American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-08-17
The North Carolina Election.

t''ht'''A ''N''AN 49,
tiveS. Although the election was
held under the corrupt supervision
of the State and Federal Radical au
thorities. and frauds innumerable in
every section were committed, yet
the Conservatives elected five out
of eight congressman, their Lieu
tenant Governor, and a working
majority of the Legislature. The
New York Herald, the ablest and
most influential Independent news
paper in the country, with a decided
preference, IL few weeks ago for
Grant, could not credit the reliabili
ty of the first dispatches from North
Carolina. In its own language:
% In view of the fact that the whole
machinery CT the election, the en-
tire Federal and State patronage,
the courts, the military, the police
and the United States Marshals,
were in the hands of the Republi-
cans, we cannot think that the adj
ministration has been overthrown.'
The Republican loss on the last
State election, though, was over
1900; yet the Administration
minions are exulting greatly because
The loss was not more, and the de
feat not entire. 1t is not strange
that the Republican Governor (who
was candidate for reelection,
welding immense patronage, and
having in his hands the control of
the polls) should have. counted out
the votes in his behalf. Yet it is
strange that the Conservatives did
not lose every thing, when we know
that many negroes from South Caro-
lima, Tennessee, Georgia and Viz
ginia were imported to vote in North
Carolina at the late election.
Senator Wilson, Radical candidate
speeches in North Carolina, that
the success of the Republicans was
essential to the cause of President
dent Grant, that there would be lit
tie hope for the administration if
North Carolina were lost to it's party.
Now, that a reverse has come, the
Conservatives electing five Con-
gressmen, and having twenty-five
majority in the Legislature on joint
ballot, which insures the defeat of
the present infamous United States
Senator, Pool, the Radicals console
themselves because they elected the
Governor by 600 or 500 majority.
The election is suggestive Of sew
eral interesting thoughts, and
teaches several important lessons.
In the first place, it shows that the
Radical cause is fast losing strength,
and that the tidal wave of liberal
ism is sweeping over the country.
Ii the Radicals cannot hold any
thing like their own in an isolated
State, in which, ever since the war
with a single exception, they have
had majOrities ranging from ten to
twenty-five thousand, how can they
expect success in Presidential cleo
ton, when the States vote together,
when fraud can be detected and
prevented, and when a general Con-
sentative gain, One-half as large as
that recently enjoyed in North Caro-
lima, will elect Greeley and Brown
by an overwhelming vote? The
election shows to what desperate
extremity the party of tyranny and
corruption has been driven by the
reform movement. thousands of
money were expended, able can
vassers went through the State, in
cendiary appeals were made, Cabi-
net officers were detailed for parti-
san work, bribing was openly re-
sorted to, voters were openly i'm
ported, the assertion was made all
over the State, that as the old North
State went so would 60 the Union,
and that to save the Government,
the Radical cause mast succeed F.;
yet Radicalism lost 1900 votes,
the Legislature, five congressman,
the United States Senator, and SIM
ply elects the GOrernOr.
The election shows that not only
the voters Of North Carolina, but of
the entire country, have wearied
of Radical mismana2ement, tyran-
ny and corruption, and that neither
force nor threats, nor brides, nor in
cendiary appeals can longer keep
in power the party which has been
such blight upon the country, and
its every interest. 1t shows that
war passions and hatreds are fast
dying out, and that patriotic people
in every section are earnestly de-
sirous of the return of peace with its
many blessings. 1t shows that the
heart of the American people is
right, and that it cannot longer be
led astray, .or excited to do wrong,
by the false appeals of bad men. 1t
furnishes most gratifying proof OF
the capacity of our people for self
government, and is Il severe rebuke
to the Grant leaders, who would
keep him in Office at the expense OF
the national peace, honesty and dig
nifty.
But one of the most important
lessons which the North Carolina
election teaches is this: The cleo
ton of Greeley can be accomplished
in November by proper effort on the
part of the friends of reconciliation
land Constitutional Government IT,
with the many advantages, Grant
and his Cabinet and tools, assisted
by the military, could not carry one
little Radical, cursed State, what