The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-12-13

tive offices. For the most part, the
election all over the State was quiet
and peaceable; good order prevailed
the election laws were executed in q
spirit of fairness and justice, and the
result may be taken as the honest ex-
preston of the will, and the choice OF
the great body of suffragans. To this
general truth there Is, it is true, an
occasional exception, either real or
arising from natural spirit of discon-
tent, Disappointment, and opposition.
So far as there is any reality in any
dissatisfaction with the result of the
election, growing out of any abuses,
or of any want of fairness and perfect
Justice in the administration Of the
law governing the ballot, it is mat
ter of earnest regret, and of the most
uncompromising censure and denun-
citation. 1t is a dear and sacred right !;
that of a people to choose their own
rulers aud public officers and every
popular election is, i'll theory, and
should be in fact, an honest, free, and
unbiased expression of the choice Of
the ma GRITTY. 1t may be that the fra
mers of the constitutions and laws that
now govern the people, have acted I'M
wisely in extending the elective fran
ehise, and prescribing no conditions
except those of age, citizenship, and
sex. 1t may be possible that it would
be wise to curtail, limit, and restrict
the right to vote, and contine it to
classes or individuals who could meet
the requirements of educational, or
even other qualifications. 1t may be
possible that it would add much to the
safety and perpetuity of the republic
to restrict and limit, rather than ex-
tend and enlarge the right to vote.
Some enlightened countries, governed
by wise, liberal, and just constitutional
laws, have pursued the policy of con-
filming the ballot to certain classes and
it has been found to work admirably,
and result not only in the selection of
most excellent and faithful officers,
but in general satisfaction to the great
mass of the people.
But whether our policy on this sub
ject is wise or unwise, is not the ques-
ton under consideration nor do we
propose to discuss it now and here.
The point we make, and for which we
shall always contend with all the force
and with all the earnestness Of our
nature is, that whatever be our policy
and our laws, let them be fairly, hon
estly, and faithfully executed. Let no
fraud be perpeprated. Let no man
who has right to vote be denied or
prevented the full and free exercise of
the right, without fear, threat, or in
timidation. And if any man dares to
violate the rights Of a citizen in this
regard, no odds how humble he may
be, or how high and great the violator
may be-let him be not considered too
high or too great to be held to strict
account before the law for his wrong.
Let him suffer to the fullest extent the
penalty of the law. If we have a gov
eminent of laws, our motto is, and
shall ever be, to live up to them, in
the spirit as well as the letter to have
every violation Of them punished, and
every man taught that the laws must
be respected and obeyed. A feeling of
reverence and respect for the laws of
the land, and for the legal rights of
every citizen, however humble and
friendless he may be, must be incul-
Gated, and taught and enforced till no
man dare utter sentiment against it,
Any other policy is ruinous and sub
versive of the very foundation on
which the fabric of our free institu-
tons rests. a departure from this
will not do under any circumstances.
The popular dogma that "the end JUS
titles the means,n is always appealed
to by violators Of law; but it is utterly
fallacious and dangerous in the ex-
IRENE. Sometimes, in cases of great
outrage and wrong, where some mon
5ter of human depravity has perpe-
trated some hOrrid and horrible crime
that outrages whole community, the
very best men will, for the moment,
ose their respect and veneration for
5he law and its prescribed methods,
and falling into the whirlpool Of pop
liar passion and indignation, they
DIN the mob, and assist in executing
/ swift and terrible vengeance on the
yiIe culprit. The case we put is a very
.xtreme one, and perhaps one in a
thousand might be tolerated, prOvid-
d you could always have good men,
nd the very best citizens to cOnsti- I
ute and control the mob. But there is
he danger. Once establish the prin-
iple that the tend justifies the means"
nd very soon the good men and the
'est citizens will be found i'm a fearful
and will themselves, in time,
all victims to the spirit of lawless- {
less which they themselves have in
-oked.
We repeat, any departure from a /
trict obedience to the laws, and the
ighest respect and veneration for
hem; and the most sacred regard ,
Dr the rights of each and every MEM :
er of the social compact, will be found
angerous and mischievOus in the ex-
RENE.
But to return to our starting point.
or the most part, the election was
lir, and our whole people are satisfied I
nth the result.
In looking over the names of those !
Tho will compose our next Legisla- C
IRE, we are gratified to find very '
lany OF our most solid and substan-
al citizens We see the nanps of