Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-09-09
THE SOUTHERN ELECTIONS.


1t may prove that the Democratic hope
of carrying "united South" for Tilden
and hendricks is a fallacious one. If
such be the case, it will be due to the
fact that steps have been taken by the
government to secure to the voters Of
that unhappy section fair and free ex-
pressioA at the ballot-box. This is all
Republicans ask for, and we cannot see
why Democrats should complain. There
is nothing, so far as we can see which is
calculated to deter any man, Of any par
ty voting as he may wish, neverth eless
a Democratic howl is already going up,
as though the most sacred right Of the
people were being violated.
We can form but one belief from this
expression of Democratic sentiment, ard
that belief is that the preparations now
being made to enforce the election laws
are not without urgent necessity. For
if there is no intention of violation of
law why this Indignation? And if such
intention exists, is it not clearly the duty
of the government to provide for a fair
and free election ? That it is just pre-
caution, and one warranted by the way
matters are being arranged for the Presi
dental campaign by the White Liners,
we think no man not utterly blinded by
partisan prejudice will deny. And, let it
be borne in mind that for this once there
is a movement looking toward recog
milton of the rights of the freedman
which emanates from Democratic
source. Mr.. Scott Lord, a member OF
Congress from New York is Democrat,
but he is also man who believes in
government and law. He had heard the
reports of the atrocities at Hamburg and
other places in the abode Of chivalry, and
he had heard that these murders by the
White league assassins was in the inter-
ests Of the Democracy. Although a
Democrat, he felt that q political triumph
gained by assassins was not exactly in
accordance with the Golden Rule, so he
introduced the following resolution in the
Lower House, which after considerable
"fllibustering" to prevent it reaching a
vote, finally passed with but h0o Demo
Gratis who dare put themselves on the
record against it:
WHEREAS, the right of suffrage pre-
scribed by the Constitution of the several
States is subject to the Fifteenth Amend
ment of the Constitution of the United
States, which is as follows:
Article 10, Sec 1.-The right Of citi-
zens of the United States to vote shall
not be denied OF abridged by the United
States, or by any State, oil account Of
race, color or previous condition of servi-
power to enforce this article by appro-
pirate legislation" And whereas, the
right of suffrage so prescribed and regu-
lated should be faithfully maintained and
observed by the United States, and the
several States and the citizens thereof;
whereas, it is asserted that the exercise
Of the right OF suffrage is in some Of the
States, notwithstanding the efforts of all
good citizens to the contrary, resisted
and controlled by fraud, intimidation
and violence, so that in such cases the
object of the amendment is defeated /;
and whereas, all citizens. without dstinc-
ton Of race or color. are entitled to the
protection conferred by such article,
therefore be it
ResotUed, by the House of Represent
atves, That all attempts by force, fraud,
for pIeF tnf tIfntI Iot m 9th mi 70
prevent the free exercise of the right of
suffrage in any State, should meet with
certain, condign and effectual punish
ment, and that in any case which has
heretofore occurred, or that may occur
in which violence or murder has been or
shall be committed by one race or class
upon another, the prompt prosecution
and punishment OF the criminal or Grim
inals in any court having jurisdiction is
imperatively demanded. whether the
crime be one punishable by fine or i'm
prisonment, or one demanding the pen
atty Of death.
And it is because the spirit of this res
olution is being carried out by the ad-
ministration ; because men are to be
not intimidated but protected in their
right to vote, that this Democratic howl
is going up. flour government failed to
do what it is now doing, it would not de-
serve the name of government. 1t fails
in its duty when it fails to protect its
humblest citizen.
Politically we care little what the vote
Of the Southern States may be if that
vote is fairly obtained. All we ask is
fair play in every quarter-if we get that
the South may draw its sectional lines
and come up united, and it will avail it
nothing.