The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1880-10-06
GOVERNOR WILT AND SENATOR
ELECT RANDALL GIBSON, OF
LOUISIANA, ON SOUTHERN
CLAIMS AND AIMS
PEACE BETWEEN THE RACES -
ORDER AND CIVIL SERVICE
REFORM THE DESIRE
OF THE SOUTH
TODAY.

publication to the New York World, In
connection with an interview, printed be.
| low, with Senator.elect Randall Gibson, OF
Louisiana, it may be taken as the
voice of Louisiana in regard to the bugaboo
of the rebel claims, as we'll as sundry other
matters of great immediate public interest /:
STATE OF LOUISIANA, EXECUTIVE Dep,
New ORLEANS, December 81, 1880.
VIM, Van Norris, Saybrook Mclean COUNTY, III
SIR: | have received and carefully con-
sidered your letter Of September IA and
the lnclosed extract from a printed inter
view with Judge Southworth," originally
from the Chicago nter-Ocean. The words
put into the mouth of the Judge are untrue
from beginning to end in every PARTICULAR
| so absurlly false that | cannot see what
good they can do to the Republicans in
Illinois or elsewhere. Yet, from personal
! observation during late prolonged tour in
the west and northwest, | am more than
ever convinced that, on the part Of many
deep and bitter prejudices are cherished
against the people of our southern states
which time alone can cure. They may sur
yiye fo- score ofyears longer among the
bigoted and ignorant, although generous
and intelligent northern people are getting
nd of sentiments so unworthy Of them as
( citizens Of a common country
who should be at peace in fact as
well as in name. | must say here
that people who will believe one half OF
what Judge Southworth is represented as
having said are so grossly benighted that
no denial, no facts, no argument canchange
their notions. All the current charges made
against Southern white men by Republi-
can speakers and writers are for the igno-
rant classes only. These charges are easily
made, and for the past dozen years Repub-
lican writers and speakers have shown
great invention in framing them and re-
markablc perseverance in urging them.
Rest assured, sir, that the supply will al
ways be equal TO the demand, and that
there will not be lacking manufacturers 10
furnish or political hawkers to peddle out
these ISLANDERS against the Southern people
so long as they are known TO influence
ignorant voters. These reckless and gross
ly untruthIy charges against US, although a
thousand times proved false, will be ten
thousand times repeated throughout the
northern states until the day of the cleo
ton.
While willing to aid in dispelling those
preiudices, expect but little practical
benefit from any denials We may make
against political defamation; but as an evil
dence that appreciate the spirit which
prompts intelligent northern men like
yourself to defend Us, will briefly com
ment on some Of the more common accusa-
tons.
First-The southern people have never
at any time asked for the payment Of their
debts, or Of any portion Of them, by the
federal government. Each southern state
has now Democratic Legislature, and most
of them have had Democratic legislatures
for several years, but no resolution has
been adopted or proposed in any south
ern legislature asking from congress
remuneration for property destroyed by
war or for slaves emsncipated. Nc
southern journal has set up any claim. Fol
some years have been in immediate inter.
course with thousands Of my iellow.citizen;
of this and other southern states, but am
vet to hear the first man, old or young,
urge this doctrine or express the hope thai
such debts will be paid by congress at any
future time, Nor do they murmur at bear.
ing their share Of the Federal debt, the in,
terest OF which, to large extent, is paid
out Of revenues based upon southern ex.
ports. They desire peaceful, constitu-
tional and economical administration. and
this they hope soon TO have; but they seek
no bounty from the Federal treasury and
they will shrink from no burden which
such government may impose.
Asfor Louisiana II was much damaged BY
the war, but our state was damaged quite
as much by misrule under the carpet-bag.
gers-to the extent Of more than 100000,
900. Under pacific administration Of thu
the Federal government and honest and ef
ficlent home government our people hope
TO repair the injuries suffered from intrud.
ers after the war; but be assured that they
will not seek this reparation from congress
Second--Itis charged that Southern vot
ers are kept from the polls by violence. In
December 1870, an election was held in
Louisiana for state officers members Of the
legislature, sheriifs and local magistrates
and at the same time new constitution
was submitted tor ratification. More than
one hundred and fourteen thousand votes
were polled, Of which the Republican can.
didate for governor received
$1,000 Coored voters in grea,
numbers supported the Democratic
ticket which was elected by majority Of
more than thirty thousand while the con.
sti,uuon was ratified by vote Of $3.50
against 26,4s3. The constitution, framed
by Democratic body, was thus supported
by $4,000 Republicans or more. This fac,
alone is enough to show that the election
was peaceful and orderly. ] never knew
Of an election, here or elsewhere, more en-
tirely fair and quiet. There was no vio
lence at or near the polls; there were nc
threats Of violence made before, during OF
after the election; there were no arms
shown at the polls; no aborers were dis
charged or threatened with discharge fol
exercising their tree choice. Our system
Of registration Is thorough and fair
Our laws require polls to be located
| r.. Ia.