The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-09-01
ALABAMA.
sunny sourH, Aug. %. 1880.


paper some facts concerning the
Solid South, and chow they do it,"
used to think, before l came South,
that the reports which we read in the
papers were exaggerated, but have
concluded that there is more truth
than poetry about them. Harpers
Weekly hits the nail square on The
head every time. This county has
always gone about $500 Republican
to 200 Democratic this and one
other county have been the only two
in the State that have been able here
toforo to get fair elections. This fall
the Democrats began early to hold
public meetings and ''Barbeeues" and
to organize clubs, and endoavored by
every means in their power to get the
blacks to join them, which they with
very few exceptions refused to Go but
the Democrats still claimed that they
would carry the county, and they did
carry it. l will tell you how they
did it: In some precincts where the
Republican leaders anticipated fraud
they told the blacks not to 60 to the
place Of voting at all, and they did
not go, but the Inspectors took the
Registeration list and voted the whole
list Democratic themselves. Another
preoiact turned up a larger Demo
cratic majority than the census of1SS0
shows it to have Of inhabitants over q
years ofage, including male and female.
AT another precinct at the opening Of
the polls three men rode up and in.
formed the inspectors that they were
going to hold that election themselves +;
two of the regular inspectors backed
off, but the other one told them that
he had the Sheriff. notice in his pocket
appointing him inspector at that place,
aud that he intended to act so they
compromised with him and all went
we'll until noon, when the two self
appointed Inspectors took the ballot
boz and went to another place apd
proceeded to run the thing to suit
themselves. That precinct went Dem
ocratic solid. There is here at the
county seat military company which,
shortly before the election, was fur
Mished with arms by the State. l
myself saw fifteen or twenty Of these
fellows with their arms, cartridge-box
and bayonet in their belts gollop Of
to precinct some fifteen miles distant,
upon hearing mere rumor that there
was trouble there they had no orders
from the Sheriff or any one else. That
precint went solid. This county went
Democratic by larger majority than
they have votes. The blacks were
much excited, and but for the exer-
tions of their leading men there might
have been trouble. On the day that
the returns were counted there was a
large crowd in town Of all classes, and
by taking notice one could plainly
distinguish the shape Of the pistol OF
knife, or both, under their coat--ir
some instances the weapon itself could
be seon-aud as. they began TO so home
l saw several bring from their hiding
place their Double Barrel Shot Guns
Now understand that this was not don!
by theiirresponsible classes, but by the
so-called Chivalry Of the South
church members and deacons of tht
church. A darkey, in talking tn
election over with friend said: "Is
mighty big notion to write dat ar VI
and send it Norf to do papers," an'
after a moments reflection he added
"but I would not put my name to II
Klaus | knows what would be done"
= One word to my old friends in FOres
County, with whom / have spent 81
many pleasant winters up the creek
, Don't waste your votes l can so
other and more important Issues sine
7 came South If l were there thi
fall, knowing what now bno'o to b
the tratth, I should vote straight RePub
: lican; but hero such vote will onl,
swell the Democratic majority; M
vote, as well as thousands Of other;
. will be lost, Or worse, counted out
and you must endeavor to make u
for them up North. j.