Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-09-04

| " hiAS1i SShoS VI ll1S ldSN, anu W III IcSCU
them the rights of free men and the modes
of maintaining those rights. In some
of the states they are in the majority. and
they will exercise their political bower
as such either in harmony with the
whites or in opposition to them. While
this race conflict is kept up by oppres.
sion and wrong, the southern States can.
not improve, and must continue to be in
decaying condition, and their relative
power will be greatly diminished in the
next census. Their credit is impaired
and several of them are debating schemes
OF repudiatiop. They have turued back
! the tide OF industrious immigration that
flowed upon them after the war closed
and now, there is no disposition in the
north to either migrate or to invest in
| property in the south, and it will not
be until the right of fgovernment is
restored to the majority of the people.
[ had hoped that the evil effects of the
mississippi plan" would have caused
the formation of a conservative party in
| these southern states which would have
protected the freedmen in their consti-
| tutional rights, and restored again to
credit and confidence these several states.
| believe there is ample material for the
formation of such party, but it seems
now utterly helpless and powerless in
the grasp of lawless elements, who form
themselves into rifle clubs and klans,
and ride roughshod over the rights of
the freedmen, as we'll as the inter SITS of
the planters and business men.
This policy of fraud and violence in
the south should have been met by the
firm and determined opposition of the
democratic party of the north. This
party could have checked such scenes, as
it could have checked the commence
ment of the war; but by denial of the
truth, and from interested participation
in the results of violence, the democratic
leaders have sanctioned and encouraged
that violence and fraud, and vote in daily
cooperation with those who have par
ticipated in it.
What, then, is the remedy if this policy
is continued? There is none other ex-
cept an appeal to the loyal people of the
nor hern states, to all who were on the
union side in the war, in action or in
sympathy, and to the independent nam.
hood of the democratic party, to stand
by our political organization until the
rights of all men are secured, enforced,
and respected IN every state and territory
in the union and this appeal should be
made now and next year, and as sure as
God rules in the heavens il will not be
made in vain.
The republican party asks nothing of
the south, but the observance of the con-
stitution and the laws, and, especially, the
amendments which they agreed to after
the war. 1t does not seek to oppress.
1t encourages none of the bitterness
of war. 1t fairly appreciates the
difficulties of their position, and would
gladly join with them in developing
their resources, diversifying their indus.
tries, and adding to their wealth, but it
is bound in honor to see that the benefits
of the amendments adopted by its policy
shall be extended to the freedmen of the
south who have been loyal and true to
their principles, but faithful and forbear-
ing TO the white men of the south.
MULTIPLICATION OF ELECTION LAWS.
There is another question intimately
connected with this southern question,
and that is the freedom of elections.
am glad to be able to agree with General
Ewing when he says: "The question OF
free elections has assumed a prominence
never before given it, although the stat
utes out of which it arises have been
long in force, and the democracy have
heretofore repeatedly attempted to repeal
them" The republican party is deter
mined to have not only free, but fair
elections, cost what it will. AS he says
the United States statutes providing for
such elections have been long in force.
They are made in pursuance Of plain
provision of the constitution, which de-
clares that congress may at any time by
| law make or alter the regulations Of the
| legislature of each state as to the time,
places, and manner of holding elections
for senators and representatives.
| This provision as to senators has been
| long exercised, and every member of the
senate holds his office under law passed
| by congress. The same power was eX,
ercised eight years ago as 10 representa-
tives in congress, in cities containing 90,
Quo inhabitants, where upon the appllca
ton of a certain number of people OF
both parties, supervisors may be ap'
pointed, with deputy marshals, to keep
the peace at the polls. This law was
caused by the reckless, criminal course
ofthe democratic party at the presiden
tial election of 1868, when over 10000 il
/
box. 1t was a fearful crime, which
struck at the foundation of civil institu
tions, and might have caused a civil wal
if the result had depended npon the vote
of the state of New York. The law has
also been appealed TO in the southern
states as a remedy for fraud and violence
at the congressional elections there. L
has been appealed to by both parties Its
| hoc haar1 iii T11ta6
in any court, though several times en-
forced in many states. This law, Gen
Ewing says, the democratic party at
tempted to repeal and failed. 1t re
mains the law of the land, but the house
of representatives of the last congress
then refused to pass bills for the suppOr
of the army unless the senate would con
sent 70 repeal the law. They adjourned
congress without passing the great ap
preparation bills. The present congres:
again refused to pass either the army Of
the legislative bill unless the presiden
would approve the repeal of law. The
vetoes of the president are approved BY
every republican in the United States
and are models of clear and conclusive
statement. The democratic members
then tried to nullify the law. Members o.
congress are sworn TO obey the law
They are bound by honor and duty tC
obey it until lawfully repealed, but they
disregarded their duty and defied the
law. If they are justified in that ma
jority of either house may nullify any
law, however important. This is the
position of the democratic party, more
dangerous position than the attempted
notifications Of the tariff laws by South
Carolina, put down by General Jackson
or even the attempted secession of sev
eral states, put down by civil war. By