number of white Republicans, but in each
State the colored men (who were unanimously Republican) outnumbered
all the white men. The disparity in South Carolina was so great
that the white population was but 289,000, while the colored population
was 415,000. In Florida the two races were nearly equal in number,
and owing to a large influx of white settlers from the North the
Republicans were in a decided majority. Upon an honest vote a
Republican majority in each of the three States was indisputably
assured.

Both Republicans and Democrats persisted in claiming a victory in the
three States, and as the leaders were positive in their conclusions
the masses of each party became greatly excited. Partisan papers were
full of threats, and from the South constant rumors indicated a danger
of mob violence. The first step toward checking the excitement was
the proposition that each party should send a certain number of
prominent men to the disputed States to see "a fair count." This
was accepted and representative men of both parties were soon
present in New Orleans, in Columbia, and in Tallahassee, the capitals
of the three disputed States. The Committee of Republicans sent to
Louisiana was appointed by the President. Their investigation was
very thorough, and their report, made in due form, was transmitted
with the accompanying testimony by the President to Congress.

President Grant took precautions against disturbance by strengthening
the military forces at the points in the South where violence was most
feared; and on the 10th of November, three days after the Presidential
election, he sent to General Sherman, commanding the Army, the
following memorable dispatch: "Instruct General Auger in Louisiana and
General Ruger in Florida to be vigilant with the force at their
command to preserve peace and good order, and to see that the proper
and legal boards of canvassers are unmolested in the performance of
their duties. Should there be any grounds of suspicion of a fraudulent
count on either side it should be reported and denounced at once. No
man worthy of the office of President should be willing to hold it if
counted in or placed there by fraud. Either party can afford to be
disappointed in the result. The country cannot afford to have the
result tainted by the suspicion of illegal or false returns."

The result of the contests in the three States, as determined by the
legal canvassing boards, gave the electora