The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1872-11-02
Address of the National Dem.
Ocratfc Committee.
The National Democratic Committee bav

The National Democratic Committee have
issued the following address:
10 the People of the United States
The October elections are over. They ena.
BILE us to form a tolerable accurate idea of the
true political situation of the country. In
Georgia we have to record victory for the
Liberal ticket SO unexampled as to take her out
of the list of doubtful States and practically
to pronounce in advance the decision of at
least one hundred and twenty-five votes In the
necessary to add sixty votes to elect Greeley
and Brown. In Pennsylvania the distinguish
ed chairman of the LiberaI committee has ele-
quentiy characterized the method by which
the result OF the election there was accomplish
ed. We commend his statement to the
thouhtful attention of the country. In Ohio
despite most unprecedented gains for the Lib
eral Democratic ticket, the Grant managers
have carried the election by redueted major
ity, having brought to the polls their entire
reserve vote. Had our Democratic friends in
certain localities of that great Commonwealth
shown the same earnestness and activity. and
enabled us, like our enemies, to record our ell
tire strength, they would now be exulting over
brilliant victory. In Indiana, the Democrat
ic and Liberal forces have achieved a most
important success on the Pennsylvania tactics,
most unscupulously employed by the Admin
istration and its allies, showing that free
people, when aroused, know their rights and
dare maintain them Indiana has fully de-
lnOnsCraJeU tHat Sne neither can be bought
nor bullied. The moral of these results is,
that victory is still in plain view for our ma
tional ticket, and that energy and courage
will assure it. That victory must be won. If
we mean to preserve free institutions on this
continent, we must assure it. The event in
Pennsylvania on Tuesday last, when consid-
cred in its causes, is the most appalling politi-
cal catastrophe that has ever taken place in
this country. Should the system through
which this catastrophe was brought about be
condoned by the people and foisted on the
other States. it seals the doom of freedom in
America A sad contrast it is, surely, that
the city in which our Republic was born. and
amid the anthems of a free people. should now
be the first to toll the knell of its liberties.
1t is for the free unbought people of all the
States to calmly review the fearful crime
against suffrage in Pennsylvania, and to de-
eide whether it shall be repeated within their
own borders. For the first time the system
of free government and the sanctity Of the
ballot are really on trial in the United States.
From this hour forward the preservation of the
franchise in its integrity dwarfs all other is
sues. Let our friends in each Of the States
catch inspiration from the heroic conduct of
our fellow-citiZens in Georgia and in Indiana,
and from now till November let their struggle
be manful and unceasing for liberty and an
untainted ballot-box, for reform and an honest
administration of the Government.
AUGUSTUS SCHELL Chairman
National Democratic Committee.