The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-11-07
4 Moye In the hiaht Dire ation.

uoIC Is one pfGItOSlllOn concerning ln3
future OF this country, which no one will
dcny--one prediction which must newt
ably prove true These are that methods
must be found to secure Il greater purity
| OF the ballot, to effect a reform of the base
methods by which mems votes are con-
| trolled, or the fabric and form of our GOV
eminent will be undermined and 90
down. The bribery of electors has be-
come SO widespread and corruption so
much the rule in determining important
elections, individual integrity so largely
debased, and the floating balance of power
so entirely controlled by money. that
thoughtful men feel the greatest appre-
| tensions Tor the future.
| 1t is certain that there can be no blacker
crime against a nation than this. The
| foreign invader may be met and repealed
by force of arms. The domestic malcon
| tent who would raise seditlon and divide
the country, or subvert the government
may be overcome by those who retain
! their love of country. But he who de-
liberately corrupts the public mind in
order to give distorted expression to the
ballot-box, and bend public opinion TO
! wrongful purposes, deserves nothing but
universal eXecration. And such 4 system
can have no purpose but those that are
wrongful. No good end can be COM
pressed by corrupt means, more than a
structure can be called safe ON a rotten
foundation
Feeling thus, we rejoice 10 see the proc
lamation of Gov. Parker, OF New Jersey,
in reference to this public scandal W hich
IS assuming such fearful proportions. On
the eve of the election he has issued the
following proclamation
Whereas, on the tbirty-tirst day of March, in
the year OF our Lord one thousand eight hun
dred and seVenty-one, the Legislature of this
State passed an act relative to bribery. whereby
1t was enacted that, III addition to any punish
ment then imposed by statute or the common
law, any person convicted of the offences named
III said act should be deprived OF the right of
suffrage; that any corporation, whose man
ayers, officers, or agents, with the consent of
said corporation, should use its money or prop
erty for the unlawful purpos, therein specified
snail forfeit ITS charter; and that the party to
an act Of bribery who first complained of the
other party should be exempt from the pains
and penalties of law and.
Whereas, on the twentv.siyth lav of March
in the wear of our Lord one Thousand eioht
hundred and seventy-two a supplement to S.Ii
act was passed extending its provisions to the
election of the electors for President and Vice
President of the United States; and
Whereas. The maintenance of the purity of
the elective franchise is necessary to the prespr-
Walton of a republican form of government:
Therefore. / Joel Parker, Governor of the
State of New JerSev enion upon all officers of
the law within this State the utmost vigilance in
enforcing the statute relative TO bribery .t the
elections by promptly callsinp thr arrest and
prosecution of all who shall violate the same
And I exhort all ooo1 citiynns tn C,;,.,. tb,.ir
Influence and assistonce ia tbn I,uhlic on+ln,;
tieS in their efforts to ,,,inain M. unity az 40
ballot i''' " -
The Fxecntivo win nv t,,a ,.o of ,Il tl,o 1o,,i-
innate ma.ns ca-nnars+o Mn +H.r mi
citizens in brinaine tn i,,stice lll \yho mav IN.
cur the penalties nrescrihpJ nv aid lavs
-.
Executive Chamber in the City Of rren.
the year of our Lord one thousand eiyht
tnunufe' anu SeVe"'y'' yM,;, :, ,,,,,,,,
A''es'' 'ohn A. Hall Private Secretary.
1t 'opt'le'ne''' ~ 'h's proci"i'''ioh'
NV De'iio''' '''i0 anu i'l'eiai nepuoi'c''h
'o''''i'''''es NAVY i'l'oe llie loiio"ihg oler
VI io"'''oe
ana i; u Ter, 70 'e noTe
ton passed bv the representatives. Of the Demo-
Iar1ev s. n'eI tn ar'lts o. NeW
Hotel, Jersey City Oct. %, inst, we, the I'M
tees Of the Democra+ir and Liberal iI I'l Renuhim
parties of New Jersey. do hereby offer a r.
person who shall be detected. arrested IN and con-
Hicten OF fraudulent Voting, Or # procuring
turns in this STATE nj tbe ,nmn~ Nnynm,or alne
sand dollars (S10000) will be paid to the person
or persons who shall be Instrumental in detect
ing such frauds ard arreSlng the offenders.
WIN. p. MCMICHAEL,
Chairman Democratic State Central Commit