The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1871-08-18
THE COMING CAMPAIGN.

The imminent danger now iianS-
ing over the country lies in the Con-
eressional enactments known as the
| KuKlux and Bayonet Election laws.
Under the former, the Presidential
aspirant can proclaim martial law IN
any State or section at his own dis
erection. superceding the civil au-
.horities and preventing all elections
whatever. Under the latter enact
ment, he can surround the polls with
bayonets and secure as overwhelm
ing a majority as Louis Napoleon
proclaimed only a few months before
his dethronement. Whether or not
a majority of the American people
will endorse the many and alarming
departures" of Radicalism from the
simplicity of republican institutions,
is one question. Another, prior,
and more important question Isl
Will the majority By allowed to pass
their opinion on the present dynas-
ty? In other words, shall we be
granted free and fair elections ? for
such are the discretionary powers
lodged by Congress in Grant, that
the matter practically resolves itself
into concession or grant.
Although the laws We speak of
are so worded as to apply to the
whole country, there is little occa-
sion for immediate alarm as concerns
the North. Governor Geary APP
pears fully determined to keep the
closely contested field of Pennsyl-
vania clear of Federal troops. The
same may be expected in New York.
The immediate danger lies rather in
the South, against which section
these odious Congressional enact
ments were in reality directed.
An important work before us is to
so speak and act that there shall be
no reasonable pretext for military
interference in the elections in the
South. Some may say if we cannot
speak and act as we please when we
have no hostility, it would be as well
for us to be under an imperial gov
eminent. We say to all such that
: while we are under government
, republican in form, it is in substance
and effect despotism, despotism
, which will be riveted hopeIessly up
| on us, if the Grant party should sue
, coed in the next election.
We have no apprehension that
any portion of the Southern people
entertain any feelings of disloyalty
to Republican Constitutional Gov
ernment. But we have in the par
{ ty, sustaining the present President
ial incumbent an INSCRIPTIONS foe,
who resorts to any misrepresentation
which may effect his purpose in de-
ceiving the Popular mind of the
North as to the aims and purposes
of the South. We can give dignity
and strength to the Democratic or
ganization by laboring in harmony
for its success, while the freedom of
elections and the perpetuity of gen
uine Republicanism are in doubt
A word to our Northern friends
From the days of declining Rome
when the Pretorian Guard disposed
of the imperial purple, down to the
last plcbiScite of modern dcspotism,
military elections have meant the
suppression OF the popular voice.
They have no place in the autonomy
of a republic, where the majority is
supposed to rule. Nothing is plain
er than that the people among
whom the ballot-boX must be pro-
tected, are adjudged unworthy or in
capable of free self-gov srnment, If
such be the Northern opinion OF us,
let the North settle the country's flu
ture all by itself. At least, let the
North see to it, that its own honest
convictions are not nullihed and
overturned by false bayonet returns
from the South.--NashUil3e 1merl-
can.