The Opelousas courier., 1895-02-02
"A By-Word and a Reproach."
Monroe Bulletin,

Monroe Bulletin.
These are the terrible terms which
Major Hearsey, the able editor of the
New Orleans States, applies to the
name of Louisiana, or account OF the
Infamous frauds and perjured methods
practiced in our elections.
A warm-hearted and patriotic man
is Major Hearsey. He has written more
eloquent words in behalf of Louisiana,
he has worked harder for her reden,p-
ton and glory and pleaded more pas
sionately for her n-~r as~st.cy- snhnkber-
ties than any man in her borders. Enlr-
ing all the days of reconstruction, he
waved the banner of white supremacy
far in the front of the Southern legions.
Yet this patriot is compelled to affix the
stigma of dishonOr to the foul practices
of his beloved State. o bitter, bitter
fate
Yet we must bow our heads before
his righteous wrath and admit that 1t Is
just. His burning words are true.
There has been more ballot box stuff
fling in Louisiana than all the other
States combined. Election frauds have
come to he the most open and shameless.
Perjury at elections has become a social
accomplishment and ballot box stutfing
is regarded as a fine art.
Aot rs iSfsot " S"sS7
The 14,h of September was a brave and
necessary outburst. The bold violence
of 1876 and 1878 was justified in the
sight Of God and Dan 1t overthrow,
once and forever, the last remnant OF
negro domination in the South.
But, sad to relate, these brave and
heroic uprisings made possible the facile
work of the ballot box %stuffer. His re-
gime began after the war Ut RECONSTRUCT
ton was over, and it has been used nOt
to prevent negro domination but to
maintain rings and cllques and factions
in power. 1t has been the means Of
controlling conventions through fcti-
tious representation and returning men
to Office who were defeated at the polls
by a majority of the whites. So lnfa-
nous and vile and im%prudent aud pow
erful has this ballot box stutfing system
become that it's emissaries boldly defy
the popular will and have usurped the
powers of government in Louisiana
which is ruled entirely by a few rings
and a counting machine which finds the
materials for its triumphs in masses Ot
ignorant and helpless negroes. To such
base uses have we come at last! 10
perpetuate a government in Louisiana.
1t is only necessary to have Il handful ut
INSCRIPTIONS returning officers and
masses OF negroes to count! Is this not
negro rule in it's most odlous form
1t is to free Louisiana from such dis
honor and slavery, that the editor OF
the States is working. In the presence
of the hideous disgrace and tyranny OF
the ballot box s%tutfer, he proposes that
we lay aside all other hopes and fears,
that We subordinate every other public
question aud issue to the issue of free
ing Louisiana from the horrible thral-
dom of fraud and perjury.
For this purpose the Ballot Reform
League of New Orleans was organized.
For this purpose the ballot rights con-
~vention was held in New Orleans last
Friday. 1t will organize a league ia
every parish and the only test Of mem
bership will be a pledge to support hon.
est elections. Honest men of all shades
of political opinion will join in this
great fight, We will stand together
and fight this battle for the right until
Louisiana's escutcheon lie as bright and
free from stain as the stars that sparkle
in her glorious ornament. Uutil every
son of Louisiana can throw the lie into
the face of any MAJ who says that she
counteuances aud cherishes fraud.
This il a cause to work for and pray
for and die for, if need be.