The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-03-15
THE BAYONET ELECTION LAVA
REPUBLICAN VIEW OF IT.

REPUBLICAN VIEW OF IT.
The Chicago Tribune, in an able edi-
torial article, announces that It regards
the law for the regulation of elections
by Federal bayonets as "of doubtful
eonslilutiouality, and, as party mca-
sure, u great mistake" After summa-
izing the provisions of the act, the
Tribune says,
This act rests upon the assumption
that Congress and the United States
marshals and their deputies are more
competent to protect the political liber-
ties Of the people than the people them
selves. We have an election in :his
city every four years, at which Presi-
Dental electors. Governor and State Off
GERS, twenty FIVE members Of the Gere-.
raj Assembly, tweaiy Aldermen, aud
otaer officers, State aud municipal, to
the aggregate uumber of fifty, are to- be
chosen.
At the same election we have to
choose one member Of Congress. Uu-
der TIC preience ofregu'aing the elec-
tion Of this one member of Congress,
this act interposes the power of the
Uuited Safes marshals to take POSSES.
zion Of the registration books and of the
ballot boxes, with power to exclude any
other persons; with absolute power to
arrest any voter or any other person
objecting to their proceeding, and with
power to arrest the inspectors of elec'
ton appointed under the State law aud
imprison them, and to disregard any
and every State or municipal law or
judicial process which might restrain
them.
Though, nominally, this is to be done
with respect to the election of the mem
Der Of Congress, it must affect equally
the election Of all tire other officers,
State and local, voted Tor at the same
time. Has Congress the right, or hav
ing the technical power, ought it thus
to attempt to- take the management,
coutroi, and regulation Of election for
State aud local officers out Of the hands
of the people of the State ? X
But the eject cf shis legislation upon
the public mind is odious. 1t partakes
Of the spirit Of the sedtion laws enac-
ted under the first Adams, and intended
TO perpetuate the power Of the old
Federal party. 1t has reactionary ef-
feet, and though the law may not be
resisted by violence, the popular feeling
inclines against that party which adopts
it. Under this law federal troops may
be employed to aid the marshals in en-
forcing their absolute control at the
polls, and Thousands Of Jealous and
earnest Republicans. in all parts of the
country, will not hesitate to denounce
such unnecessary and wanton interter-
euce with the freedom Of elections. Five
voters in each precinct thus protesting
against such legislation would revolu-
tionize the political organization Of tie
Government in single election.
But, suppo>e there should be q
change in the asccndancy Of parties,
and that the Uuaed States marshals,
and their deputies, and the Inspectors
OF elections, and the military com iuand
ers, aud the entire machinery Of this
bill, should be placed in the hands of a
Democratic administration, what then
How would these arbitrary and extra
ordinary powers be exercised in those
districts where colored persons vote?
How would it thco be in New York
city? How would it be in Chicago? I'M
agine the entire election in this city,
the registration, and the polls, and the
ballot-boxes, and the counting of the
votes, delegated to two "invincible
Democrats" with power 20 arrest any
person questioning their proceedings,
and having authority to order the Fed.
eral soldiers to clear the precinct Of the
"naygurs" or other Republican voters ?
Do the Republicans Of Chicago or any
other part Of the West or South want
to surrender their right to hold their
elections under State laws aud local
officers to irresponsible deputy marshals,
clothed with the most arbitrary and
extraordinary powers? Yet that is the
law which Congress has just enacted,
and which upon change Of administra-
tion would confer these immense pow
ers upon the Democratic party. We
protest against this law, capable as it is
Of being abused TO such a monsirous
extent, and we think that, iu whatever
light it may be regarded, its enactment
will prove grave mistake.