The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-08
Bayonets Gllstened at the Polls.

In depositing their ballots the citizens
enjoyed only such liberty as the army
| permitted. In other States elections were
unusually peaceful. Immediately after.
wards, the result showed that one hun
dred and ninety-six Tilden electors had
been chosen. Of the whole popular vote
they received a majority Of more than a
quarter of a million, and that of the Cau-
casian race which controls every other
Christian and civilized government ofth
world, they received majority of more
than one million. On the day succeed
ing the election, it was announced by the
Chairman of the Republican National
Committee that 1874 Tilden and 1856 HAYES
electors had been chosen. Nothing had
then been learned of the election except.
ing the vote actually cast. 1t has never
since been disputed that by that vote
majority of Tilden electors had been ap-
pointed. Such announcement, therefore
could only have been made in pursuance
of an arrangement to altar or change the
vote shown to have been given by the
people. We claim that after the true re-
suit had been proclaimed, conspiracy
was forming of Republican leaders to re-
verse the decision made at the polls. The
field chosen for the development of the
conspiracy was the States of Florida and
Louisiana. The persons to act with the
original conspirators were the Governors
and members of the Returning Boards of
those States. The field was we'll chosen.
The State officers selected were suitable
persons for the work to be done. For
more than ten years those States had
been subjected to governments not of
their choice. Taxation and maladminis-
tration had robbed them of their sub.
stance and we'll nigh destroyed their
spirit and hope. The army of the United
States had been freely used to maintain
those governments in their acts of cor
ruption and usurpation. 1t was believed
that its services would aid in the design
ed conspiracy. The names of officers de-
pended upon are Marcellus L. Stearns.
Samuel B. McLinn and Clayton Cowgirl
of Florida, and William Pitt Kellogg, ].
Madison Wells, Thomas B. Anderson, E.
Cassanave and ]. B. Kenner of Louisiana,
These men are not strangers to the
American people. They had before
usurped authority. The Returning Boards
of those States made themselves by words
in the land. The Governors were known
to be pretenders.
If there were two names dishonored in
general estimation they were the names
of VIM. Pitt Kellogg and ]. Madison |
Wells. To such men was the work of |
communicating the conspiracy confded. |
They entered upon their task withil
alacrity, advised and encouraged by
leading visiting" Republican states
men of the North. They took each step
with deliberation and apparent regard
for law.
ID Commencement Of the Fraud.
Before the election in Louisiana, VIM.
Pitt Kellogg and his subordinates assum-
I'D exclusive control of the execution of
he registry law. They refused registra-
ion to thousands entitled to it, and adj
led thousands to lists who had no right
o vote. On the day of election, polls
we're managed by officials appointed by
he Governors These were, in nearly
very instance, members of the Republi.
an party. United States Marshals
warmed at every precinct where
hought necessary, under pretense of pre-
elving the peace, but in fact to intimidate
oters.
Ballot Boxes We're Stuffed
n the interest of Republican candidates,
oll-books were falsifled in some instan. !
IS and then returned to the canvassine I
ohrd, while in other cases returns, civ.
lg Democratic msjorities, were withheld /
ON the canvassers altogether. After !
'turns had been delivered to the Board !
ley remained in its exclusive possession !