The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-05-03
Frauds in Politics.


so fully and vigorously expressed our opinion
upe&elTtion frauds as the one we publish in
anoter Plumn under the caption, "A Vigorous
Prot ft-5sainst Fraud" which we take from the
SuukSr atchman. We could not add one word
to tAH a4icle that would present our opinion in
Might, nor would we take from it q
sentence that would weaken its denunciation of
any and all parties who would commit election
frauds or coantenance the commission of such
frauds by others. We endorse the sentiments
of our respected cotemporary: "Great God,
what is to be the character of our young men,
if this is the moral school in which they are to
be brought up? No harm to cheat because we
have !oeen cheated? Not wrong TO defraud
Smitfbecause he has defrauled me Z? Because
my nGghbor is a thief. liar, a pcrjured vii
lain, I'm justified in becoming one also? Is
this Z be our standard?'
And again, where he says: "If it is neces-
snry to cheat defraud a2d lic in order to carry
ting election, ten thousand times better is it that
we be defeated. If we are to sacrifice, in the
effort to be victorious, all that makes victory de-
sirable or valuable, where is the good to come
from victory? ?"
This - strong language, but it is the truth.
What |! condemn as scoundrel the man who
commits afraud against us, and then, when an
opportuni6 offers, do the very same act of
scoundrel4 In ourselves? 1t is base inconsis-
tency that acannot be successfully defended up
on my cncevablc grounds of excuse-moral,
legal or llltica
But thsrc is another kind of fraud which,
though MOI en,ailing 50 much social demoraiza-
ton, has proved to be q political curse to the
State:
We have always been satisfied that the nom
csty and intelligence of this State if properly and
vigorously applied, could and would control our
elections, without resort TO fraud and We verify
believe that sulfcrings under a Radical
government were greatly prolonged in consc
quencc of the deceit and duplicity which the
democratic leaders practiccd upon the people,
in coalescing with men who they all knew were
sooundrels, -and t"mrd-wrom VIC all had the
bittcrest hatred. 1t was n fraud upon the peo
plc and its effects are visible now and will be
seriously felt in organizing for, if not during
the coming campaign. 1t taught the people to
believe there was nothing wrong in coalescing
with the enemies Of the State, to obtain a share
Of the official positions, and VIC find to-day men
who were then considered good democrats prac-
ticing the lessons then taught them. by coacs-
cling with Radicals, upon independent tickets, TO
obtain office. 1t is the great danger We have to
contend with now.
That, perhaps, might not be considered so
much q fraud error Of Judgment, or an
error Of policy, under the circumstances at that
time, for many good men honestly believed 1t was
the only way to secure n countcractng influence
mere
were, also, many-and they among the leaders
of the policy--who were actuatcd more by self
int crest than from desire to benefit the State;
and on their part it was n fraud and wrong
from which the whole state suffered for years
We have ever believed that in politics as in
every other transaction, honesty is the best pol.
icy.
But the effect Of u fraud i'll an cleciion-par-
Hcnlarly if successful--is very apt to have per-
nicious influence upon the Legislative branch of
our government, and prevent the passage of
laws that would insure an honest vote at the
ballot box. IL We are not greatly deceived the
passage Of the Registration bill was postponed
through that very influence No party can
long retain power obtained hy fraud. If we
wink at stealing votes VIC shall soon wink at
stealing the voters money: