New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-12-02
THAT is THE REMEDY

| WHAT is THE RENEDl!
Onon-skin Democracy wakes wroth. The
organs of balot-box stufling think it well to
assume a defiant air. "Punish anybody for
"vloation of law if you can" they say. but
"Clelk Adams (beng Kentucky Demo-
"cra0 will admit our members of Congress,
"two Democratic Houses of Congress will
count the votes of our electors. and the
democratic State Government will set
"tle all questions as To the election
"of State officers. Rave as much as
"you like we have the power and mean to
''keep it, Such, in effect. is the answer of
| the ball0t-bOx stutiing Democracy to expos
ures of the wholesale frauds at the South.
And, by way of enlightening us regarding
the prospect of the conviction of any cnmi-
nails, Democratic local authorities arrest wit
nesSes and lock them up on charges OF crime.
In fact, it has become crime under the rule
of OniOn-skin Democracy to make any effort
to prevent fraudulent elections. "We had
"to do it," said the frank young Democrat
of South Carolina cor they would have
beaten us III the State"
The scheme is well planned, ard there is
no lack of impudence or effectiveness in the
execution. Let us frankly admit that we
have very little hope that the Southern people
will make any effort whatever to enforce the
laws or uphold the Constitution, or to east of
the black disgrace which is settling down
upon them. Nor is there much reason to hope
that frauds can he punished. Twenty
United States officials have been shot at the
| South, and not one of the perpetrators has
been punished by Democratic local govern
mcnt. When that state Of things exists, it is
| II. Ih,t thn ctt,fi
ing of ballot boxes can be punished. Is
there, then, no remedy Has the South ac-
tually become master of the United States {?
Has all the heroism of four years of war been
cancelled, defeated, and robbed Of all fruit
by the tlssue-paper ballot 7
Not quite There remains a Solid North
| Let every Southern State uphold this prostitu-
ton of the forms of free government to the
base uses of an infamous TYRANNY, and still
there will not be votes enough. Public Opin-
ion at the North will make it impossible for
any Democratic defender of government by
onion-skin ballots to be elected to any office.
To the last man they will be swept from
place. Thousands Of honorable Democrats in
every Northern State will join in the indig-
nant movement of the people to prevent the
rape of free government. Democratic states
men and politicians, feeling that the torrent
is resistless, will yield to it, whether they
have or have not enough of honesty
sincerely to detest the crimes committed in
the name and for the sake of Democracy
This new revolution OF public sentiment will
transfer to Republican ranks many Of the
worthest and many Of the most skilled and
adroit Democratic leaders, just the out
burst of loyal feeling in 1861 placed Dix and
Logan and Butler by the side of Sumner,
Greeley and Lincoln.
1t is not possible for any section to cut
itself off more absolutely from all share in the
Government or influence in public affairs
than the South will If it defends the whole
sale and systematic prostitution of the ballot
box. Its foremost statesmen, If they ever
appeal again to Northern sentiment, will be
treated with the contempt and scorn due to
exposed and baff1ed swlndlers. "You gave
"your honor" the North will say, "and when
"yOu were trusted as gentlemen, you stuffed
"the ballot boxes" Between tho local agent
who did the job, and the Democratic
statesman who planned it, or profted
by it, or defended it, or failed to denounce
and punish it, the North will know no differ
ence, for there is none. If Wade Hampton
can 60 to the Senate by the stufing of boxes,
and the arrest of witnesses on peIjured accu-
satlOns, and the breaking of his oath to secure
fair government and faithful enforcement of
law in South Carolina, he will deserve and
get Just as much honor at Northern hands as
was gwen to either of the creatures who did
the dirty work of cheating for Tweed.
1t is not thing to be desired--this deep gulf
of utter antagonlsm between the North and
the South. But it ought to come, aud the
sooner the better, if the South tolerates, coun-
tenances, profits by, and refuses to punish. the
crimes which have been disclosed. Words
need not be minced about such matter.
Between a self-respecting and law-abiding
man, however humble, and known swindler
OF thief, there ought to be gulf. If the South
pleases to take upon itself full responsibility
for the meauest and most dastardly cheating