Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-08-24

The Republican press of the country has
been teeming for month past with sensa-
tional stories of military organizations in
the South having for their purpose the in
timidation of negro voters at the coming
election. These reports come periodically
with the approach of elections, but subside
as suddenly as they arise as soon as the cleo
tions are over and it is found that no harm
has been done. These reports have been
more than usually rife of late, and have come
to the ears of Gov. Miller, of Arkansas, who,
on investigation, found that in one of the
counties in that State companies had been
organized with political purpose. They
we're not armed or equipped in any way. and
it does not appear that they had any other
purpose in view than the thorough organiza-
ton of the party politically. Nevertheless,
to avoid even the appearance of evil, Gov. Mil
Ter has ordered their disarmament forthwith,
and has forbidden any further organizations
of the character IN the State.
The semi military companies in Arkansas,
do not appear to have been very formidable,
or calculated to work any serious damage.
The inconsistency of the Republicans in OBJ
jecting to them is made clear, however.
That party, ever since its organization, has
made especial pets of its military organiza-
tions. The ssWide-awakes'' were conspicu-
Gus by their parades in every city in the
Union i'll the Fremont campaign; then fol-
lowed the 'Rail-splitters;'' then the
Wideawakes'' had revival; Grants
"Tanners'' followed, and they were succeeded
in 1876 by the "Boys in Blue" All of these
organizations were semi-military in their
character and they exercised considerable
influence in the election! of the years of
tt cir existence. Perhaps they tried bull
doing in mild form, but their existence
awakened no alarm among Democrats att
North or at the South. They were regarded
as perfectly legitimate accessories to the
campaign, and governors were not appealed
to for their suppression. But it seems that
it makes a good deal of difference whose OK
is gored. What was perfectly proper in the
Republicans of the North, is regarded as
niSnAy Improper dHu u6uaclnS TO CQ0 peace
of the country in the Democrats of the
South.
The people of one part of the country
have as good right to maintain these semi
military political organizations as the people
of any other. part of the country. If it is
reprehensible IN one, it is reprehensible in
another, and we think Gov Miller was a
little too hasty in ordering the suppression
of the marching clubs of his State. It looks
like an unwarrantable interference with the
right of citizens to peaceably assemble for
the purpose of discussing the questions of
government. Still, it has taken from the
enemy the opportunity for disappearing
the temper of the Southern people, and in
this view is not wholly reprehensible. The
Republicans are foolish to suppose that these
organizations, patterned after theft own
favorite military campaign companies, are
designed for any illegal purpose, for they
put an argument against themselves in the
mouths Of their opponents, while the Demo-
Gratis are foolish in paying any attention to
the charges that are so absurd upon their
face.