The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-09


At the September election Of 1872 they got
q majority OF 1888. The average of the
two is 2G,2S0. Their present majority,
therefore, falls 1853 below this average.
The whole vote cast IN New York is fully
thirteen times rs large rs the whole vote
OF Vermont Hence, "A loss OF 2,753 by the
Republicans in that state is equivalent to
o loss of about $1,000 in this state.
This attempt by the desperate Republi-
cans to get up Shout over Vermont re-
minds one Of the scared boy who tried to
whistle to keep his courage up while pass
ing graveyard.
Carrying Elections by Military Power.
We now have new and dangerous
theory of government preached by an
Administration which has determined,
o. between the two political parties
into which the people of the South
are divided, that the one shall poll
greater number Of votes than the
other; or in other words, that the can
ddates OF one party shall succeed, and
that the other candidates shall not. This
theory is that the amendment OF the Con-
stitution securing the elective franchise
to a race OF men previously not en-
Titled to vote authorizes the Federal
Government, especially AZ elections
at which Federal officers are to be
chosen, to take measures to prevent in
dividuals from being obstructed or him
dered in the exercise Of the elective fran
chise by other individuals; and that for
this purpose the army of the United States
may be employed upon the private or un-
official information and belief of the Presi-
dent that those other individuals intend 10
offer such obstruction and hindrance.
On this theory, for the first time in
our history, the army OF the United
States is to be used in interfering
with elections. 1t is in vain that
those who protest refer to the consti-
tutional amendment, which simply de-
clares that no State shall withhold the
elective franchise from any citizen Of the
United States on account of his race, color,
OF previous scrVitude. 1t Is i'll vain that
the Supreme Court of the United States
has declared that this constitutional pro-
vision has nothing TO do with The acts OF
individuals against each other; that il Sc
oures to every person, otherwise entitled
10 vote, an exemption from any dscrimi-
nation by the State on account OF his race
or color; but that il does not authorize
the Federal Government 70 punish or to
restrain the wrongful acts OF individuals
pgainst other individuals, merely because
these wrongful acts tend to prevent the
lawful exercise OF the ele1tive franchise.
! The Supreme Court has clearly and ex-
plicitly declared that the right to vote is
held OF the State aud not of the United
States; that what the United States guar
nn'ses is that there shall be no discrmina-
tion against voter on account OF his race
or color; that 10 prevent or hinder voter
from exercising hi. right of suffrage Is n
breach OF the peace OF the state, which the
State must punish or prevent; and that
the United States can only punish or pre-
vent the offence of obstructilg the voter
from exercising ms franchise on account
OF his race or color, this being the only Of
fence of which the United States can taxi
cognizance.
Now we will put this matter into tn
form of a dialogue as bet Gov CHAM
BERLAIS of South Carolina and Presiden
GRANT, assuming what we admit sat tn
present time very nwarrantable rs
sumption, that the President il a man wh'
means TO act WITHIN the sphere Of his con
Ititutional and Official duties:
CuAMBERIArS-Mr President. south Carolina Is owe
vheimiugy Rcpublcan n the Republicans are allow,
lfalr vote. But have positive Information that u
Democrats are plotting to prevent the negroes fro
voting, and want you 10 SEND force there suicien
70 secure full kepubl can vote.
4 fNu
Democrats vii not allow the negroes vote at all9
CHAMBERLAGs-So. they VIII be very willing 20 hay
them vote the Democrat ticket, out they won't ALLOW
mtm to vote because they Republicans and II -
cont interfere we shan lose the State.
The PExsipKNr-w Governor II you are satish
Lhat tue Democrats Will allow the negroes u vote 4
IILnEN nut d,ternIued TO prevent them fro
voting for HAYES, the Is one for your action. n
mine. because they mediate breach OF the peace
HE state. Ii you mud YOU cannot keep the pe'ce
Ne state and 40 oicialy certify 10 me, Will ala 70
Blu the force with which l supply You must be =
your direction, sna you must set on your ohcl
responsibility 10 the y ope Of tue siate, II you y
bstsfY the Democrats, or the VII es or any DO
Of individuals ,sre Determined 10 preNeut the negro
tom votrg ~ all, because they negroes can
ierfere on my own responsibility, bee mse the right
tAc neAI "a 20 b. eIrih. IT any such DISCRIMINATE
guaraat-ea - The Constitution and laws OF the Tint
btates.
CHANBYRLAuE OF course | DO not mean that Z
Democrats win not alloy negro 70 vote because
banrffoi bat they val prcVe't an negroes from Y,
lng Who are I.cpuDirans Drc.uss they are IcuJical
THK rREsIpESr-1nen you must take care Of I
peace 4 The state just as you Wou IN any other
OF Mrd,.ated breach OF that peace,
Til f., what any President would say
tie repi o,o utatlons that are now makil
~ Pros,deDt GRANT, II he had the lea
rosali tor the line that divides his cons
tutlonAl duties from those of the Exec
tive Of State. Yet President GRAZ
with no cnse before him that can possll
authorize MS Interference, but determln
u act GA any prelcxt that will serve
thi employment of the army at I
pohs' pats that army at the dspo
OF his Marhals for the PREVENT
oil acts when, II they were roa
mo M ri ar ILEDn In.ul .....l-I L. IL.