Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-10-05


without reference to the Presidential elec-
ton, taking upon itself, the right to cast
thevote OF the State for GRANT and CoLFAx
This outrage is no greater than if the Dem
ocratie Legislature of Ohio, elected last
fall, should have repealed the Presidential
election law, and enacted one that the Leg
islature should elect the Electors of Presi-
dent and Vice President, and then proceed
to elect those favorable to SEYMOUR and
BLAIR, and thus cast the twenty-one votes
of Ohio, without the people having any
voice in the matter, for the Democratic
nominees. Would the Radicals have quiet
ly and tamely submitted to such an out
rage? If fthey would. they would at once,
with truth, be branded as craven hearted
wretches, unworthy of the right to vote.
The Democracy of Florida do not intend
to submit. They will hold an election and
will cast their vote, and elect their electors.
When the election for Governor and other
State officers was held last spring, the DEM
ocratic party was utterly disorganized, SO
that they were easily beaten. Since then,
as we learn by the correspondence of the
New York Herald, they have effected a
thorough organization of clubs, commit
tees and other adjuncts of political parties
throughout Florida. Besides, the evident
reaction among the negroes is also seen
here as plainly as it is to be seen in Geor-
gia or Alabama. Not. perhaps, to SO great
an extent as in those States; but probably
4 900 of the 10000 negro voters here would
ally themselves with the whites should an
election be held. and this number is amply
sufficient to givecthe Democracy adeeided
majority. The fact is that Radicalism in
Florida cannot hold its own. This the
men who now control the State
know full well, and it was for the
purpose of avoiding bad defeat
that they passed the bill referred to. This
measure, which absolutely DISTINGUISHES
every man of every color, the Democrats
are not disposed to submit to. They have
an electoral ticket in the field and have de-
clared their intention to vote in defiance of
the Legislature and the reconstructed State
government. By some means or other
they have obtained copies OF the poll lists,
and the State Executive Committee will
appoint the necessary judges and inspec-
tors of election, open voting places on the
Sd of November next and receive the votes
cf all persons, white or black, Democrat
or Radical. At sundown the polling places
will be closed, the votes counted, and if Gas
they will) the Democratic electors receive
a majority certificates will issue to them
and they will forward three electoral votes
for SEYMOUR and BLAIR to the proper au-
thorities at Washington. Meantime the
Radicals laugh at this plan OF campaign,
and tell their opponents that they may as
well save their money and labor, as there
is not the slightest probability of Con-
gress ever receiving their vote
If, as it is determined it shall be, the-vote
of the State is q fair.one, and represents
the feelings of the people, by majority of
the voters OF the State, and if it be cast for
SEYMOUR and BLAIR, and the; three electo-
raj votes of Florida be necessary to deter
mine the contest, assuredly these votes will,
if not in Congress, be counted out of it.
In pursuance of the policy adopted by
the Democrats vigorous campaign is be-
ing carried on. This may appear somewhat
singular when it is considered that there is
no opposition, the Radicals regarding the
entire movement as Quixotic and refusing
to recognize it, But the purpose is to poll
a bona Jfde majority of all the. registered
votes in the State, so that when the result
is sent into Washington none dare deny
that it represents the actual will of Florida.
There are not over $4,000 registered voters
in the State; so should 10000 or even 1900
votes be polled by the Democrats they will
assert-the right to have their electoral vote
cast for SEYMOUR and BLAIR. None other
than a fair election will be held. Should
there be one vote less than majority cast
the Democrats will consider themselves
beaten and do nothing further in the mat
ter. y II p f2".-
The correspondence of the Herald, from
which paper we CLEAN most of the facts
above stated, adds:
''Whether the existing State government
will permit the vote to be taken is ques-
tion which has not yet been answered. The
carpet-bag officials affect to regard the en-
tire movement as illegal and revolution
ary defiance of the laws of Florida, but
pursue. 1t is to be hoped that they will
not, attempt to prevent the whites from
voting, as in the present temper of the peo-
pie anything of that nature would most as
suredly be resisted, and the most deplora-
Bile results would follow. If the proposed
action of the whites be even illegal, it will
not warrant violence, as, being necessarily
a nulity, the vote will not be counted. On
my arrival at Tallahassee / shall ascertain
what steps are likely to be taken by Mr..
Reed, the gentleman who writes himself
Governor of Florida in this matter"
The vote of the State, taken under such
circumstances, will not be a nullity if it
decides who is President. The attempt of
the Radicals to thus disfranchise the white
people, is revolutionary in its intent, and
ought, as it will be, resisted by all lawful
means. "Let us have Peace" fu,