Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-03-29
Daily Nennebet Journal.
Augusta, Saturday MOrn'g, Mar. &c. 1879
Stand East !.

The attempt to open wide the gate OF
corruption and fraud at the election in 1880
has commenced The army appropriation
bill was introduced in the Senate Thurs
day, including the clause which prohibits
the presence of troops at the polls. In
the other appropriation bills there will
likewise be Incorporated provisions to re-
move other safeguards to purity and free
dom of elections. so that if the bills are
passed in the shape insisted upon by the
democrats the election laws will be re-
pealed. The alternative presented by the
democracy is to repeal the election laws or
stop the wheels of government
Laying bare the exact intent of this un-
constitutional and revolutionary proceed
ing. it is to secure the vote of New York
by fraud. in 1880, for the democratic candi-
date for President. 1t is not to make sure
a solid South for the democracy, for that
they already have. The bulldozers and
the White League have beaten down all
opposition to their rule the South. They
hold and control the ballot-boxes in that
section. They have established a despot-
ism in regard to suffrage that regards no
right of individuals to vote other than the
democratic ticket. no laws of Congress
to promote fair and free elections. In an
election in which freedom of choice be-
tween parties were permitted several of
the Southern States would east large and
decisive republican majorities; but under
the tyranny of force and fraud which pre-
walls at the South we are compelled to adj
nit that that section is solid for the de
mocracy. Slavery has been abolished in
the South in name but not entirely in fact.
No need of repeating election laws for
that section, for there they are dead let
ter without repeal.
The proposed repeal of the election laws
then is essentially forefiect in the northern
States, and especially in New York With
a solid South for the democratic candidate
for President only IA few electoral votes
will be required in the North to give him
the majority. New York alone will fur
nish nearly the requisite number. With
no check upon the repeaters, rutlans, bal
lot-box suffers and other cheats and
frauds notorious in the most corrupt
city in the country, what hope can
there be that New York will be any
thing but democratic9 Repeal the election
laws says the Tammany democrat and the
democratic President is sure to be
elected. So think the democratic
majority in Congress, and for this
and this only they are now threatening the
peace of the country by their revolutiona-
ary course in Congress
Against the wicked designs of the con-
spirators IN Congress we trust the republic
cans will make unyielding and resoute
opposition. Let the democratic majority.
under the lead of the scores of ext onfed-
crates in both branches, 90 to the country
if they choose loaded with the great re-
sponsibility which this extra session will
cast upon them if they persist in stopping
the wheels of government unless the cleo
ton laws are repealed. Whatever evil
effects result they must bear ting odium.
The appropriation bills might have been
disposed of at the last session but for
them. The extra session is their work
1t might have been brief and without spec
ial injury to the !, ubic interests, but the
extraordinary course of the democracy in
forcing unconstitutional Legislation threat
ems to make the session not only long but
stormy and to put in jeopardy the public
welfare and even the national safety.
Above all we hope that President Hayes
will stand as firm as granite against the
assaults of the ex-Confederate democracy
upon his prerogative. Now is his golden
opportunity to draw to himself the hearts
of all good citizens of the republic Let
him keep firm hand upon the helm and
the good ship of State will pass securely
through the dangers ahead. The honor
arising from duty well done now in our
present critical circumstances will east in
TO oblivion all dissatisfaction which has
existed hitherto with his administration
All republicans will hail him, "well done,
good, and faithful servant, if he resists
unfiinchingly his assailants and the enc
mics of the constitution. For the national
welfare, for his own reputation, let Pres-
dent Hayes stand firm and give the mad
men in Congress the opportunity they have
sought to dash their party i'm plecpS
Washington News.
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