The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-03-03

In the course Of debate in the House,
on Monday, on the Presidential count,
Mr.. Hewitt, Of N. Y. said
1--WE have still free ballot-box and free
press, and we are still free people, and no
Justification for civil war can ever arise among
a free people until they are deprived of the
remedy Of the ballot-box."
We take issue with Mr.. Hewitt when
he declares that 1--WE have still free bal
lOt-box, and that We are still free people
A free people have the right to choose
their own rulers That right has been
denied to the people. They cast major
ity for Samuel j. Tilden on the 18th of
November last, Of over 264, 900 and were
entitled to 1876 votes in the Electoral Col
lege. Instead Of that number, however,
they were accorded only 1874, aud their
choice Of President has thus been de-
feated, and man not chosen by them has
been foisted upon the country. Has Mr..
Hewitt to be told that the ballot is no
longer free2 What has he been doing
for the last month or more, but trying to
recover the 5000 ballots given ~ Mr..
Tilden in Louisiana, but which were wres-
ted from him, and a majority of $500
fraudulently and basely returned for Hayes.
A similar process wrested tie four votes
Of Florida from Mr.. Tilden, after the peo-
pie had cast majority for him in that
State also. And that fraudulent result in
those States was supported by Federal bay
onets. Call you that free ballot box,
Mr.. Hewitt No sir; you know it is not
free, and If anything could justify peo-
pie in striking for their rights that justi6-
cation they have had in the circumstances
attending the late Presidential election.
Our Revolutionary fathers had not 1.-THE
of the provocation to resist British aggres-
sion, that the Democratic party have had
to resist with force and arms the wrongs
they have endured at the hands Of the
Radical party. But they have estopped
themselves from appealing to such means
ofredress by asserting to this extraordinary
electoral commission, device, the practi-
cal effect Of which has been to establish
fraud rather than to preventit The Dem
ocrats could not now, if they would, con-
sistently appeal to force. But, to that
complexion it must come at last In all
probability this country has had its last
peaceable Presidential election. Stimula-
ted by the fraud so successfully practiced
at the late election, the Radical party, no
doubt, will attempt to play a similar game
on larger scale at the next trial II so,
we shall sac inscribed on every Democratic
banner-"THE BALLOT OR THE BULLET"
A fair and free ballot is vital to liberty
If that cannot be had, then there is. an
end Of free government, and then, welcome
the last resort Of freemen. The smoul-
dering fires of the present hour will not
die out, but viii remain, and if stirred
afresh will burst into devouring fame
that viii not be guenched until popu-
lar rights again entrench themselves be-
hind heroic valor. IF the Democratic
party shall maintain its organization intact
until another Presidential election, it ought
TO 90 into the contest with that distinct
enunciation as its rallyiug cry. Perhaps
the consciousness that such villainy as has
been perpetrated by the Louisiana aud
Florida Returning Boards and by the Flee
toral Commission, will meet with certain
and cOndign punishment, may prevent its
repetition. If SO, happy will it be for the
country and all concerned But the Dem
Ocratic party will never again submit to
like proyocation Let that be considered
as settled.
1t may be deemed light thing by the
active participants in these frauds in Lou
isiana, Florida and Washington, thus to
disfranchise nearly FIVE millions of people,
and the Radical party may applaud and
jest aud deem it smart that success has
been achieved by villainy with such large
popular odds against it. But men have
expiated their crimes upon the gibbet for
lighter offences than this, and eonspirators
should beware, as they may not be so for
tunate again as to escape punishment
through any such continuance as an Elec-
toral Commission, or the forbearance of
outraged freemen.