The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-09-03
THE WEIKNESS OF FORCE.
From the YcrkvIlle Enquirer.l

The lesson taught by the North Carolina
election is spre-eminenly this: that any
attempt to force the people to express an
opinion at the polls, contrary to their convic-
tions always reacts TO the injury OF the agSres-
sor Governor Holden seems to nave been
aware that popular sentiment was against
him, and ne foolishly thought he could force q
false verdict by intimidation. He, therefore.
| raised and equipped military force, visited
| Washington and secured permission from the
| President to inaugurate military .despotism
| in North Carolina, and began the work OF ter
riiying He proclaimed two counties to be In
state of finsurrection, and arrested many citi-
| zens of these counties, besides others through
out the State, on what charity itself could
dignity with no higher ground than that OF
| suspicion. When he was confronted N this
course by the courts of the State, the consti-
tuted guardian of private rights and liberties;
| he audaciously set aside their decisions and
virtually proclaimed himself the sole arbiter
OF personal rights in the State. But he did
not gain his object When the day Of election
came the people of North Carolina, with the
bayonet at their throats, tic may be said with
out any figure Of speech rose in their might
and repudiated the tyranny which ne tried TO
establish. 1t was found that, instead OF terri
| flying opponents into submission. he had out
ragged the sense of right of his own friends
| and allenated them from their previous sup
port OF his administration.
So will il ever be in country where the
people have the power to rendera a verdict on
acts of their rulers. 1t WILL we firmly beiieve,b be
so in this State, where ignorance OF what is 60
ing on is the only obstacle, If voters can be
made to comprehend IN time the schemes OF
our present Governor and his adherents. The
militia organization Of South Carolina is
| merely Governor Holden's idea Of force IN
very slightly modified form. II has already
failed in Its purpose ofterrifying the minority,
| and the failure is recognized by Its origina-
| tors, who have moreover had their eyes
| tanned in North Carolina. But as 1t would
never do to change front at this stage Of the
campaign, the machinery must be kept up.
We may expect, therefore. the pride, poInp
and circumstance OF glorious war" but its
object hereafter will not be TO frghten timid
Retormers, but to keep up the falling spirits
of the Radicals. Voters purposely Kept in ig-
norance must be prevented from nearing ne
form speeches, and for that reason military
drills and professions. which are always at
tractiye to this class OF voters, must be care
fully kept up.
party is to reason. not to force. Al! they ask
OF the bitterest opponent is a patient nearing
or fair discussion. If, after this, an oppo-
nent is unconvinced, they Will oner no mn
drance to his voting the Railcal tlckel. Anu,
moving heaven and earth to prevent their
humble adherents from hearing the Reform
speakers, their tricks are becoming too trans
parent even for the blindest of their followers.
These know that there must be something
formidable in what the Reform speakers nave
10 saw. or the Radical leaders would not be So
troubled ut the idea OF their speaking TO co.,
ored men. This idea is undoubtedly correct:
In spite of efforts to prevent it, our gallant
standard-bearers have succeeded in Seltlng
good many colored men among their AUDIENCES es
Wherever this was the case, they made an I'M
preston which nothing bat argument can
efface. Violence, as means of turning votes.
has played out, and League intimidation 70
prevent colored men from attending reform
Radical leaders viii produce something solid
in the way OF argument. they will certainly
lose their power over the eolored race; we we
have every encouragement to work and nope
for successful issue to the present campaign