New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-06-16
80 HONECTv W

Our Democratic friends clam to have for
INFLATED the issues for 1880 out of the results
of the called session, and to be cOntenicd with
Their work. For their cOntentment with 1t,
we apprehend they are very much in the sit
uation described by the Dutchman, who in re-
ply to an inquiry concerning his lSely de-
ceased wife, said 4" Resigned Mem Colt, she
g had to be-" AT any rate there is the work,
and they must make the best of it, Their
opponents certainly are satisfied and viii meet
them cheerfully upon the points in dis
pute. The Democrats have condensed and
epitomzed the whole controversy in the
demand which they propose to fling out
upOn their banners for Free EleC-
TONS" 1t is perhaps as terse a statement as
could be made has a good sound impresses
into party service qualifying word which
they have had no stomach for since " Free
"Soilr first began to win victories; and is, upon
the whole as good for the next as Reform
was for the last campaign. The Republicans
are quite willing to give them their way; TO
LET the case be doeketed for the court of last
resort, and the verdict of the people, as an
appeal for Free" against Honest cleo
tons. and on that take testimony and hear
arguments.
The grievance they bring forward is Federal
interference at the polls; and under this gen.
eral head they specifically allege that Repub-
lican policy has stationed soldiers with bay
onets. and United States Marshals with orders
of arrest at the ballot-bOxes Grant it, But
the honest voter, who sees no bayOnet actu-
ally at the polls, and fears no arrest in the
discharge of his right and duty. will inquire
as to the bayonet business; when it began
what caused it; when it ceased, and why; and
what are the dangers to be apprehendcd. Such
inouiries lead him back into the history OF
a Democratic attempt 10 use the Army
at the polls, twenty-five years ago, TO force
slavery on free territory; of Democratic
rebellion of its suppression of the neces-
sitv for garrisOns in captured towns, and OF
their continuance to uphold an emancipated
race in the exercise of the rights of citizen
shin of their final withdrawal and the ST.
lencing of the voice and vote of the oppressed
race from that moment; and at last of the
Democratic demand that the National Govern
mcDt should-not withdraw the bayOnets /;
they had long been withdrawn-abdlcate
its own supremacy, and surrender the prin-
chile upon which 1t had fought and won a
costly war. The Republican party is quite
willing 10 let the voter go to the record On
that appeal.
The honest voter, who, contemplating no
crime, fears no arrest, when appealed to on
behalf of Free Elections TO register his
protest against Federal supervision, will be
very likely also to ask the reason for it. The
inquiry takes him back upon the record, and
lands him plump upon the transactions of the
Democratic party in 1865, which disclosed
the necessity for some measures 10 prevent
the repetition of gigantic frauds As Repub-
licans, we are willing he should decide be-
tween the two parties on that showing. Or if
he asks why the repeal of the Federal Super
yisors law is demanded by Democrats, and is
answered by the latter that it is an infringe
ment of the rights of the States, as is
their claim, we can well afford TO
leave him TO the use of his own
intelligence, and the exercise OF his own rea-
soning powers, to find out the effect OF that
concession upon the stability, credit and per-