The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-02-28
.The, Bayonee Election y,,,aipy.

sThe, Bayones Election villainy.
Among all the unconstitutional and
despotic measures of the Radical lead;
ers none will compare in turpitude with
the bayonct election bill. The recon-
struction measures were only temporary
.expedients for carrying the elections IN
certain States; the adoption of the tif.
teenth amendment was merely adding a
partisan clause to the Constitution by
force and fraud; the San Domingo affair
don't rise to the dignity Of anything
more than q dirty piece Of corrupt spec
ulation: But this bayonet election
scheme is murderous stab at the very
heart of Republican Institutions.
As it now stands this bill applies only
to towns having more than 10000 inhab-
itants, hut this limitation is a mere step
in making its operation universal. Last
year it applied to only two ort three Of
the larger cities, and the alleged irregu-
larities in New York were urged as an
excuse forsit. But itsaprovisions are
now to be extended to alt considerable
towns, without even the decency of q
pretense that elections therein are con
Quoted unfairly. This gradual process
of introducing this revolving atrocity
shows that its projectors felt that its
sudden precipitation upon fhe people
would raise q storm. of.indignation.-
They, therefore, hope that by this grad.
ual and lnsidious presentation Of it the
people sss6bs
aFamiIiar win It's facs.
VIII first endure, then pity, then embrace
Bafore the Presidential election its
provisions will reach every election pre-.
cinct in the Union, if the Radical lead
ers are not foiled. We shall then have
our whole election machinery under the
control of Federal appointees. There
are to be two supervisors at each pre-.
cinct,and as many deputy maTshals, from
one TO q thousand, as tile Radical mana.
gers may think necessary to secure the
election of themselves or their favorites
These officials are to receive five dollars
per day for their services, not exceeding
ten days. They are not required to bt
residents of the precincts they are ex
pected to domineer over. Part of the
selfsame horde of pick.pockets, prize
fighters, thieves and cut throats who,un
der substantially the same Law, were ap
pointed in New York last year,may nex'
year be bullying the people Of our coan
ty.
These officials win have authority te
take any position they choose either be
fore or behind the ballot.box;;" they
may arrest any person sswitll or without
process" !" they may make any statement
they may see proper in regard to The
manner in which an election may have
been held. which statement is Of course
designed to be used in contesting any
elections which may result adversely tt
the managers of.this machinery Theil
powers and privileges give them the am
piest means of lording it over electors
and the powerless election officers Of The
people The viIes, wretch among all these
marshals is clothed with the extraordi
nary power of calling to dis aid The
nearest naval and military forces, who
have no choice but toaobey disorders.
This Federal satrap has also the power
to require all citizens to aid. him in BIZ
work; and any one refusing To do so, Of
in any way ssinterfering with, erssmoles
ting, this insignificant r,irnp Shall be i'm
prisoued in The penitentiary iT,,al from one IN C
three years, or fined from $1,000 to Ss,
foa or roth at the ,;scrat;on of n,
court. ss
The,;n;on;tv of tb;s atroc;ous scbem,
Is eoualed only BY the perfdy Of til.
Radical leaders in its introduction I,
tho C,,nvon,;,n which nominated Gp.u,
auestion Of suffrage riohtfully belonged
to the States alone In the very teeth o,
their most solemn pledoes they forced
the fifteenth amendment. and then, les,
any one should doubt the s6amelessness
of their perfdy. they brought forward
this yillainy -
Under its operation there is not a con
oressional district in the United States
which NAV not be carried hv The Ra,li
u -