Year: 1871

The proceedings of the Grant party


in Texas afford an interesting study to


those who desire to see the purity of


elections maintained in this country


and are opposed to the unlawful exer-
else Of despotic persons who have been


placed in authority. What makes the
operations OF Davis and his Washington
advisers more important is the fact that
general election is soon to be held in
that State; and by watching the meas
ures that these men have recently en-
ployed and are now pursuing TO retain
their political ascendency, the public
will be able to understand more clearly
the significance of such events as may
trsnspire hereafter in the struggle which
the present corrupt rulers are making
to defeat the will OF the people.


When the result Of the recent Con.
gressionsl contest in Texas was an
nounced as giving to the Democrats the
election OF their entire State ticket by a
large majority, we called attention TO
the fact that Gov. Davis and two Off
GERS holding jurisdiction under him are
the returning officers for the whole
State, and responsible to no superior
power, have the final counting aud de-
claration OF the peoples vote; and
gently intimated that whatever may
have been the result Of the voting, the
Congressman elected could not consider
their seats secure unit! they should have
their credentials safe in their possession.
Probably the Congressman themselves
are Of the same opinion by this time.
The news OF the overwhelming anti
Administration victory had but just
reached us when it was followed by the
information that Davis had thrown out
enough votes in the Third Congression-
al District TO defeat Giddings, who was
really elected by large majority, and
that the certificate OF election would be
issued to Clark, the Administration
candidate.


Almost simultaneously with the re-
ceipt OF this intelligence, a statement
was sent from Washington, and circu-
lated through the press in all directions,
TO the effect that it had been discovered
that the elections in Texas had been
carried 10y the Democracy through a
system Of thorough intimidation. The
absurdity of this assertion must be ap.
parent to every one who is not absolute
ly an idiot, when it is remembered that
the entire militia force, a special body Of
troops called the State Guard, and all
the peace officers in the State, were
under the direct and absolute control OF
Governor Davis, together with an extra
force OF twenty-six hundred armed spe
cial police, distributed in all parts OF
the State, who were on duty for twenty
four days previous TO the election and
during its continuance, all OF whom
We're under instructions to enforce obe-
dienCe to the provisions of an arbitrary
and illegal proclamation 10y the Govern
or, which forbade the exercise by electors
OF many Of the most important rights
Of American citizens. In the face Of
these notorious facts, the accomplices OF
Davis in Washington had the efrontery
TO proclaim that the Administration
party was defeated through intimidation.
The object Of circulating this audacious
Misrepresentation, however, is apparent
1t was for the purpose OF furnishing an
excuse to the public for still more fla.
grant usurpatlons; and we now have
the not unexpected intelligence that
Davis, in defiance OF the lawful vote OF
great majority Of the people, including
many OF the most respectable and inhu.
ential Republicans OF the State, has de-
termined to issue certificates OF election
to all the defeated candidates for Con.
gress with single exception.


But there is more TO come. Very
recently new changes against the uD-
fortunate people Of Texas have been
promulgated from Washington. 1t is
now said that the great anti-Adminis-
tration vote il to he ascribed TO the Ku.
Klux, and as q result OF this manifesto.
ton of strength on the part of that
organization, it will shortly be unsafe
for a Republican to live in the State
Indeed, it is said that numbers Of
Northern men are already preparing to
flee in terror OF their lives What does
this mean7 The answer is very plain.
II means that Davis, in spite Of all his
illegal and arbitrary efforts TO overawe
the people into voting for his ticket at
the late election, ignomniously failed
in his design. Grant is preparing to
enforce the provisions Of the Ku.Klux
law there TO the fullest extent, and car
ry the approaching general election by
force with United States troops. The
outrages already committed may posi-
sibly arouse such an expression Of pop
ular indignation as TO prevent the con-
summation Of this atrocious conspiracy
but that il il now entertained no candid
man who has carefully observed the
management Of Texan affairs can for
moment doubt.