Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-08-04
The Riehmond Eleclions-rhe Les.

III AAINnHioA0 ne Les
sons they Teach.
However grieyed our people may be at
the result of the recent Richmond elections,
no one viii be much surprised. The party
lines, although somewhat disguised, we're
still distinctly drawn The candidates were
either ex-Rebel soldiers, or men who, al
though submitting to the necessities of pow
er, yielded a submission under protest, and
continued to do secret service for the Union.
The candidates did not appear to make any
concealment of the part they played during
the war One boasts ina card that he lost a
leg in the Confederate service, while another
claimed the votes of his fellow-citizens ON
account of the number of his sons who had
died in the cause of Rebellion. In fact an
open rivalry appears to have existed as to
who could prove the greatest completely with
treason, and Sturdiyant, the successful candi
date, was also the winner in the contest for
secession honors The whole ticket chosen
were lately Rebels, and are probably Rebels
STILL The Union men were defeated, and
the choice of the populace fell upon those
who were traitors in the past, and are now
to be the recipients of Office under the restor-
sed Government
1t may be said by some that the posts of
Mayor and Sheriff are but trihes. and that
no injury can be done by merely local officers;
that the highest repositories of the State au-
thority are the controlling power. and that
the Seqators and congressman being secured
the minor posts could go in default of exer-
ton. To such we would quote the warning
of De Tocqueyille, who says that in America
the whole motive power Of the machinery of
government is found in what he terms
town meetings; and that it is in the bor
ough and not in the capital, that the policy
of our nation is decided a careful exami-
ner of the system of politics cannot fail to
agree with our foreign friend 1t is at tho
little gatherings in our country towns that
the candidates for offices fight their battles;
1t Is at the precinct meetings that all our
cixic contests are decided We, therefore.
are not prepared TO underrate the influence
to be exerted by the local Southern elections.
In them we see but the precursor of other
and more Edirefully insolent deeds about to
follow. We would not be surprised was
Brown once more placed in Georgia S guber
material chair, or the voice of Mason or ST-
dell once more heard at the bar of the Uni
ted States Senate claiming admission as
members If, therefore, we would save our
selves from this indignity, let us deduce
some lessons from the example Of Richmond.
The war power is still in force. Created
by the exigencies of the time, it continues to
be exercised until those eMgencies have
passed, and it is for President johnson to
decide when such is the case. At that time
by proclamation lac viii announce to the
world that the power of all opposition is
ended, and our land in complete peace. I'm
tl that Is done, the President, in securing
to each State republican form of govern
ment, can use his discretion as regards the
actions demanded by necessity. Let such
test oath then be applied, and let such an