The daily gazette., 1878-04-24
DEMOCRATIC DEsPoTIsM.

is. 1t as follows:
DEMOCRATIC DEsPoTIsM.
The Republicans of Kent county, Del,
at meeting on the 18th inst, resolved
"to refrain absolutely from voting any
tickets or any portion of any tickets. Of
whatever party or complexion, or to |
take any part whatever in the coming
election" This extraordinary proceed
ing grows out of the action of the Demo-
cratic Levy Court Commissioners, by
which more than 1000 Republican male
citizens of Kent county of lawful age
have been deprived of the right of suf-
frage. Notwithstanding their depriva-
tion of the right of voting, they are sub
iect TO the tax levies, and, as their Demo-
cratic fellow-citizens, they contribute |
their share to the support of the State,
county and local governments. Taxation |
in this Republican country carries with |
1t the suffrage privilege. 1t is funda- |
mental right of which an American free
man cannot legally be deprived. Taxation |
without representation led to the Ameri- ,
can Revolution.
For long period of time, the Demo-
Gratis have ruled with an iron hand in
the two lower counties of Delaware.
They have acted towards the Republi-
cans as if they had no rights they were
bound to respect; they have carried the
elections by the most fragrant frauds
they have established an odious proper
ty qualification to disfranchise the Re
publican voters, and they have virtually
established adespotism under the shadow
of free institutions. They have reduced
the Republicans to state of political
helotism. 1t is a condition of things
which a brave people ought not to
tolerate, and which utterly bellies all pre-
tensions of the Democratic party to
loyalty, to liberty, and right 1t is adj
mi a la i mi h,a
same rights as the Democrats, Delaware
will cease to be a Democratic State. For
this reason a condition of inequality
must be created, as repugnant to the die
tates of justice as it is to the first princi-
pies of free government. Do these des-
potic practices meet the appreciation of
Senator Bayard? Would he, as a Demo-
cratic candidate for the Presidency, en-
dorse them?
There never was a time in Delaware
since the formation of the government,
when the payment of a tax was not pre-
requisite to the right to vote, so far as VT
know; such has been the case, at least
since the formation of the present Con
stitution of Delaware in 1882, of which
the late Hon. John NJ. Clayton, was tho
reputed father, and able defender. i
was often said, and not denied we believe
that Mr.. Clayton said, when the Stat,
Constitution was completed by the con
vention of 1882 and it was suggested tina
it might he amended, that .'he had locke
the stable door and HroCn array the key.
Whether Mr.. Clayton ever made this IT
mark or not we do not know But W
do know that the Democratic party laboi
ed for many years to have the Constitl
ton amended and when it was PARTIAL
successful, that Mr.. Clayton took tn
stump and used his utmost ability in ha,
ing a new Constitution defeated. S
that the Democratic party is not respons
BILE for the clause in the Constitute
which requires the payment of a tax fro
all voters to secure a Uote.
Is the Press ignorant of the laws of i
own State? Does it not know that
voter in Pennsylvania is required to ps
a tax before he can vote? This is IL
case; and yet it charges Delaware vii
being Democratic Despotism," b
cause it exacts the small tax of about
cents from each voter, black and whit
before he can exercise this franchise.
viii the Press do us the justice to a
knowledge that it has erred in thus sla
dering our people? When the FEEDER
government forced the negroes to Il
polls, the Republican leaders here hop
to use the negro vote, and did use it
efforts to get their party in power.
was used it in the most despotic way.
man who sought Office would secure t
nomination. He would then get a list
the names of all the negroes he cou
and take it to the Levy Court of Kt
county and have them entered on t
assessment list. He would then 90 to I
collector and pay for all these names