The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-14
How Troops have been Used at Elections,


From tho beginning to the close OF Gen.
GRANTS administration, the army and
navy were constantly used to prop up
carpet-bag governments In the South. and
to carry elections under the partisan
act OF 1865. The intention of the Republi-
can leaders was to have extended this
military supervision at the polls over all
parts OF the country where they were In O
minority; TO crush out every form Of oppo-
sition; and continue their rule indefinitely.
That was the object OF quartering a small
force In the heart Of this city, and OF
stationing two ships OF war TO command the
centre Of commercial activity, In 1870 The
experiment would probably have succeeded.
too, but for the resolute stand Of our local
authorities. The same year United States
marines were marched TO the polls in Phila-
delphia, and Gov. GEARY, though a stanch
Republican. made that audncious intrusion
the subject OF strong condemnation In his
regular message TO the Legislature.
After these tentative attempts 10 accus-
tom the people of the North to the presence
OF troops on election day had failed, they
were mostly directed to the Southern States,
where such outrages had been long prac-
tised, and could be repeated with greater
impunity. The most scandalous abuses
were perpctrated without even show Of
external decency. Take the following ex-
ample as an illustration Of the whole sys-
tenn. GEORGE Z. SPENCER was the carpet
bag Senator from Alabama, and he disposed
of troops to suit party necessities. as APP
pears by this letter addressed to the Sec
rotary Of the Republican State Committee:
"DrcArrR. Ala oct - ls72
my DrAR BARBER: Ihaye Just returned from Louis
VILE, where have been to Gen TERRY about troops
Tor Alabama.
"Ihavo had company OF cavalry sent to Livingston
Adetachment to Plckens County, company OF infantry
20 Eutaw. and a company to Demopohs, and company
TO Seals station, Russell County. Also squadron Of
cavalry report to L Marshal TnoHAs at Huntsville
81 wish RANpOLPH, Deputy United states Marshal, ,
would tile PAM al Orchka IN making arrests in
Tallapoosa, Ianiolph, and Ceburne as -- suggests
will be in Montgomery Thursday morning to attend the
meeting Of the State Committee. Iwoud sooner but
cannot. as tits important should stay here tomorrow
wish you would 80 to Ia!ladega and block that game
! must not however, be known IN the matter
The troops mentioned above will all be in their re-
spectve places IN two days from Some have
already arrived In haste, truly yours.
"GEoRor z. srrSorR"
KELLOGG, CHAMBERLAIN, STEARSs, and
others of the tribe to which SPENCER be-
longed followed in his footsteps that year,
and in 1874 the Legislature Of Louisiana was
captured by such barefaced frauds that Mr..
HoAR, Mr.. WHEELER and Mr.. FRYE of n
House committee were compelled TO admit
them. What the army did in louisiana in
South Carolina, and in Florida in 1876 is
familiar history The electoral votes Of those
three States could not have been stolen as
they were except by the aid Of troops sent
there expressly TO protect and TO assist the
scoundrels who did the work.
And as If to close the business httingly,
and TO complete the operations Of JOHN
SHERMAN and his confcdcrates in crime, two
thousand picked troops were collected at
Washington TO oversee the electoral count
with artillery trained on the House OF Rep
resentatiycs, with officers sworn to secrecy
and with orders and preparations as If a
state Of fragrant war actually existed at tho
capital. These last events are only two
years old; and yet, in the face Of an expert
ence dating back TO 1870 and continuing
through the two tcrns Of Grantsm Mr.
CONKLINO Mr. EDMUNDs, Mr.. CHANDLER
and the rest Of them, who are all now engaged
In an effort to give GRANT a third term
have the cilrOntcry 10 tell the people that
nothing is to be feared from the presence o
troops at the polls
In the view Of all rejecting mon, this Is
the most serious question ever presented IL
time Of peace, 1t means force to carry tho
next Presidency and to destroy free govern
mcut Not even force coming from tho
body OF the community, but hrelings OF
mcrconarlcs, most Of them not citizens NJ
all who are not required by the terms o
r.o'r enlistment TO take an oath 10 obey
the Constitution tut only To- swear they vii
obey the commands Of their superior officers
Lctitnot be said that the Fraudulent Prcsl
dent will never consent 10 the employment
OF troops at elections, or that existing law
Ms he pretends, forblds their presence at tn,
polls. lie is poor, weak creature, withou