Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-18
Letter from Washington.

WASHINGTON, DE-, Nov. 10, 1873.
To tie Editor ofMs Kennsbse Journal:
Now that the political waters have subsidized we
can, at our our leisure, 90 over the scene of the
commotion and count the lost and saved; see
what crafts rode through the storm and came sue.
cessfully into port, else were lost shattered
beyond recovery Or 60 badly injured that no one
will wish to take stock in them sgain Most sure
ly the wreckers will not be after the republicans
this time. Many predicted that, after the some
what severe political breeze in September, which
upset couple Of craft in Maine and few in other
directions that the next storm would blow the re-
publicans high and dry or submerge them under
the waves Of oblivion. Not 50, however. The
late election has undoubtedly surprised both polit-
ical parties and taught the leaders again that the
people of this country are prone to do their own
thinking, and act in accordance-that 10, where
they have free privilege to do so. 1 except the
Southern States mostly in thus renarking. The
lamentable farce which has been produced in va.
rous portions in that section, for the gaze of the
American people, is sufficient nearly to make them
respondent rs to any good ever coming ION such
. nest of wickedness. The wholesale frauds com
mitted are so fragrant, shamefaced and open, that
even very many of the honest papers of democratic
proclivites denounce them STILL what are you 60
ing to do about it p democratic Congress has tied
the hands Of the President even if he would de-
sire to take measures to eradicate or investigate
such violations of the constitution and laws of the
country. The army cannot be used, a posse conf
tatus, composed of Southerners, and the detailing
Of special supervisors Of elections throug hout such
region is as has been shown in these elections at
the South, failure. Although it is said, and per-
haps it is true, that the President is going to use
severe and decided measures in regard to these
outrages, am puzzled to know what those severe
and decided measures can effect. A few may be
punished, the larger part will 60 free, and such
action will not eradicate the evils. The efforts of
the President will undoubtedly stir up these vio-
ators Of law to greater and more outrageous deeds
Of fraud and intimidation, backed as they are by
political unity as the South now is. Now
the South has such an increased represeu.
tation in the houses Of Congress by reason
of the liberated colored population, that
they are enabled by such increase to overba lance
the great gains the republican party b as made in
the North; and yet the very people who repre-
sent this increased representation are denied the
| rights Of suffrage and reckoned as q political
cipher. They are either forced to vote contrary
to their political sentiments, or else BY fear or
force compelled to stay away. The precincts are
SO arranged, or proscriptive measures so devised
that they are unable to deposit their ballots. And
it, perchance, their ballots deposited, the box
es are broken into, or stuffed in any manner their
opponents desire. 1t 10 an acknowledged fact that
with the exception of one or two Southern States.
in that section there has been NO free and fair ex.
preston through the bsllot-box, of public opin.
ion. Since the election have conversed with q
Southern man who was present in one of the
Southern States and it his boast that they in
tended to and did, in almost every precinct ia that
State, return democratic majority, "whether, /"
as he expressed it, there were 800 or 5000 me-
groes in the same" Nothing under Heaven but
q united North can remedy such an evil. Thanks
to the conscience and good sense of the Northern
people in general the result Of the late election
has demonstrated clearly that there is not only
possibility, but probability of united North in
opposition to such villainous course by the late
rebeillous and still defiant South. But to gain q
victory 1t should be earnestly shown that nothing
out unity ct the North will do. For instance;
II the republican party should represent this
Northern unity in 1880. and should be successful,
1t must find the necessary electoral votes-lS5-
entirely from the North. Should New York and
Indiana or New York and New Jersey 60 against
them they wonld be defeated. 1t is just possible
to elect . republican President, without New
York, by Northern electoral votes. So it Is evil
dent to any one that, despite the recent victories