Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1879-05-10

as competent voters. They embraced many
OF the most respectable men in the city, my
Represeatatives d Congress among the
number OF those arrested for false registra-
ton.
Yes, sir, Il am the Representative in Con-
gress whoswas one of those arrested for hav-
ing ffauGulentiy registered myself Us
voter / had lived in that CITY for many
years and am native of the State my resi-
dence was upon one OF the principal streets
of the city my law office was within four
blocks Of the Court House from which issued
these warrants; was in the midst of my
campaign, speaking every day and night,
and the daily papers contained notices OF my
movements and speeches and yet, sir, under
color of these most infamous laws and ten
thousand Of my feilow-citizens, as good, as
free, as honest and as guiltles5 as l. were
arrested and compelled to stand trial before
a United states Commissioner. Ten thous-
and men arrested before one Commissioners
five days before an election, deprived of the
right TO vote unless we could have trial and
be acquitted; a physical impossibility al
most that ali of us could be tried within
that time. Here, Mr.. Chairman, was one of
the most daring, infamous, fragrant out
RACES upon the rights and liberties OF citi-
zens, perpetrated in the interest and at the
behest of the Republican party, and yet that
party declares that we shall not repeal those
| laws, ard distinguished representatives OF
| that party assert that no grievance has been
/ suffered under them; that the question OF
| their repeal is a mere question of sentiment,
/ and that there is nothing real in our COM
| plants against their execution.
NJ E1ASNOtAS--Nf nut W a. tAG NAidk AnesuS
| against your
/ Mr.. EIlis-I was accused of having falsely
| registered myself a voter.
But Judge Campbell continues:
| "Never was such a picture of any commu-
! nifty as that. There were ten thousand lies
I sworn to in order to procure those warrants.
There was not a scintilla of proof, nor any
l desire to have any proof. Thirteen hundred
| and sixty cases were tried and dismissed
/ but IL effected the purpose The affidaVits
We're all made by two men, policemen, both
of them. / have read a portion of the afiida-
Wits myself piled up in the Court House
| covering table so high"
Citizens arrested upon the affidavits OF
peTjured partisans under color of this law
and vet we are told that no man has suffered
grievance by its execution. Three Thousand
citizens deprived of their right TO vote, and
yet we are coolly told by the party who per
petrated this outrage that the laws mus
stand in order that the 'ballOt may be safe
and the elections pure"
Mr.. Chairman, the Republican party de
clares it will appeal TO the people. Strive vii
Join them in that appeal; and l most fear
. fully mistake the tone and temper of tbs
great sovereign of rs all, the American peO
pie, if they do not sustain our action and de
. | clare. in manner and with an emphasis
that no one mistake, that these blot
| and blurs upon the statute-boOks shall b'
| repealed. But why not trust the people
| Are you prepared to assert that the Ameri
can people cannot be trusted with thu
management of their local elections withou
the supervision, espionage, and informed
| ding of the Federal Government?