National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1872-12-06
THE POLITICAL MIDDLE IN ALA

!
BAMA.
The statements of fact hereto fore made In
our columns clearly proved that tho present
condition of political affairs in Alabama was
Justly chargcable upon the Secession DemOc-
racy who openly proclaimed, through Its
partisan press, that the Legislature must he
controlled In its Interest, at all hazards. The
mandate went forth, and was Obcyed to the
letter
| But the Chronicle insists that the election
| Of a Senator was at the bottom Of the affair,
and has not hcsitNtcd to inslnuNte that Scnn-
tor Spencer was responsible for the situation.
! That the election Of a Senator was promi-
nent feature in the revolutionary action Of
/ the Democracy lie more than apparent. For
| that Senator Sperr,r is not responsible, nor
| yet for the action of the Republican body,
which had met and organized in the United
States courtroom two days before Mr.
Spencer arrived In Montgomery. We are us
surcd that no effort was spared by Senator
/ Spencer to bring about q reconciliation and
union Of both bodies, but every reasonable
overture was rejected by the Capitol body, at
the instance of the Democratic state Central
Committee.
=
being under the control of the Democracy,
were Onc-sldcd and at variance with the facts
This can be readily understood when Il Ia con-
sidered that the State was carried by nearly
ten thousand Republican majority, and yet
the Democracy claim the result. The Qucs-
ton of q United States Senator Is the smallest
issue involved. The main question Is the en-
actment Of just and equitable laws, which is
imperativcly demanded by the state Of society
in that sectiOR-imprOycmen based upon
past experience, necessary to encourage emf
grafton, foster education, and calculated to
develop the resources Of the State and to In
augurute a better condition Of affairs, per-
sonal and political.
The counties which are claimed to have
elected Democratic Legislators are openly
confessed to have been Republican by large
majorities, and gave these majorltles to the
. Republican candidates for electors, Congress
men and State officers, who were all voted
for upon one ticket In addition to the Dem.
, oCratlC frauds perpctratsd In Barbour and
MarcngO counties, 1t now appears that the
votes cast for the Republican candidate foI
state Senator In Escamhia county were re,
ieCtcd because his name was on one ticket
containing the names OF all Republican can,
dldatcs for other offices, State and Federal
and the votes for his Democratic competitor
were counted because his name was on
separate ticket. This action Is In direct VIC
latiOn Of the election law, which rcquirel
voting by single ticket But what Of that
The Democracy Of Alabama does not hesitate
ut tribes.
The last Alabama Legislature was Demo
: cratic In the House, but Republican In tn
Senate. The Democratic majority In tn
I House passed an Infamous election law, equiv
. alent to virtual negation OF the enforcement
A act aud a Acknowledgement OF the colOre
voters. This bill was very properly rejecte
=, In the Senate, and yet It was printed In III
/, statutes Us approved by the Democratic Gov
=. ernur, and was enforced until recently brOugf
: to the attention Of the Supreme Court of tha
~ State, which decided that the bill had mere
/. passed nor ,oGs ia any lndy a ld'O That hi
4 fraudulent law had something to do with III
4 contemplated election Of a United States Ser
ator will not, We presume, he denied by OF
# contemporary. But will II make the Republ
- cans Of Alabama responsible II 1t does,
will be about on par ia nnfairness with Il
. diagnosis Of the present political situation
"a Alabama. Governor Lewis a gentleman
4 the highest character aud lawyer Of EN-
a. ncnco, has recognized the legality Of the Il,
s publican Legislature. lie 10 no bitter, viOlel
~ partisan and triCkstcr, hut an honorable MAI
n His action will he respected accordingly.