Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-09-11
A VITAL QUESTION.
Shall the Southern Rebels Make
A Mockery of Freedom
Unchallenged?

A few weeks since the Inter Ocean de
clared that the democratic party of thi
country must be voted down or whipped
down. Precisely what was meant by thi
assertion was fully explained in the ar
ticle where it was used, aud there was NJ
excuse for misinterpreting it. We said
1T is simply a question whether i
the democratic party) will allow itsel
TO be fairly beaten at the polls or compe
its own EXTERN nation on the field. Al
organization which permits no votes tC
be Cast, where it has the power, excep
those favorable TO its own triumph, Car
never peaceably assume the control o
this country"
There have been various attempts tC
pervert the meaning of the words thus
employed, but it does not matter. In
almost any sense In which they can be
interpreted they are true. Even should
! the democratic party succeed in the mex
presidential election by fair vote, and
| take possession of the government in
| peace, it is almost certain that the con
| duct of the extremists who rule that or
ganization would be such that an event
ual resort to arms would become neces
sary to save the country from disgrace
and disintegration
| The fact is, there will be no peace on
| thi question Of rebellion. secession, and
stae rights until the democratic party is
eXterminated.
1t is essentially and inherently dis
loyal.
1t is arrayed in rebellion against the
| laws, and spits upon the constitutional
| III Jpoo ONT, id
1t deties the federal power, not only in
| matters of Suffrage, but in the most or
binary attempts 10 enforce the laws and
assert the national authority.
To-day the liberty of citizens is more
| insecure in the southern states, w ere
democracy most thrives, than it was in
| the palmy days of slave driving.
"The nation cannot permanently en-
dure," said Lincoln, "half slave and half
free"
Neither, say we, can it endure with
one-half recognizing the sacred rights of
the citizen, and the other half brutally
disregarding them; with one.half in
theory and practice recognizing the re-
publican-demOcratic principles of a
government, "of the people, for the peo-
pie, and by the people," and the other
nalf conducted in opposition to this
principle, and in all substantial points
constituting itself tyrannical and lnso
lent oligarchy.
One of these must give way; they can
not exist for any length of time side by
side, and the Inter Ocean has no hesita
lion in expressing its belief that should
The former half, faithful 10 the principles
of free and untrammeled ballot, be
over-slaughed by the latter through an
utter disregard of these rights. the time
will have come for resistance and for
wiping from the face of this continent
the men and the party who thus seek to
bring republican institutions into con-
tempt.
There is not county in the north tha at
would submit to local officials foisted
upon it through a wholesale denial of
the ballot to citizens legally entitled to
it, Why should greater moderation be
expected when the nation itself is the
field and the men perpetrating the colos-
sal fraud and iniquity are the open and
declared enemies of the union?
The sprinkling of loyal Democrats in
The North will be helpless to prevent the
contemplated outrage. Their places,
when the emergency arrives, will be with
Republican masses, as during the war,
and if trouble is avoided it will be be-
cause united and determined front is dis
played, and because the traitors to liber-
ty are given to understand, positively
and unmistakably,' that this national bull
doing will not be submitted to. The
outrages perpetrated in the South upon
freedom of speech and personal liberty,
and the opprObium heaped upon the I'm
ion and Union men, are insults to every
Democrat Of the North, as we'll as every
Republican, who loves his country. We
do not envy the patriotism of an Amer
ican, whatever his polite, who can read
the following letter without glow of re-
sentiment aud indignation, and yet it is
but sample of those reaching this office
almost every week:
| To the Editor of The Inter Ocean
LAREDO. Texas Aug. 29.-Prohably you would
like To hear kow the Fourth of july the day that
| all Americans should respect, passed in this
| part of Texas. = { Pleasanton early In the morn
| the Confederate dag was hoisted on the flagstaff
few OF the old citizens wished to take IL down,
| nut were prevented by the mob, who drove them
of with threats of their lives If they attempted
IT. and so the secession flag was left flying until
night, with threats freely made that within two
seas the same flag would be fSing over the Cap
| ltol at Washington. The day was spent in drink
ny foastS 10 Jen Davis, the COnfederacy, and the
| democratic Congress. One was shot for
making the remark that 1t was shame.
At Cuero u few German citizens were about to
hoist the stsrs and stripes and 10 fire salute, hut
were prevented from doing so by The Deputy
| MARSHAL with crowd at his back. who told the
Germans that it was against the law and dignity
pf the State and that if thev attempted to do so
again they would be given twen;y-four hours to
leave the country.
AN AMERICAN
and one who loves his country above party
a very prominent and respected citi.
zen Of the South in a visit to the Inter
Ocean Office the other day, said that no
one not familiar with public sentiment
down there could realize how entirely
the minds Of the people were made up
10 the early revival and triumph of the
''lost cause" Their success in BULLDOG
ing their States into the Democratic
ranks and in driving out white Union
men has blinded and intoxicated them,
and they look forward to a speedy and
permanent triumph for their principles.
Knowing that four out of every five of
he Southern States are Republican on a
fair ballot, they propose to keep them
Democratic by the knife, the torch, and
the shotgun. While their political friends
in the North are granted every privilege
and cast their votes without fear, they
boldly declare that the Republicans of
the South shall have no choice, but shall
cover in their cabins or vot- the Demo
cratic ticket on pain of death. And
these blind fools suppose that an cleo
ton carried by such means will be tame
ly submitted to by the North, and upon
such vote this great nation will be turn
| ed over to them.
They are reckoning without their
host. They are binding themselves,
and walking into the pit that is before
| them