Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-05-06
RICHMOND DAILY WIG.
SATURDAY MORNING. MAY g. lsla.
Mr.. Thomas W. GiImer.

We believe this gentleman to be defeated, notwithstand-
ing the grossly illegal procedure ofkeeping the polls open at
Robinson's precinct in Madison; but, ii returned at all, h,
will be indebted for it solely To that unlawful circumstance.
We know that he himself is sensible of this fact, and that he
is relying exclusively upon the riolation Of the lac for his
election We speak not unadyisedly.
The laws of Virginia authorize the polls to be kept open
after the frst day only in these contingencies: I. That there
shall not be time to poll all the voters present aud ready to
vote by sunset on the first day: ,. That by rain OF by high
water the voters were prevented from getting TO the polls on
the first day. We all remember Thursday, the 27th. The
morning was overcast, but by 9 or IL O'Clock the clouds were
dispersed, and the sun emerged in splendor. About one
O'Clock, an April shower passed over the country from the
South West. OF but a few minutes continuance. There was
no rain to prevent people from getting to the polls. The
streams, too, Were low, and the roads excellent! No where
else but in MADISON, where Mr.. Gilmer pas IA person,
throughout Virginia that we have heard, was there any mo-.
ton, any attempt to keep open the polls, and far less was 1T
any where else done.
Now we should like to be answered this question will
any respectable man in Madison, Wing or Democrat, make
oath that in his opinion one single uofer in that county was
prevented from reaching the polls, or that he ought To have
been prevented 10y the shower that fell between | and > o..
clock-an hour by which all who meant to vote were pro.
baby already at the Polls ? We are quite confident that no
man, who has any value for his character, would venture to
take that oath in the face OF his country.
The county OF Madison has, on more than one occasion
before this, incurred the general repOach of Virginia for
her licenhous voting. Her numerous pocket deeds four
years ago-her unquesionable contempt OF the restrictions
Of the Constitution in lSI0-subJccted her political fair.
ness 10 strong and Just suspicion. We regret that upon this
she has justified the hard thoughts entertained OF her
upon former occasions, and that she has taken the wit
ness stand 10 prove against herself previous iu.sumiscs. and
10 demonstrate that she neither regards the law of the land
nor the principles of fair play. What possible night has
she to the advantage OF three days voting, which no other
county IN the Commonwealth enjoyed or even pretended TOT
Nkr should - haa. w....l .a-- =. IL.
where else How comes it, that Madison, twice changed
before with foul voting, should alone. of the 100 counties
OF the Commonwealth, have kept open her polls, The
world will say-must needs say-that it looks suspicious,
and that empowering evidence must be brought to rebut n
presumption 50 violent and sustained by circumstances so
numerous and concuring. Ii gives us exceeding pain to
make remarks which reflect upon any portion OF our coun-
uymen; but our position imposes duties upon us which we
mean to discharge, as We have aimed to discharge them, at
all hazards, and offend whom it may. The purity OF the
ballot box ought 10 be guarded with vestal vigilance. The
man OF the community who would contaminatc it, ought to
be held up to the reprobaton and exccrauon of the country.
They who would, by trampling on the laws of the land,
secure to themselves privileges oi which all their county,
men besides were deprived, may call themselves Democrats,
but they are in fact licenuous con,cmnors Of the laws OF
their country and OF the rights Of other. The adme of
Democrat cannot "hOnor this corruption" II is disgrace
TO those whoever they were, who suggested, conniyed At
and executed this trick for d~efrauding Others OF their rights,
to the County Of Madison where 1t occurred, and it reflects
upon Virginia herself, that so palpable an outrage upon her
laws should be perpetrated, not merely with impunity, but
with success and triumph. No true Republican would con-
sent to ENJOY a political privilege which was not shared
equally by his fellow citizens. 4 Republican worthy Of
the name, would disdaIn TO seek it-if thrust upon him, he
would spun and fling 1t from him.
Gov. Gilmer relies upon this ilegality for his return to
Congress! lie knows that without 1t Cand probably even
in spite OF it, Mr.. Goggin has a clear majority in the Dis
/ f1gft Is Eulxyg IN ahnrf ttut NJ E.,f,, =. .l..,-l =
He has been member Of the House of Delegates, Speaker
of the House, Governor andRepresentauye IA Congress-
law maker aud an Exccutyc-lnd lac therefore must be pre-
sumed to understand the laws OF Virginia; and understanding
them, he knows that Mr.. Goggin is legally elected, and that
he himself is not elected! Vets he willing TO receive a re-
turn under these circumstances Yet is he willing to be
put into Congress by Robinson's precinct in fragrant viola.
ton of the laws of Virginia! Yetis he willing to usurp a
scat which the people have rejected him for! He counts.
he relies upon RO6inSOH'S precinct, and the unlawful votes
given at it, To put him in possession Of a trust which the
Consutuuonally and lawfully expressed voice of the Dis
trct denied him!
If this is Republicanism, we at least must unlearn all
which we had been taught was essential To constitute it,
We hope that Mr.. Gilmer for his own sake will reconsider
his purpose, for however politically odious To MS the trimmer
may be, we have not ceased To respect the gentleman, and
If he can only squeeze IN by the unlawful voting at Robin.
sons, disdain to usurp from the people what the people
themselves denied him. No public man has lost So much
ground M public confidence already, and were he now, IN
addition, TO avail himself IF the lawleSs proceedings in Mad.
ison, to fieh, 10y the aid Of a Locofoco Congress, the sea,
OF Mr.. Goggin, he would be politically damned past resur.
recuon.
P.S. We did not remember when the above was penn.
ed, that one other precinct in the State, IN the neighboring
county Of Rappahannock, was kept open. That, too, was
a Loco Foco precincti IN that, too, the design was to beat
a Wing, Col. STROLLER, by uicker. Outof 1900 precincts
IN Virginia, at least, probably 1900, these two only were
kept open. There Is fraud ON the face Of the transaction.
First Congregational DisfTief-M. Langhorns Elected !
a correspondent at Portsmouth, sends Us the following
statement which may be regarded As fully entitled to conf.
donce, couoborated as it is from other quarters, and which
places the election Of Mr.. Langhomc beyond controversy.
We congratulate the Wings Of the first District upon the
result. If Norfolk County has temporarily 1or we are sure
1t will be but temporary sweTed from her long cherished
principles, the loss is more than repaired BY the redemption
Of the District
Portsmouth, May 4, 1913.
Mesps. EdifOrs-Tbis is a glorious day for the Wings;
in adding mp the polls Of Norfolk County, the second time,
Atkinson's majority is only one instead Of seven. The ma.
joiy Of the respective counties, stands as follows
Atkinson. LanghoTne.
Isle Of Wight, pa maI. Nansemond, 22O maj.
Sussex, l72 J.. Anne, -
Zurru .rFI..Uu NJ