Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-09-13

1t is not possible for such a remarkable
difference TO exist in the voting strength of
these counties as indicated above, and it is
not probable that there should be such
uniform apathy on the part of the whites,
and such universal enthusiasm on the part
Of the blacks to account for the difference.
1t can be accounted for upon one reasonable
ground only, and that is that fraudulent
votes were cast, or fraudulent returns were
made.
We are justified in charging, as we do,
that our officials, from Governor down to
the miserable tools who hold the polls and
foreswear themselves at the behests of cor
rupt leaders, are not above making false
returns Of elections, for we have the con-
fession of the Era newspaper, the official
organ ofthe Radical party in this State
that returns have been tempered with, in
the office Of the Secretary Of State, with the
knowledge and cOnnivance of the Governor
himself. Since the Radical Secretary of
State, Menninoer, has declared for Gree
ley, he has been set upon by his late poiit
IC1l II ICINS, anu III LIlCIl CLLAlCIy " AIJIIC
him, are making confessions of short COM
ings and crimes on the part of our State
officials which would bring the blush of
shame to the faces of honest men, and
ought to send the perpetrators to the peni-
Tertiary.
The Era, in one of these attacks upon
Menninger, makes the foil owing disgrace
ful disclosure:
Again: Menninger pretends to be indig-
nant that we should insinuate that he, as
Secretary of State, and as the officer to
whom sealed returns of the election are
sent, would tamper with or alter said re-
turns. The Indignation of the reformer
amounts to nothing. The public are aware
that Plato Durham received in November,
1865, tecenty majority for Congress over A.
III. Jones. The returns were sent to Men
ringer as Secretary Of State, By tampering
with or altering, the returns were made to
give Jones a majority. The fact was so re-
ported to Gov. Holden by Menninger, and
having no discretion i'll the matter, the
Governor gave the certificate of election to
Jones. Having exercised his capabilities
to the extent Of multiplying the will of the
people Of the 18th Congressional District as
expressed in 1868, Menninger should not
talk OF the capacities of other people.
A silly and feeble effort, indeed, at de-
Tending Governor Holden from fraud and
perjury! No discretion, forsooth! He had
at least the 81 he discretion that every hon
est man has who detects a Grim inal in the
violation Of law, to say nothing of the de-
mands of his position and the obligations
of his oath.
But we have called attention to these
things for no purpose Of moralizing. The
violations Of law, the fraud upon the rights
of suffrage, the suppression of the will of
the people as expressed at the ballot box
are manifest, and public veal demands
that some efficient remedy shall be applied
at once. There is no subject which will
more justly or imperatively demand the
attention of our coming Legislature. No
man, white or black, should be allowed to
vote who cannot prove by witnesses Ofchar-
acter or by other proper testimony, his un
doubted right to do, wherever well found
ed doubt exists. Boys and non-residents
of the township, county and State, nov
vote with perfect impunity, upon their un
oath, many of whom do not even
know the obligations or the meaning of an
oath. These things must be changed. The
rights of lawabiding, tax-paying citizens
require 1.-THE vital interests of the State
demand it