New-York tribune., 1879-02-28
n1cLrlLLNnNE - nE LT.o

The subject under discussion Was the De
Gcicncy BIZ, making an appropriation todciry
cxprn,cs already incurred in the enforcement
Of the law of February %. 1871, providing
against fraudulent elections; and the question
was upon a partisan amendment offered by
Mr.. Beck, of Kentucky, the spirit of which was
hostile to the law and its enforcement. It
WAS rejected bv vote of yeas 81, nays 80, on
which Mr.. Beck joyfuIly exclaimed Within
3" one Of if. thank Cod" 1t being a party
question. as all QueStiOns are that re-
late to the purity Of elections, this te1yent
ejaculation was no doubt meant to express
the low of the Kentucky Senator that the
Democrats were "withIn one" of a
control Of both branches of the Leg
islatiye Department Of the Government.
Tn this case they were "within one
Of being able to defeat the provisions
of law whose only purpose is to secure
honest registration, honest voting and an
honest election. 1t is a law which,
while it has prevented cheating and
violence in thousands OF cases, has
never in single instance that can he proved
worked any substantial harm to an honest
citizen. 1t has obstructed none but re-
peaters and rOgues, and 1t has pro-
tected thousands of honest voters in
the exercise Of their rights, giving
to each his full measure of influence in the
Government by preventing rascals from dis
honestly overriding his vote and Sllencing
his voice. This we say, notwithstanding SEN
stor Voorhees, statement that he had "bren
told that forty or fifty of the most respectable
"citIzcns of Baltimore ale now languishing
"in prison" for violation of its provisions
and notwithstanding Senator Thurman's Iu-
dgnation at what he calls " the reign of
"terror instituted III New-Y0rk by Da-
"venport." In the face of these loose
and irresponsible assertions We take leave
to say that no honest man languishes
in iail under it, operation, nor does any hon
est man stand anywhere i'll fear of its en-
forcement. 1t il because the Democratic
party has come "within one" of strength
enough to defeat the operation of this law or
effect its repeal that the Kentucky Senator
raises his "Thank Cod"
"Wi.hin one of it /" Well, it is not the first
time the Democratic party has come within
zone" Of being able to do mischief 1t is little
molc than twenty years since they undertook to
fastcn slavery upon new territories, and came
"within one - of it only eighteen since they
attempted to break up the Union and destroy
the Government, and came within one -
of that. too. In the midst of the
war they proclaimed the effort to sup
pres. rebellion a failure, and came within
tone" of making the declaration good. They
denounced the enrolment lIws, and said they
could not be enforced BY draft riots and
peace meetings they came within one" OF
making that threat also good. They attacked
the National credit in 1865 and hy the cnor-
nous frauds in this city, by which they Sc
cured the vote of Ncw-YO?k for their PrcsI-
Dental ticket, came within onep of success.
In 1876, they again attempted population by
adopting resolutions opposed 10 resumption,
and camc literally "wihin one Of elccImg
u President who woud have been com
PEELED 10y lis party 70 sign q bill pOstp0uing
RESUMPTION. They came within Onc,r too
Of uicIiins the country 10y hyporritical Re
form cry. Then through Grover and Cronin
they came within Ono' of getting a vote for
Tl!dcn in Oregon; through Pelton and Marble
" within one Of trade ~ Florida through
Pclton and Smith Weed within one - of
stealing South Carolina; and through other
coInrccntr-, within one" of getting the
vote OF Louisiana by bribery. They came
within one of carrying the Electoral Com
mission. and "within one" Of defeating
the count 10y riot and disorder Always with
"in one" of it. And always, as they SO