National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-11-18
AN OPEN BALLOT DENoUNCED.

Inc LyncnDufg IHymidR mas uOnneu u
new dress which presents it in a very comely
appearance, and now if it would bedeck
itself with modern principles aud manners
and cast aside its Bourbonism, it would
become a more agreeable companion and
be on better terms with its neighbors. 1t
is terribly chronic in its political iuiirmi-
ties. 1t now informs us that the Virginia
people the Bourbons, we suppose it
means" prefer the honest mode of voting
" Uird roce or an open ballot" With those
who seek to persecute, prescribe and ostra-
else class for differing with them politi-
cally, such contrivance for their exposure
is no doubt very desirable, and it can
scarcely be defended on any other ground,
where intolerance is the ruling spirit of
those who arrogate to themselves the cxclu-
sive right TO bo regarded rs citizens, and
who seek to know just how their neighbors
vote, that they may arraign them before a
tribunal of public sentiment created by
themselves aud punish by prescription and
ostracism. Every citizen is entitled to n
vote and TO cast his ballotsecretly or openly,
as it best pleases him, in accordance with
his own conscientious sense of duty. That
ballot expresses his individual wish.
! Nobody but himself is responsible for it,
nor has any one right 10 question it if it is
free-will offering that represents his indi-
vidual views and opinions, lawfully ex-
pressed. Where there is perfect liberation
as to sentiment and action, it matters not
whether q vote is given cird Uoce or by
secret ballot; but where men are pro-
scribed in their business and social rela-
tions on account of their voting adversely
to the wish of that ruling and malign spirit,
they are entitled, as an individual safe
guard against persecution, to enjoy the
protection of secret ballot. 1t is the
sacred right of every citizen to vote in ac-
cordance with the dictates of his own judg-
ment, and whatever interferes with the free
exercise of that right is unlawful and un-
just
If the Virginidn and those who think and
act with it would cultivate more lively
sense of liberation and recognize the right
of every citizen to form, entertain and exer-
else his own opinions lawfully upon all
matters of public concernment, without in
timidation, oppression or interference of
any kind, they would aid materially in
elevating the tone of our politics, in pro-
noting better era Of feeling between our
citizens and sections, and aid in restoring
the Nation to unity and peace The treat
ment bestowed upon the people of the
South, both white aud colored, who believe
in Republican principles and policies, has
been so intolerent and proscriptive that il
cannot, and will not, be fellowshipped, and
it stands like rock in the way of mutual
respect and good feeling. 1t has done more
to make solid North than all thinge else
combined since the war; and now that the
North has been solidiied it will remain 80
until the South relaxes its prescriptions and
terrorism, and shows works meet for re.
pentance. 1t will take time and honest
fruits to overcome the feeling of distrust
that now pervades every Northern State
1t will take more than decade, under the
most favorable circumstances, for the Nortl
to entertain as good feeling toward til,
South as was held the next day after its sur
render. Under Southern policies it ha
been growing worse for wears