The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-08-25

The desperate strait 10 which the Rcpub-
Iican party is driven is apparent from the
letter of Secretary Cameron To General Shcr-
man, giving notice that the United States
army is TO he used TO force Republican ma
jolilies in the doubtful Southern States
The letter is based upon resolution offered
in the House of Representatives by Mr..
Lord, Democrat, and passed by the House,
ltasscns that "all attempts by force, fraud,
terror, intimidation, or otherwise, to prevent
the free exercise of the right of suffrage in
any State should meet with certain, condign
and chccIual punishment, and that in any
case which has heretofore occurred, or that
may occur hereafter, in which violence or
murder has been or shall be committed by
one race or class upon the other, the prompt
prosecution and punishment of the criminal
or criminals in any court having jurisdiction
is impclaliycly demanded, whether The crime
be one punishable by fine or Imprisonment,
or one demanding the penalty of DEATH"
This resolution, it should be remembered
was not q joint one, concurrcd in by both
houses Of Congress, nor did it carry any
mandatory power TO the President. II was
simply the expression Ola Democratic ma
jority in the House. of the uncompromising
opposition of the Democratic party TO the
unjust or unlawful treatment of one race Of
citizens of the United States by another,
and their determination 10 preserve the bull
lot pure and free at all hazards.
The resolution, it will also be noticed
makes no reference whatever 10 the employ
ment OF the military power of the United
States TO suppress violations of the civil law.
On the contrary il expressly demands the
prompt prosecution and punishment ofthosc
who attempt to rrtytnt II fair election by
the courts. These are open in every State
in the Union. Tie class of crimes which
the resolution condemns can he swiftly and
and easily reached and punished without re-
course 10 the military
Upon the llimsy prcteXt afforded by the
resolution Of Mr.. Lord, President Grant and
Secretary Cameron audaciously proceed to
method of carrying Southern States for the
Republican party by the bayoncts of federal
soldiers. Surely the Republican party have
been terribly recrcant 10 duty and false to
their pledges to the country, if after eleven
years of peace a free election in any part of
the land can only be secured by the assistance
Of armed and uniformed soldiers. The
ballot protected by the bullet What n
commentary Camcrons letter furnishes on
the blessings Of Republican rule !
The Object is not to secure fair and free
election. That is exactly what the Republi-
cans seek to avoid in the South A fair and
free D!c"'inn in any Southern State means n
Democratic victory. The troops are 10 be
stationed nj different points, subject TO the
orders of corrupt and unprincplcd United
states marshals-bittcr partisans, who are
prepared 10 defy any law and resort 10 any
means TO prevent Democrats, white or black,
from voting.
This order TO General Sherman is one
which must cause uneasincss in The mind of
every patriotic American citizen He is di-
rectcd 10 hold in readiness for immediate
sryicc all his available force, and 10 nave
sgcII force $50 distributed and stationed as
TO he able 10 render prompt assistance in the
enforcement Of the law" Here is certainly
an element Of danger 10 the liberties of the
people, The army is an agency by which
the people may he restrained in the free OK
Grcsc Of their rights, but it can never be en-
poycd to increase their liberties. AS n
means of enforcing law in time of peace the
military power is Il very unsafe engine to
employ. AT such times The Courts OF law
are the proper tribunals TO interpret the law
and the civil arm the agency TO enforce it,
This order necessarily deprives both these
branches of their proper prerogaives. BY
issuing IL The President arrogalcs TO Him
self the province of Interpretation rs well as
enforcement, and proclaims himself at once
Dictator. This is dangerous ground for him
to occupy, for American citizens hayc gained
their freedom at too much cost of treasure
and ofblood, to lightly yield them now.
The Tammany and anti Tammany Dem
oerats Of New York have wisely composed
all differences among themselves, and now
stand shoulder TO shoulder for Tildcn, Hen
bricks and Reform.
----.e.S
The Republicans Of New York city are
very inharmonious. The fight is between