Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-11-26

turned to any one who professed TO be
their friend. if he was not known to be a
former Shareholder. Enterprising and
INSCRIPTIONS men, led these poor. igno-
rant fellows to the ballot box and voted
themselves into fat offices, and to posi-
tons where they could suck the life from
the State. This is the picture OF carpet
bagnrule Nodoubs many Of the Southern
States have been thus wronged almost
beyond PREPARATION. II is one OF the evils
OF free ballot. The Southern States
have suffered from ignorant Negro voters
as New York and other sections OF the
country have suffered from ignorant for
eign voters.
l, is sad to contemplate these defects in
our institutions; but there is no remedy.
The principle under which our govern
menl was established, was 1.-THE majority
shall rule" 1t makes no difference
whether the majority consists OF natives
or OF foreign born citiz ms; OF Christians,
Catholics. In6dels or Psgaus. ignorant or
educsied-the intallible majority must
rule. Our ballot is unrestricted, and We
must abide oy its decision no matter how
grievously 1t may cross US.
Il is the duty OF our genera govern
ment to see that every citizen is protect
ed in this right 70 employ sll the priv
ileges OF ruling majority to vote AS he
chooses, and once at each election. How
signally the government has tailed OF its
duty has been subject of constant re-
mark and criticism during the past month.
BE- The aid of organic 4tion, the majority.
in several States. has been forced 10 add
cate its ia ctious of natural rulers. Men
OF inte!i ence and position have banded
themselves together, and have said we
are opposed 10 the rule OF 40 ignoran'
majOrlty-because we do not belong TO
that majority, and because our prejudice
Will not allow us TO associate with and
guide this mass OF voters who are given
power over Us by the lsws OF the land
We wi. not speak Of Toe means EN-
p.oy ed-they were unlawful, and added
Other crimes to that OF sinp.e suppression
OF The popular will. We are simply to
look al the case 10 It's broadesl aspect
We are 10 decide whether or not the ma
joTIJ shall rule Ii rot. our constitution
should Toe thrown away, our laws altered,
aud new code Immediately take their
place Nh we sympatblse with OPP
pressed and robbed States. we cameo
c0unlenauce. for moment, any but law
ia. methods OF obtaining redress. Ii the
business men Of New York mad armed
themselves aud driven from The ballot
box those who were opposed to their iu-
teIe,,s, lheig conduc. would have been
severely condemned a. is the conduct of
SpUtheruers to-day. They did DOT resort
20 such measures, ont quietly and stoaii
ly exposed fraud, and 81 educated and
wruuEhtupOn the masses, tina ngY voted
toe ring out Of existence. That is pre-
c.s,'} ;he course cur Southern 5ge.Ar,n
must pursue TO o1,ain toe result they
wish Intimidation and violence may,
for a uur, bring seeming success. bu, 3
reaction must follow such measures. " hich
NAV prove worse than the original cause
OF CON pisini. The Northern people. who
are unused 10 violence, look with gres,
distavor upon such proceedings rs have
taken place a. the late elections They
viii vote so'idly agains, them. and over
come AL opposition. and .ben they will
sdopi measures to suppress the suppress
ors. II he South wishes 10 again take =
prominent position in the union. It mus,
patiently educate It's people. and seek by
pesceiul measures 10 convert tho blacks
from their love of plumber. When the
whites DO obtsin power. they must show
by careful management. bY msgnanimous
treatment OF the miuority-bv nobility OF
character and honor, for which they we're
formerly noted that they are better fitted
to rule than are those who hsve governed
for the past ten years. Then the Negroes
will look TO them as their natural lead
ers. and will be governed by their will
Il is evident. from expressions OF public
opinion now being given. that our people
have been patient. as long AS they viii.
with the shotgun policy. II it is no.
abandoned, "bsyone, rule" Will again be
established IN the Southern States /, is
for these people to say which they will
have, peace among themselves. or mill
tary rule.