Morning journal and courier., 1880-09-07
THE HOPE OF THE REPUBLIC.

THE HOPE OF THE REPUBLIC. The Democratic party is sensitive party.
 It is especially sensitive to any infringement upon the rights of voters. The freedom of the ballot is dearer to it and more desired by it than even the spells which go with politi- cal victory Consequently, when an assault, or anything that looks like an assault, is made on that freedom, all other work is dropped by
 the Democratic forces and grand rally is
 made in defence of ''the right preservatfve
 of all rights" To be sure, their eagerness in
 defence of this right sometimes makes them
 ridiculous but they console themselves by
 feeling and reiterating the importance of
 their mission.
 Certain manufacturers and business men of
 Vermont have recently given the Democratic
 party an opportunity to show it's sensitive
 ness and it's abhorrence of any interference
 with the freedom of the ballot. These man.
 ufacturers and business men, profoundly inn
 pressed with the importance of a
 victory for the principles of the Re-
 publican party, issued circular ad-
 vising working people to vote for the candi-
 dates who represent those principles. The
 circular contained. not one word or phrase
 which could possibly be understood a
 threat that failure to comply with it's advice
 would be followed by loss of employment,
 though it did contain arguments addressed to the understanding and judgment. But the sensitive and freedom-loving Democracy can not sit calmly by and see any voter subjected to even the bulldozing influence of fair argu- ment, and consequently a great howl has arisen from the party press. The Vermont workingmen are deeply sympathized with on account of the circular outrage upon their battled for with that courage and fervor which have always characterized it's defense by the Democratic party.
 But 1t is not alone in Vermont or other northern States that we find the Democratic party doing battle for the freedom of the
 ballot. That party is not sectional party,
 and it labors for the good of the whole coun- try. Consequently when ''the right preserv- ative'' is attacked in the South it rushes to
 it's defense with the same zeal and courage it
 displays in the North. Its methods of de- fense are, it is true, different in the latter section, but So is the South different from the North. The freedom of the ballot has lately been in some danger in South Carolina, and Wade Hampton led the Democratic forces in it's defense. This is the way he cheered them on: "Try to convince the negro that we are his real friends; ;. but if he will not be convinced, and is still joined to his idols, con- vince him at least that he must look to those idols, whom he serves his gods, to feed and clothe him. Agree among yourselves and act firmly on this agreement, that you will not employ any one who votes the radical ticket" Ex-Governor B. F. Perry, man dear to Andrew Johnson and General Han cock, has also struck powerful blows in de- fense of the freedom of the ballot in South Carolina. One of them is as follows:
 Every true Democrat and every honorable man should risesup in the majesty of his strength, and swear on the altar of his coun- try and his God that this (Republican success) shall not be, let the consequences be what they may. The poor, miserable unprincipled white man who tries to restore the radical party to power in South Carolina should be | socially ostracised, and not even spoken to on | the street. He should be treated ene- my to his race. Hostis h16aaa7st ge7oe71s SEThe l colored man should be told that his leaders 1 are making tools of him only to gratify their 1 pitiable ambition, and have chance of steal | ing his hard earnings. He should be told, l too, that if he will vote to place rogues and | scoundrsls in office and power no honorable | Democrat will employ him in any way. This | throughout the State. Social ostracisnl for l the white man and no employment for the l colored
 The Greenville News does not wish to be l behind Hampton or Perry in the good work, and therefore it declares
 We mean that the white skinned man or | negro who deliberately enters the fight for a | radical State ticket will do so with the under | standing that he will hereafter receive no fa- | vors or recognition from white men. Let | them understand that there will be no en- ployment for them where 1t IS possible to avoid it; that there will be no credit given them: that from them the last farthing will | be relentlessly exacted that the kindness of masters will cease.
 And the Aiken Journal falls into line with 8 call for the reorganization of the fred shirt clubs,' and urges them to get at work breaking up Republican meetings.
 Those melancholy ones who feel that the Republic is in danger can take heart. So long as the freedom of the ballot can be pre- served there is hope The Democratic party, he party of the whole country, .has prom sed that it shall be preserved, and is taking vigorous measures to that end, especially in he South, where the danger is greatest. That party has never yet failed to keep it's It saved the Union once (accord- ng to Ben Butler) when it was threatened with dissolution by armed traitors. It will ave it now if red shirt clubs, shot-guns os- racisnl and ''branding'' can do the great and loble work.