The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-12-12
nlanitowoc pilot.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER u, 1878.
INTIMIDATION AND FRAUD.

INTIMIDATION AND FRAUD.
That political casuistry which would
justify democratic frauds, because they
simply follow republican precedent,
would soon prove ruinous to the morals
of a nation. But the fine frenzy OF those
who assiduously practiced the frauds
which they 50 virtuously denounce, is as
sublime for its impudence as it is re-
freshing for its hypocrisy. Republicans
are in no position to assume yirtuous in
dignation at the acton of canvassers, or
the stuffing of ballot boxes. These
deeds are now returning TO plague the
inventors, and they cannot with proprie-
ty cite the golden rule, having violated
1T themselves. Ballot box stufing, in
tlmidation, and throwing out votes so as
secure a certain result not otherwise OBJ
totainable are things to be deplored by
justice loving people. But theindignation
which the practice awakens in those who
stand ready to justify it when done in
then interest finds no response in the
breasts of citizens who are anxious to
preserve the integrity of the nation
Through the electoral commission the
supreme court indirectly though unmis-
takably gave its sanction to the practice
Trickery and crime were Incorporated as
ccmmendable features in she elections of
Florida, South Carolina and Louisiana.
The republican party in these states
passed from existence bat left these vile
practices as a legacy to the party which
succeeded. The democrats of the south
are by no means as expert in classifying
returns as were the republicans. The
latter played for that grand stake, the
presidency, and won.
The tickets printed on tissue paper
known as little lokers, were the inyen
ton OF republicans. An employee of the
United States treasury department boast.
openly that he put seventy of these
having the names Of the republican pres
ldentlal electors, into ballot box during
the election of 1876, and that those gave
the vote OF the state to Hayes. He wa
indicted III his native state, bat fled t.
Washington and was rewarded for hi
work by receiving the position he nov
holds. Everybody knows how the re
turning boards i'll the three ''couteste,
states" managed the counting of votes
Everybody knows the use which wa
made Of the United States army in Ties,
states. With all these facts before tn
people, how mblushing is tie efl'ront
cry which to-day is loud in denouncin,
frauds in the south which are virtues il
comparison with the vicious deeds o
republicans in 1876!
There is no virtue extant" in politic
at the south. Republican administra
tons sought by every means to max,
republican, states whose very tradition.
were democratic. To secure this enc
Federal patronage and Federal bayonet.
were brought into requisition. Southern
rgseoYYrt It vii take t1me e. Veal
the democracy from the practices incul
Gated by republican rule. But it is diff
cult to understand why experts in cor
ruptlon should not only enjoy immunit,
but should be rewarded for their crimes
While democrats who make a faint at
tempt to pattern after the misdeed
which gave Hayes the presidency, SHOULD
be denounced by that president, and ~
appropriation asked to punish in the one
what was rewarded in the other.
Democrats III these states having
large negro population, can urge in JUS
tlilcation OF their attempts to keep tn,
administration of power in their owl
hands, that negroes, having no taxabl,
property are naturally inclined to be ex
trayagant with the public money. 1t i
III Tact rs truggle on the part of those VIII,
would suffer most from the enactmen
OF bad laws and corrupt administration
OF affairs, to prevent the evils which the,
know would result from the dominatIo,
OF reckless negroes, unaffected by out
rageous taxation. Republicans ha,
nothing to urge in justification of thei
political crimes which in magnitude
"o'ertopped old Pelion" but the love O
spoil and the prosperity of party.