, 1876-06-20

Tho nominations Of the two parties for the
Presidential election will DO completed in
fow weeks. Tho canvass will then begin in
all parts of the country. Tho present ADJ
ministration has duty to perform which it
cannot avoid, md that is to give notice that,
to tho extent of the powors Of tho Govern
ment, thoro shall bo FREQ and fair election
in overy State, county, and precinct in tho
Unitoa Statas. Let there DO fair election,
no matter who may win. Every man in tho
United states, entitled BY law tovote, should
havo the privilege Of giving TINT vote. There
ia no higher moral crimo than fraudulent
electiou. It is rebollion,--it Is treason. It
is war upon tho liberties Of the people, md q
trampling upon the loareat privileges Of the
citizen. No party which, having the legal
authority, should by law deprive any por-
ton Of the people of their right to vote would
dare to justify the act, or hope to retain power.
Why should any portion Of tho people,
against all law. bo forcibly deprived Of the
privilege given them by tho Constitution? It
has been the practice in at least half dozen
of the States OF tho Union for poruon Of
the whito population, with tho consent and
approval OF the whole Democratic party, to
organize armed forces to commit such depre-
dations and personal violence upon tho col
ored people as to produce terrorism sutli-
ciont to prevent them attending tho polls and
voting. ThiA yioleuco has baeu Of tho most
atrocious character. It Inns included throat
ening noticoa to leave the county, cease at
tending political meetings, and omissions to
vote. 1t Inns included nocturnal visits In
force, personal beatiug Of the men, scandal
OTIS abuse Of tho women, and destruction OF
tho Ittlo homes and property by fro and
othorwiso- These havo been enlarged by u.s.
saults by large parties Of armed men
OIL colored congregations or meetings, and
frequently by indiscrimlnate shooting into
large bodies Of negroes. In this way eloc-
tions aro determined, Ono class, and a
numerous one, il intimiaatoa, ia put under
the alternative Of not voting or being mall
treated or murdered, and the result la as
emphatic defeat Of the public will as 1t
these voters were excluded by law - q olnss
from voting at ALL
There is An abundance Of law applicable
to these outragea, a,-law that provides punish
mont for tho crimes, and furnishes authority
10 prevent their commission. Tho law ar-
thorizes the executive departments to take
all tho atePs to bronx up thcse murderous
inti1nidating organizations, and to furnish all
the proteotion needed to enable the colored
people to exercise all their political privileges
freely and fairly. Whit Ia needed is that
these laws be executed. Ample notice should
10 given Of tho purpose Of tho Admins
trntion to execute theae laws, md this notice
should be followed by preparation Of oil The
means necessary for that purpose, that upon
tho least evidence Of any scheme to carry the
elections By fraud or force, by violence or
intimidation, the PROPER proventlves bo ap-
piled and fair elections secured. Tho Admin.
istration owes this to the cause Of public
morals, to tho integrity of our political in
Atitu!ions, and to tho preservation Of the
political rights OF the whole people.