Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-11-13
A Pure Ballot.

on the fourth of November last, was
parody on the purity Of the ballot.
Already evidence enough has accu-
mulated to convince, even the most
malcvolent partisan, that the whole
thing was simply roaring farce, n
reeking comedy. There is not, we be-
lieve, an honest Republican within the
corporate limits Of Pennsylvania
great metropolis, who does not think
that the returns offered n the result of
the late election, are knowingly incor-
rect and deliberatS perversion of the
expressed will of the people The cleo
tion officers, who assumed their rcSpon-
sible positions underth solemnity OF an
oath, STEPPED their souls in perjury to
lay this offering of fraud and violence
upon the altar of a depraved Republ-
can domination. We do not believe
there is an honorable man upon either
side, who will not now acknowledge
that the Republican vote as announ-
ced on the evening of the fourth of
November was false and fraudulent.
There is not a man in Philadelphia
who took sufficient interest in the elcc-
tion to note what was going on, who
does not know that the number Of
votes rs returned never went through
the Windows The election machinery
is III the hands Of as desperate and bold
Il set of men a ever cursed a free coun-
try. The fact that stands out in bold
relief il simply this: The vote for
Butler in Philadelphia j. over four
thousand more than that cast for Gen
cral Hoyt Every one knows that the
election last year for Governor was of
the most exciting character, and that
an active, vigorous and demonstratiye
campaign was carried ON by both par.
ties. The public interest was aroused
and full vote was of course the con-
sequence. The election this year was
distinguished by nothing more than
the apathy of party leaders and the
indifference Of the people And yet
in the face of this, the political round
dcrs who answer for Republican cleo
ton officers in the first city of our
Commonwealth return in this off year
a larger vote than WAS cast for Hoyt
1t is time that this moustrous. organi-
zcd system Of fraud should be stricken
down, and the Democracy of the coun-
try earnestly call upon the true heart
cd. loyal and unsclfsh men of the par
ty in Philadelphia, TO bend their en-
ergies TO the task of bringing these
scoundrels to deserved punishment.
Full rein and scope seem to have
been given to the repeater's brfy
and the large majority given Butler
Is due to their system of false persona
ton. Let Naux and MCGOWAN, and
Cassidy and Randall forget for a
while their personal grievances, and
unite in vindicating the Democratic
party of both City and State by the
prompt and faithful prosecution of all
concerned in this gigantic fraud. Can
it be that such proceedings as these are
to GO g,S~1/, :, of justice? Is there
no .%LNel ~, whose duty it is to
isa /qz "a. pendous outrage upon
- %>l this mockery of free
q 1t was premeditat-
s.s,ully prepared for. The
l75nsors of these men sit in the high
places of power, and the time has now
come when Leeds, StokeIy, Lane and
Rowen should know that they are not
omnipotent; that there is power be-
hind the throne, mightier than the
throne itself. Outraged decency will
relentlessly drag them to the bar Of
public opinion, and the verdict will be
that they should be remanded forever
to the obscurity that always, sooner or
later, envelopes the faithless servants
of the people. In the meantime, while
awaiting the stern retribution that GER
tainly and surely will overtake the
masters, We call for the condign pun
ishment of the servants. Lane plants
and StOkely waters, but just as sure as