The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-11-03
The Bayonet at the Polls.

-'"t~"sehHf ohfNh - b0t NhN
Of corruption, proaigaey aud venality,
is in great strait. Its power is depart
Ing, and it cannot consent to give it up,
without making one more desperate eff.
fort to clutch it and hold it fast. 1t
has abolished and trodden under foot
the Fundamental principles Of the gov
crnmens, to maintain its dominion,
after the people have signifed their
disgust, and Withdrawn their support.
Il has employed every device of legisla-
ton, and used every invention Of ad.
miaisirative ingenuity to retain without
open violence its presence in the gov
erument, aud now that these are OK.
hausted, bayonets and rifles are brought
into requisition. No Intelligent person
needs to be informed that this is 10
direct and open violation Of the Con.
stitution of the United States, and a
fragrant outrage upon the first princi-
piles Of free republican government
The sole Justification which Radicalism
pleads for this outrage, is the authority
Of an Act Of Congress passed at the
last session, which besides being 10 it.
self unconstitutional aud iyranous, is
found to contain no such authority as is
claimed Despite its outrageous def
ance Of the rights Of States to control
their elections, it does not permit
United States Marshal to send troops
iato State, unless first resistance be
made to the process or warrants of
arrest issued BY U. S. Commissioners.
The laws Of Congress authorize
Marshal to call on the military to sus.
tain him in the execution of legal pro-
cess issued by civil magistrate. But
no law, 10 England or America, ever
authorized the military to invade an
election district, without any process
from any magistrate. 1t is an offence
OF the grayest and most heinous char
ac:er against the liberties Of the people,
for which no law affords any pretext
i is pure aud unadulterated military
despoiism exercised BY the Grant Ad.
mipistrati9u aud nothing less.
A cabinet officer, Postmaster General
Creswell, 10 the true Bombastes Furioso
3 style, announced 10 his speech in Bal.
tiinore, week before last, that President
Grant would use the whole regular
army, and then call out the militia of
s the States, if necessary, 10 enforce the
election law y Does this vaporing
staggering gentleman, suppose chat the
Democrats of Maryland have lost their
manhood. aud are to be iutimidated by
threat like this ? Let his soldiers
eome-the freemen of Maryland, while
they viii violate no law, will no more
regard their presence than ii they we're
but 50 many citizens, even though they
! should be commanded by the doughty
gentleman himself,
President Grautand his Marshals and
their advisers, ought to have enough Of
this business Of sending soldiers TO the
polls. They tried it, in North Carolina,
and the result was most signal dsfeat.
And il i to hoped that they will meet
with as pointed rebuke in Alabama,
Missouri, Maryland, New York aud
Delaware, where the experiment is to
be tried over again, That administra-
ton deserves only the most ineifable
scorn and contempt which is capable Of
rssoriing to such expedients to control
elections, and every right thinking man
ought to rebuke such an understandable
stretch Of power BY casting his ballot
against it
Freeman Of Maryland we trust and
believe that you will utter your indig-
alant protest against the employment Of
an armed soldiory at the polls, by de-
posting your ballot against the Radical
party Remember, that this interfcr.
ence with your elections is for the negro.
The next step may be the employment
OF The soldier for the enforcement Of
Summers equality bill, or some other
equally obnoxious measure. Now is
your opportunity to rebuke these en-
croaehmenis upon your rights by
reckless Congress and no less reckless
administration
Break no law; use no violence re-
spect the rights Of others; conduct
yourselves ia every way as becomes
good citizens but e sure to deposit your
baliots II the bullet Jor on election day.
Il Is your 6ailofs which the Radicals
fear They feel the full force Of the
ssatipeut 50 we'll expressed by ono of
eur poets:
There j. q weapon snrer set
Than sword, or gun, or bayonet,
v0Apan that comes down as still
As snow-nakes on the distant hill,
hut execatns frueiuau'aund
Asiightaing does the will Of God,