violation OF law,
by the Slate authorities on charges Of
perjury. and committed to Jail unless
he gave bell. Citizens are threatened
that II they attempt to punish the Of
Tenders 10 the Ueited States Courts
the Witnesses will be punished in the
STATE Courts. and thus the State not
only declines 10 punish these Grimm
Ills, but refuses TO allow il 10 be done
10 the Uoited States Courts. The
State Government is a white Gov
erpment DO colored men are repre-,
scented in it; aud, SO far, no man
connected with it has bad the homes
ty, courage or humanity 10 attempt
to redress the outrages ct these I'M
fortunate men of color. The laws OF
South Carolina aod Louisiana are
undoubtedly sufficient for the pro-
lection of ell their citizens, but there
has been a lameu,able failure to en-
force them
This course must ia the enc be The
destruction Of the Government Of
those States. Thousands os persons
10 those States, controlled by the
political party ~proftiGg by these out
RACES, condemn them ; bit they lack
the independence and courage to
make themselves heard in opposition
10 them There never will be peace
aud good order, aud consequent pros
perity, 10 tue South while any eon'
siderable number Of the white people
deny the colored people the rights
given them by law. To insure q
lasting peace 10 the people, white
aud black, the fullest and freest exer
else of all political rights must be-
conceded 10 all. The tonor and
prosperity of Louisiana demand thai
these ouireges against the rights u
citizens, these violations Of STATE anC
national law, shall be punished. Thar
this duty devolves upon The State 81
admit ; and whatever may be said @
the daiy Of the General Government
TO redress The wrongs Of its citizens
under these circumstances, no on,
will excuse the State authorize,
for the failure to punish these Of
feuders.
The committee say it was lot pos
sible, in the short time they were il
session, TO Investigate the elections
held in all the Congressional district.
10 Louisiana and South Carolina
but Sufficient testimony IA taken I,
show eoaelGsisely that in several dis
uricts in those States, not only th'
election for Congressman but th,
! elections Tor State and county oiiceri
as well, were neither fair nor free
and that by violeDee and fraud the
honest expression Of the will Of thos'
entitled TO vote vas prevented, ant
thousands of citizens of those States
deprived Of the elective franchise. IL
Louisiana, both violence aud fraud
we're extensively used. In South
| Carolina, fraud was mere largely re
lied upon. La both States, thes,
agencies, 80 d~isrepuiable in them
selves, aud SO dangerous to the sta
biliiy Of q republican form of govern
ment, were used, not only against tb'
candidates Of the Republican party
but against Independent pemoeratiI
candidates, and candidates, by what
ever name known, who We're 10 oppo
%sition to the regular Democratic can
dldafes, thus showing clearly tia
the result sought for and accomplishe'
was not the prevention of so-eailet
~"carpet-bag rule" and the establish
ment of so-called 'bome rule" bu
the success of the Democratic part,
in these States aud in the nation, b,
wha.eVer means and at whateve
cost. South Carolina shares q lik
spirit with Louisiana. The Demo
cratic leaders seem to be insensible I
the fuet that the stability of our Gov
eminent is involved in these queS
tiuns, and to be utterly unable I
comprehend tha. their course render
the return of material prosperity t
these people absolutely impossible
Without peace and good order Their
can be no obedience to. or enforce
ment Of, law. Material prosperit,
cannot come to these States in th'
absence of this requirement, ant
there must be a radical change in tb'
management of political affairs. TIL
trainers of the Constitution appear t.
have considered it safe to leave th,
times, places, and manner of bold
ing elections under the control Of tb'
States, but it Is very evident tina
they foresaw a condition might exis
in the future under which the safet,
of the National Government and tb'
rights of citizens might require tina
the times, places, and manner o
elections should be under its owl
control, and not under that Of ia,
States.
The time has come when Congress
should exercise the power il clearly
possesses. Of providing by law for
fair and free election Of members Of
Congress. TIE power to pass laws
prescribing the times, places, anc
manner Of holding elections for mem
bers Of Congress necessarily implies
the power 10 provide for the punish
meut of violations Of the law. 1t will
scarcely be eonten0ed-certsinly i
cannot te fairly claimed-ihst tbs
National Government is compelled tC
rely for he punishment of %offensel
against its own laws upon the laws o
the several States.
The minority Of the committed
have not yet prepared their view!
tor presentation to the Senate.
She Wanted to Wind mp Her HortaI