Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-12-13
Defending the BulldOzers.

on the election outrages of the South, will
remind those who read it of the argu-
ments made by Northern doughfaces pre-
vious TO the rebellion in defence of the
right of the South to destroy the Union
because Mr.. Lincoln was elected President.
TIE same trucking, cringing spirit that
actuated VallaDdingham of Mr.. Thur
mars own State, and the Emerys and Pills
burys of Maine, to oppose the war for
the preservation of the Union against the
democratic rebellion, moves the Ohio
Senator now in his defence OF the BULLDOG
ers. His masters put him forward TO do
this work, regarding his locality more
favorable to the end in view than that OF n
southern democrat. But they mistake the
intelligence of northern communities if
thew think we cannot see through the
game they practise, or regard supple
tool of southern bulldozers. though of
Western or New England residence. as
any more entitled to respect than though
a scion of the chivalry of the land where
shot-guns and tissue ballots keep down
the rightful majority.
With his eyes pnrposely closed to the
great manifest wrongs perpetrated by the
southern democracy to secure solid dem
ocratic South, Mr.. Thurman pronounces
the talked Of solid South as only pretext
{, form solid republican North that shall
govern the country. Who first talked of
n solid South? The democratic party
North Snd St nth. Was it myth or real
itv to ,hemP We see it to-day fact ac-
compished. 1t is not thing of conject-
ure but an absolute reality. gained by a
system of frauds and violence carefully
and deliberately prepared and carried out
with view to turn this government into
the hands of the men who fought to de-
stroy it, In order that they may "get
even" with the men who fought to save
il. If the frauds and violence charged
upon the South do not exist, why should
Mr.. Thurman oppose Mr.. Blaine's pro-
posed investigation, for investigation is
the very thing, in that view of the case,
which the South requires to clear its
skirts from the heavy sins with which it
stands charged before the country The
people of this country desire TO know the
facts in this matter, and that is what Mr..
Blaine's resolves propose to give them.
1t is an unfavorable omen for Mr.. Thur
man and his bullduzing masters, that the y
represent and clog the puI poses of Mr..
Blsine's resolves, and to hinder the dis
closure of the truth. whatever that may
be. in regard t, the Southern elections.
Mr.. Thurman says the substance Of Mr..
Blaines speech is complaint that there
are not enough republican votes in the
South. The people of this country under
stand very we'll that Mr.. Blaine makes nc
such complaint. but he does complain that
the republicans who are there are allowed
no rights at the ballot-box, and for this he
demands that there should be some eifec.
tual remedy.
He also objects that Mr.. Blaine has
no right to assume that the negroes were
prevented from voting in the late elections
or forced to vote the democratic ticket, OF
that they would have voted the republican
ticket had they been allowed to vet. fair.
ly and freely. If Mr.. Blaine had no good
ground for his statements in regard 10 the
elections, then investigation will show
that fact, and therefore investigation will
be to the advantage of the South. Blu,
Mr.. Blaine does not make his statements
without evidence to support them. The
newspapers OF the North and the South
have Tor weeks been reporting the out
RACES committed by the red-shirt democra
cy. 1t is not republican papers alone
which have published thes, things, but the
papers of the red-shirts have likewise pub
lished them and boosted OF them and theil
results. Private letters written 10 friends
in the North have told the story Of wrong
to mary families. Official documents, too
have been received in Washington. anC
doubtless were inspected by Mr.. Blaine
before he made his speech. No evidence
for Mr.. Blaine's statements Then the
South has nothing TO fear from investiga
ton, and why in Heavens name 90 Mr.
Thurman and the chivalry of the South offel
any resistance TO the passage Of the re
solves? Instead of making farcical
and foolish attempt to cast odium upol
northern elections. The Southern bulldozer.
ought to accept investigation with alacrity
and 80 clear themselves if they can of the
great crimes laid TO their charge, it, a.
Mr.. Thurman alleges, there is no evidence
to support Mr.. Blaine's speech. In good
cause Mr.. Thurman is strong man, but
as the agent. advocate and tool of the
bulldoze-s he is perfect weakness.
The sacredness Of the ballot is ipdis.
pensable te the safety Of republic
When mobs and rihe-clubs take the place
OF msjorities of the citizens, the exist.