Prior to, and with a view to, the late election in Louisiana white men
associated themselves together in armed bodies called "White Leagues,"
and at the same time threats were made in the Democratic journals of the
State that the election should be carried against the Republicans at all
hazards, which very naturally greatly alarmed the colored voters. By
section 8 of the act of February 28, 1871, it is made the duty of United
States marshals and their deputies at polls where votes are cast for
Representatives in Congress to keep the peace and prevent any violations
of the so-called enforcement acts and other offenses against the laws of
the United States; and upon a requisition of the marshal of Louisiana,
and in view of said armed organizations and other portentous
circumstances, I caused detachments of troops to be stationed in various
localities in the State, to aid him in the performance of his official
duties. That there was intimidation of Republican voters at the
election, notwithstanding these precautions, admits of no doubt.
The following are specimens of the means used:
On the 14th of October eighty persons signed and published the following
at Shreveport:
We, the undersigned, merchants of the city of Shreveport, in obedience
to a request of the Shreveport Campaign Club, agree to use every
endeavor to get our employees to vote the People's ticket at the
ensuing election, and in the event of their refusal so to do, or in
case they vote the Radical ticket, to refuse to employ them at the
expiration of their present contracts.
Pages:
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631