New-York tribune., 1879-12-10
4 VORD 4BUUT MAINE.

We gave the Democrats OF Maine ialf VAIN
ng. If they reverse the will of the people.
and by fraud substitute "a Democratic majority
for Republican majority in the Legislature,
they will insure the election of o Republican
President in 1850. No fraud need be resOrted
10 by Republicans. They need use 10 tissue
ballots, load no shot-guns, organize no rifle
clubs. But they can adopt measures which
neither buldozing nor massacre at the South,
nor fraud in Maine or NewY York, can possibly
defeat. The object of the proposed fraud in
Name is well understood. Ii is TO secure such
control of election machinery that the Demo-
Gratis can count in their electors next year.
Against that danger Republicans can provide
by a method strictly constitutional. and Ill the
early history of the Republic generally en-
ployed Probably contemplation of the con-
sequences may lead the Democrats of Maine
to retrace their steps, and to abstain from the
meditated fraud.
The Constitution authorizes each State TO
appoint electors in such manner rs its Legis-
lature may direct. The Legislatures of New
York. Connecticut, New-Jersey, Ohio, and
every doubtful Northern State are now Re-
publican. II the infamous fraud threatened
In Maine should indeed be perpetrated, il
would not take one week to put through the
Legislatures of these States bills providing
for the appointment of Republican Presidential
electors for 1880. Disposition to resort to
this course will depend mainly upon the be-
havior of the Democrats. But for the at
tempted frauds in Oregon, South Carolina and
Florida in 1876, the resort to tissue-ballots
and rifles in 1878. and the revolutionary cOuIse
of Democrats at the last session OF Congress-
the loyal Moth would not have taken such
care as TO secure legislative control in every
doubtful Northern State. The conduct of
the Democratic party produced profound
alarm, in regard to the integrity of the pub
lie credit, but still more in respect to the
perpetuity OF free institutions. Republicans
in all Northern States were warned. Con-
servative and loyal men took care that there
should not be q single Northern State in
1880 in which the popular will could be de-
feated by trickery. fraud or force. What pos
sibilties of infinite mischief there were, la
Legislatures had been shown in Oregon, and
the Republicans quietly resolved 10 place
every critical Northern State in the hands of
loyal and faithful men before another Presi-
Dental election. That work has been done,
and those who represent the true opinion of
the North now hold the power to determine
in what manner electors shall be appointed
next year.
1t is TO be hoped that Democrats will see
fit to abandon the fraudulent aud viO-
lent methods to which they have seemed
disposed to resort. BY such methods
they can gain only sure defeat. The
Solid South, produced by fraud and out
rage, has resulted III a Solid North, whose
demands may as well be respected. 1t
demands peaceful and free election in every
Southern State, suppression of frauds in the
counting and returning of votes IN Maine and
elsewhere, and ballot-box protected by
United States laws. If the Democratic party
accepts these demands in good faith and un-
rcservedly, there will be no occasion TO guard
against it as public enemy. The Republi-
cans have no reason to shrink from an honest
election. They know that free and honest
votes, honestly counted, will result in every
Northern State in an increase of the over
whelming majorities of this year. Such a
decision the Republicans would infinitely
prefer to any other. But If the Democrats do
not dare to make fair appeal to the will of
a free people, and resort to fraud or force,
they may learn what a solid North can do TO
protect itself.
IL was the purpose and spirit of tho Consti-
tuition that the Presidential electors chosen in