Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-10-25
THE INDIANA ELECTION.
Radical Frauds 10 be Investigated
The Election 10 be Contested.

From the Indianapolis Sentinel, Oct. %.
The demand comes from every part of
the State that the election held on the l4th
inst. for State officers should be contested.
The belief is general among the opponents
of the nominally successful candidates
upon the Radical State ticket that their
election was secured by frauds and irregu-
larities far more than enough to overcome
the majority which the official returns gave
them. Popular suffrage is only farce if
the will of the people can be set aside by
chicanery and rascality. We do not be-
lieve fair election has been held in this
county since 1856. That year the
opponents Of the Democracy COM
menced the work of debauching the
ballot-box, and since then they have held
their sway in this county by swindling at
the polls in some shape. 1t is needless TO
detail their fraudulent practices, but it Is
beyond controversy that by fraud alone
they have maintained their party ascen-
dency. 1t is only a mockery TO hold cleo
tious, TO ask verdict of the people upon
questions of public policy, and the choice
of candidates to administer the govern
ment, if the ballot-box is to be corrupted
to defeat the popular will. No doubt but
Indiana is Democratic to-day, and fair
election and honest counting Of the votes
would have SO demonstrated it at the re-
cent election, but the people have again
been cheated, to continue corrupt and
extravagant party 10 power. In 1864 the
Radical majority in this city was counted
by thousands, but it was obtained by voting
a regiment of Massachusetts soldiers, who
had no right whatever TO cast ballot
here, as many times as they pleased, and
similar acts of villainy. And men are
found, who claim to be honorable and up
right, that will accept positions knowing
they were obtained by the most unblushing
rascality.
The inquiry arises, Shall such a state Of
affairs continue? Shall no effort be made
to purify the ballot-bOx and make it the
honest arbiter of the popular will? Bet
ter that no elections be held than that the
people should be thus demorslized and
cheated One way to stop election
.swindling is to expose the fraud and pun
ish the men engaged in it. To aid in this
work is the duty Of every man who de-
sires to perpetuate free government. And
there is no better time TO commence the
publication of the baIIotbox than now.
The reported returns even make the vote
upon the State ticket at the late election
very close, and We have every reason to
believe that enough palpable frauds can
be disclosed to set aside the reported ma
jority for Governor Baker, and every other
candidates upon the State ticket. Light
should be thrown upon the infamous agen-
cies by which the elections have been con-
trolled in Indiana. Already have We
been furnished evidence TO show up much
of the swindling, but When the fact is
known that a contest is to be made, and by
responsible parties, the proof will come in
abundance from every quarter to Ventilate
the rascalities by which the Radical lead
ers have overcome the voice of the people
in the recent election.
The contest will be made, and it is due
to public morals and the vindicatiOn Of the
right that it should be. And to this deter
mination the voice of all good citizens, not
blinded by party prejudice and passion,
will respond amen.