The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-09-14
Bayonets and the Ballot Box.

Bayonets and the Ballot Box.
The ill-expressed, awkward and un-
grammatical circular of Attorney Cen
eral Taft to the marshals of the United
States in the different districts, marks
another measure of usurpation and mill
tary force on the part of the Radical con-
spirators, who have, resolved to retain
possession of the government at the point
of the bayonet if they cannot accom-
plish their purpose by virtue of honest
votes. If anything can arouse the people
of this country to sense of the grave
danger to which they are now exposed,
of having their liberties destroyed by
military power and the strong mailed
hand of partisan despotism, these gradual
advances made by Grant, towards the
dragooning of the Southern States, should
suffice to reach their torpid consciences
and dormant fears. and command prompt
action to save the fragments of constitu-
tional freedom, that remain intact by
Radical spoilation. For the order of
Taft, carefully and reluctantly expressed
as it is, amounts to plain notice to the
officials representing the United States
military authority in the different judi
cial districts, that they are in effect armed
with unlimited power to call on the sol
diery, the militia and the general body
of citizens, to carry into effect the dicta-
ton of Radical committees, and force the
election of candidates who would be defea-
ted if the popular will was left free and
the polls were unchallenged by the naked
sword. The proposition is a plain one
in its efrontery and infamy, and worthy
in all respects of the Infamous inspira-
tion which has sent it forth; that the
hand which wields the bayonet shall su-
percede the hand wherein the honest
ballot has been lodged; and that the
minority which justifes Grantism may
be strengthened and seconded by the
open aid of the sword, against the great
popular majority which is ready to repu-
diate Grantism, and which only asks
fair poll and an unterri6ed opportunity
at the polls, to reject Grants candidates
on the 7th of November next.
Great part of the infamy Of this docu-
ment OF Taft's arises from the fact thatit
has been deliberately issued in the teeth
of recent decision of the Supreme Court
of the United States, which pronounces
the Enforcement law unconstitutional.
That decision is, in effect, that some parts
of the law may be in conformity, as
Others are undoubtedly in conflict with,
the provisions and restaints of the consti-
tuition but that the sound and unsound
parts are so intimately intermingled that
the court had no recourse except to pro-
nounce the entire law null and void.
The Attorney General has the hardihood
to allude to this decision, and to say, in
effect, that the circular letter to the mar
shals has been issued in full knowledge
of the purport Of that lofty judicial rul-
ing. But, with cunning appeal to the
passions and issues of the past, which is
the sole weapon and recourse now remain
ing to the Radical party, Mr.. Taft en-
deavors to strengthen bis Interpretation
of. the powers of United States marshals,
by citing decisions made by Caleb Cush-
ing; when the latter was the Attorney
General under Demo administra-
ton, and when the question applied to
the arrest and remanding of fugitive
slavesl This is the miserable subterfuge
to which Radical leadership is reduced,
in, the absence of all law and justice, and
in direct defiance of recent clear decis-
ion Of the highest Federal court. The
Attorney General attempts to bolster
had case Jby citing an ancient ruling
which it would be treason for anybody
else to refer to. and which his own party
and himself would be equally prompt to
cite nnder different circumstances, as an
evidence of the lawlessness and unscru-
nulousness of the Democratic party and
sts officials Of the old regime
Rnt Il ;s not necessary and it does not
vol al to d;scnss f5ne sTlameless character
of I'll tR;s latest Radical .emanation.ft Il
Toeans war IN the people it is plain.
arrsv of havonet, and the drawn sword
an one side AGAINST the honest yoterss, on
tl,a a. o othar What will he the result of
th;. ~: g,ay; mart;o, order worthy If Cromwell
~ cr'S Nanoleonq sien and how shall its danger
- crs ,,as oap.ac.,snces @ .be, avoided or preyen.
uS eads W. W. hons' neonle M will not permit
tsun. sa,,1,e. 4og ~ he evc;ted and that there
snele'afS ba aforJeS NJ VI az little nretext and oc-
easion sI ~ IS possible for any interference on
tIa t,sAo ,,ort IT. IF the marshal and his posse,
whether of soldiers or negro militia; but
+ this hone is vain, and the polls are
horr;caded and the voters draeooned,
tbers t1a ;s no course @ open except to refuse
~ tos,o vote % altogether. it, and leave the House
of Representatives M to- act with decision
trban The electoral College meets, and
yeiect @ peremptorily the vote of any State
tSns Hs secured to the Radical party, BY the
noe r of illegal power. IF the Radical
Sen.te U sbon1d retaliate by the rejection
~ 11 nemocratic States wherein the ma
;or;tu for M T;lden was honorably won,
. tba resmlt au will he q failure to elect, and
the the ,dntv of making President will then
S JevoIve On the Democratic House, Pos
s;bly Mr.. Grant will seek to checkmate
these measures of a peoples faithful
Representatives to protect them in the
exercise of their civil rights, by arresting
r.