The daily gazette., 1882-10-31
VOTERS UNDER OATH.
COERCiNG COLORED RURAL
REPUBLICANS.
A PLAN THAT WORKS BADLY.
Tho sucetss OF the Republican Leaders In
Making Colored Men Swear to Vote the
Republican Ticket Until DEATH"

The work OF trying to whip in the colorcd
voters and make them sure for the Republi-
cans goes bravely on, but Captain Gala
ghcr and his licutenants do not seem to have
had much success. The GAZETTE stated
some days ago that meeting had been held
at New Castle at which Captain Gallagher
and some other faithful workers harangucd
the negroes, and warned them against hay
ing anything 10 do with the Demo
Gratis, at which finally solemn oath
was administered to those who would
take It that they would always vote the
straight Republican ticket, and would have
nothing to do with County Treasurer
Herbert. At that time q number OF the
colored men refused to have anything to do
with such brazcn attempt to bind them to
political task-master who only cares for
their votes, left the room and told the whole
thing, and one old man, when Mr.. Herbert
was alluded to, said, "Golly, If 1t wasn't for
him a good many niggers about dis town
would starve and de dead would 20 un-
buried"
There is q good bit of talk, particularly
among the colored people, about this thing.
This is the frat time anything of the kind
has been attempted, and the colored people
who have arrived at certain state of politi-
cal independence do not take kindly to it at
all. 1t is altogether likely that It will do the
party almost as much injury among that
class OF voiers as will the fact that Mr..
Currey, the Gubernatorial candidate, was a
slave holder until the emancipation procla-
nation freed them from bondage.
now 1T rs DONE.
In getting up these gatherings, where in
solemn conclave the colored men are slmoet
forced to swear, the Republican leaders de-
pend much upon the Ignorance OF those in
the rural districts. They usually take place
just after a political mass meeting, when
flaming torches, a brass band and loud
mouthed orutory have stirred up Enthusiasm.
The colored voters are gotten together In the
school house or the church just nitcr the
meeting 10 over, or on the night following,
and they are told about the horrid slavery
the Democrats will put them in II they sue
ceed, and whole lot Of such talk as'that is
used. Usually some colored worker of the
party, like Bailif Clayton, for instance, who
attended tho conclave at townsend, is also
present to help influence those who are
backward or disposed TO object.
A good example Of the way the thing is
done is furnished by meeting Of this kind
which was held by Captain Gallagher at
Summit Bridge, week before last. The
meeting was held in a school house or some
thing Of the kind, and tho room was well
filed with colorod men whose dusky faces
shown dimly in the flckering light of few
tallow candles. The usual haranguo was
gone through with, and the most remark
able statements were made. Then the oath
was purpuunded and the darkies asked tC
come forward and swear, and this is about
the way the oath ran
You do solemnly swoar upon the word oi
Almighty God and in tho presence Of your
Maker and your fflends that you win always
vote tho straight Republican ticket as handed
to you on election day and that you will vote II
from now until you are dead, so help you God.
This was too much for a good many OF
those present and they left the room. They
say they will vote as they please and that nc
Captain Gallagher or any one else shall make
them swear that they will vote against their
conscience.
So it seems that the scheme is not work
ing so well, after sill.