Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-10-01
10 the Democracy and CONSERVE
lives of Ohio.
DEM. STATE CENTRAL Con-, RooMs,

COLUMBUS, o., Sept. 20, 1866.
/ Ten days hence you will exercise the
highest attribute Of freemen--the express
sion Of your will through the ballot box.
Are you fully conscious Of the effects that
will follow your decision9 II not, we pray
you to reflect. The real question that un-
derlles all others is, shall less than one
third Of the people despotically govern
more than two-thirds? The Radicals know
that If the public will were fairly express
ed, they would be found in a hopeless Eni-
nority. Hence, their efforts to prevent
that expression. Hence, the exclusion OF
ten States from representation in Congress.
Hence, their determination to prevent, II
posslbleg those States from having any
voice in the next Presidential election.
Hence, their efforts to disfranchise white
men and enfraDchise negroes-the votes OF
the latter to be cast under the dictation OF
the Freedmen's Bureau. Hence, their as
saults upon the President for adhcring to
the Constitution. Hence, their attempts to
render the plainest and most incontestible
rights of the States, odious. Hence, their
struggles to concentrate all power in the
hands of the General Government, and to
control that Government by fragment of
Congress. Hence, their threats of another
war ifthelr schemes of usurpation be not
submitted to by the people. ei
p Fellow citizens, If these Radicals succeed
at the elections this fall, they will, en-
boldened by their success, cast aside even
the pretense Of moderation, and boldly act
upon the maxim, Rule or Ruin" They
will give free rein to their lust of power
and lust OF plumber. They win plunge the
country into another civil war from Canada
to the Gulf, from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
to afford them pretexts for disfranchising,
If not exterminating white men and con-
fiscatlhg their property. Be not deceived
by their talk about rebels. 1t is not the
political power Of the South they fear. 1t
is the votes of the Democratic aud Con-
servative men of the North they dread.
Upon our necks, as well as upon those Of
the Southern people, they seek to place
their heel. Arrogant and audacious as
they now are, they will be ten times more
so should they succeed at the elections.
But, give them sound defeat at the cleo
tions, and they will not dare to rekindle the
embers of strife and bloodshed.
Let them see that your numbers are too
great for that experiment to be tried with
safety to themselves. Let them see that
the spirit Of freedom and manhood is too
strong in you to allow your rights to be
trampled upon. Let them know that while
you assail the rights of no one, you are de-
termined and ready TO defend your own. 1t
is no time for timidity. If you are not
prepared to be slaves, you must be resolute.
And in firmness and resolution lies your
safety.
Do your duty, and the election will be
the dawn of peace and prosperity. Fail to
do 1t, aud the Radicals will leave you sim
gle ternative-Despotism or Anarchy.
JOHN G. THOMPSON, Chm.
ALLEN G. THURMAN,
JACOB REINHARD,
E. f. BINGHAM,
L. Z. WILSON, Secretary.
Democratic State E1. Committee.