The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-12-05
THE CONTESTED SEATS.

We this morning entre tne report OF tne special
committee of the democratic convention Of Baltimore
the late election frauds in that city We bespeak for il that
calm consideration which its Importance demands
We do not regard the report specious partisan effort
for defeat to obtain power when power has
been lawfully withheld but array of startling dis
closures which impeavey require prompt and searching
investgationas honest patriotic eloquent appeal in
behalf of freedom of conscience tue purity Of elections
and the sancty Of the baotbox There nothing vague
the charges preferred All the specifications dis
tncty and deliberately made The statements furnished
either true the alleged acs of fraud and violence
greatly exaggerated the whole affair is the
coinage of the brain of men excited by defeat and maevo
lent from disappointment II true all that the outraged
democracy of Baltimore ask is the nterposition of the
grand jury of the nation to the end that their legal rights
may be respected their nufed power be felt and their
constitutional privileges free and independent electors
of sovereign State be acknowledged and upheld. Moth
ing do they seek. Anything less would be treason
to the constitution and faithlsssness to the laws
There are believe in the House of Representatives
some six eight contested seats and in thus calling
enon the fact de not desire to foresta tho opin-
ions of committee influence the action of body
who have ii in their power arrive at intelligent
cluson after examination Of testimony which it would
be almost impossible for to command Our object to
invite the attention of national representatives
state public sentiment and public feeling which they
be ignorant of insensible to with mpuny for
any considerable period We well that defeated
candidates for Office much inclined charge trick
cry fraud and violence upon their political oppo
nents and that the country well-ngh weared with the
hearing threats elections and Of occasionally
inf 1ovrc
tare Of money and amentable of time. There is
something far more serious that have to meet and
to treat The feeling has gone abroad and has wdened
and deepened into SOBER settled conviction, that in
tain localities Of the Union the elective franchise is
farcehe constitutional rights guaranteed to every Amer
lean citizen mocksry-the baot-box political trick
the voice of the people nuty-where might rides over
right and where brutal, boodymnded minority can set
at successful defiance the weknown wishes Of the major
ity.
We do say that it has been clearly proved that -
rnnny 20 monstrous and condition of affairs appalling
actually exist in any portion portions Of the Union
For the credit Of institutions and the honor Of the
American name, have strven against evidence which
led TO SO hunliang conclusion. Certain It is that the
feeling of alarm and indignation which finds utter
ance throughout the country must have wider and
deeper foundation than idle fears and triang complaints
and equally certain is it that the stories of fraud and per-
Jury arson and murder which have darkened the columns
of contemporaries for many months cannot wholly
be the work of the imagination.
The opponents of the democratic party largely in the
majority in the House Of Representatives To gain lose
half dozen members will not add to diminish their
seeming power and Importance Most of that majority
claim be the exclusive champions of freedom and JUS
tceall profess to be intensely American An opportunity
now afforded to test their principles and professions
Will they investigate honestly and decide without vo
Will they rcpudate fraud and violence matter where
or by whom practised2
These questions hope shortly TO in the affirm
ative for cannot yet believe that the popular branch
of the federal cgaturet matters not under what delu
sion majority of its members may have reached their
seats-wi by word deed, sanction outrages which, II
persisted I'M must end in the complete subyerson Of our
liberties.