The Van Buren Press

Letter of J. M. Tibbetts.

Among the official papers of Gen. Gillem's report on the Arkansas election, we find the following letter of Judge TIBBETTS, setting forth his views on the manner and validity of the election. As Mr. T. has always acted with the Radical party up to this election, it may be considered, as not an overdrawn picture of the way the election was conducted. We thought it idle from the start, for the white men of the State to attempt through the ballot to correct the great wrong imposed on us. We looked upon the military as a part and parcel of the machinery used to force negro suffrage upon the Southern States and have not been disappointed in the helping hand they have given to it. The following is the letter to Gen, Gillem :

LITTLE ROCK, ARK., April 17, 1868

GENERAL: The question of ratification of the constitution framed by the late convention in this State has been voted upon, and the result duly reported to you.

The frauds committed upon the ballot-box in many of the counties of this State are shameless and enormous and have no parallel in all history. They stand by themselves. I am persuaded there has been no expression of the will of the registered voters in this State.

Permit me to name a few among many counties: Pulaski, Jefferson. Johnson and Washington. In the two former thousands of votes were cast more than the whole number of registered, among the negroes. Women and children were allowed to vote. They voted early and they voted often, traveling from ballot-box to ballot-box. Ballot-boxes were stuffed; from others votes were abstracted. Votes offered by duly registered voters were torn up and thrown under the table. Others were more peremptorily refused without any assigned reason.

All these allegations have been duly and conclusively proven by competent and reliable testimony. Does the act of Congress furnish no remedy?

I believe the people of this State are ready to accept of congressional reconstruction; that the opposition to the constitution offered them pertains to matters foreign to reconstruction, and not necessarily involved in it. To sanction the shameless frauds committed in this election, and to say that the constitution has been ratified. will bring no peace to the people of the State. The indefinite continuance of military authority was preferable. Were Congress to frame a constitution for this State, in the spirit of the reconstruction acts, and offer it to them. I believe the people would readily accept it.

I think I have given expression to sentiments entertained by a large majority of the Union people of this State—not counting those who are candidates for office.

I trust such steps may be taken as may be necessary to correct the frauds on the elective franchise, and that the will of the registered voters of this State may be ascertained according to the letter and spirit of the acts of Congress upon reconstruction.

I have the honor, General, to be your obedient servant,
J. M. TIBBETTS.