Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1870-12-02
A firm Hand.

The President has rendered the whole
country, and especially the State of New
York, a service of incalculable value by the
energy and firmness with which he caused
the United States laws governing elections
to be enforced in the city of New York.
Despite the threats of the Democratic
press, which were made only for effect and
to secure the rabble in the interest of the
Democracy, the government held affirm
hand upon the reckless and turbulent ele-
ment of that great city. But for the timely
steps taken to secure peaceable and fair
election scenes of bloodshed and slaughter
would now be depicted in the daily papers
as events of election day. AS tis, it was
far more peaceable than most other days.
The country. owes thanks to the Presi
dent for the vigorous enforcement of; the
laws in the city of New York. We speak
not as partisans, for our party has secured
no victory thereby. Defeated as we-are in
New York, we have, as aparty, ruled in
the interest of peace and the purity of cleo
tions. Defeat by fair means, or by fair
vote, it is our duty to submit to. After we
have expressed our choice at the ballot
box, and have been overpowered by ma
jority of legal voters, we would feel bound
to take up arms to defend the rights of that
majority, as sacredly as though that major
ity belonged to our own party. Fair elec-
tions strengthen the Republic and promote
peace. Lying ballot boxes tend to anarchy
and ultimately to the establishment Of des-
potism. The government has shown TO
lawless partisans that its commands mast
be enforced. Peace and order depend on
the rigid and impartial enforcement of the
laws. xx rryz
The Executive must inaugurate and
carry into effect at the South, in its turbu-
lent districts, the same policy which has
worked so well in New York. The Ku
Klux must be taught that there is gov
ernment which is able to reach and punish
them for their nisdeeds The firm hand
in maintaining peace-in preventing the
intimidation of honest voters and in de-
fence of the purity, Of the ballot-box is not
only the hope of the Republican party, but
also of the government itself The foes of
the Republican party in the South are the
foes of the Federal Union. The same
spirit which leads to resistance and de-
fiance of law in one case, when it had suf-
ficient strength would attempt the over
throw Of the government itself.
When the managers of the Democratic
machine find that they must carry their
party along not by fraud, terroism and vio-
lence, but by appeals to the minds and
hearts of men, they will be compelled to
put forward better men and avow better
principles, in order to gain success. The
experience may be severe to them, but it
will be salutary.
The misfortune of the Republican party
has been the tinidity with whichsit has
welded the. power of the government IN
repressing the frauds and outrages of the
party opposing it. Ithas beentoo anxious
to avoid the imputation of expressing its
opponents. In this law of Congress, how
| ever, and its strict enforcement, the right
rule has been observed. The firm hand
has been maintained. Peace is the result,
and greater security is feltby all the peo-