Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1879-05-01

Gen. Mcclellan Ca Democrat, and of
course originally inspired by the tradi-
tions Of the Democracy and he had
never known Democrat during the war
who did not profess intimate acquaint~
ance with the spirit and meaning of the
constitution, even il he could not read
its title-Gen. McClel!an had Issued or
ders during the war which he
tConkling) now read, interfering
very strongly to preserve the peace at
the polls, and suspending the habeas
corpus. 1t was some time after this
before Democrats Giscoversd the enor-
nifty OF such practices Two or three
years atterward they resolved that the
war was failure, and hoped by the aid
Of their northern syrnpathizers with.
rebellion to gain control Of the govern.
ment. The man selected as their candi~
date was then the same man who had
trampled the right of suffrage under
foot, and suspended that ancient writ, so
dear to Anglo-Saxons. Such things led
to the act Of 1866, not to confer power,
but to defns and restrain it It was
introduced by man of whom it Is
related that on one occasion he indiHet-
emily said: eco On with your draft. I
feel no interest in it. Kentucky's quota,
is fall on both sides.' Laughter.
Even after the words. cor keep the
peace at the polls' were added to his
bill, Mr.. Powell and other Democrats
urged the adoption Of the measure as
amended. It was not; as has teen
alleged, war measure, imperative in
peace. It was passed when the war was
; II its last throcs-when our armies were
victorious every where under Sherman.
Applause. 1t was meant to be, said to
be, and is & mere check.
! Coakling went On to analyze the pro-
visions Of the law to support his asser~
ton. Under the law troops 10 more act
without definite authority than sheriff
could hang culprit without q warrant
Of law. 1t also provided for the very
subordination Of military to civil power
now 50 earnestly advocated. Italso pro-
vides that troops shs IL not be used save
when necessary. His friend from Con-
necticut (Eaton) smiled. It was law
yer's smile, but his friend knew the
repose Of discretion somewhere was una
voidable. Discretion may be abused
and as humanity was weak it has been
abused from earliest times, but it was q
necessary evil. Why in heavens name,
in a republic where universal suffrage is
cherished, which is governed by MAORI
ties, should election day be picked out,
as the only day of the year to be handed
over to ruffianism?
!; Conkling referred to the Democratic
frauds bv false naturalization papers in
the New York elections. In some dis
tricts, he said, the Democratic majority
was larger than the whole number Of
men, women, children, horses, dogs and
cats in the district. Laughter Yet
fraud by false naturalization papers and
registration was but small part of the
irregularity OF that election. The cleo
ton of 1870 was the first in which the
national election law was enforced, and
bloodshed was feared. The terrible
scenes Of the draft riots were fresh in the
minds Of all, Fearing a repetition Of
them, good citizens asked the president
for protection, and in spite Of the impre-
cations and threats of TIE Democracy
the government protected them. That
election was orderly, and when New
Workers next have occasion to show their
appreciation of Grants services, his
action in 1870 touching this matter will
not be hidden away by those who
espoused him wisely. [Applause.l
II this bill becomes law, supervisors
OF election will he merly lockers on, un
able to deter DULLES from intimidatiDe
voters. Many men have been prosecuted
sna convicted under this law. Thecourts
uphold its ccnstitutionality; but thu
theory Of unconstitutionality has beer
abandoned. The Democratic caucus
itself has acknowledged TIE worthless
ness of that theory. We were told i
costs money to carry out this law. Ger
tainly it does. But the nation which
layished hundreds of millions to preserve
. its constitution wonld rot stick at tht
, payment of 100000 to preserve FREE
, elections. Applause
He then referred to the recent speed
2 Of Davis, Of Ill. Dropping into
satirical vein, he asked were rights sc
: cure, as his friend had said, when thou
F., sands of poor fugutives braved hunger
. cold and possibly death in their Ugh
I from oppression! "Verily order rel n
3 in Warsaw The Republican part,
2 seeks peace and prosperity everywhere
: but Disgusting truth will not bring it
l The lullaby and hush of talk abou
dying embers ard reconciliation ha,
} worked harm on both sides.