The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-09-18


The circular from the Democratic natio-
nal committee charging the Republicans
of Mains with fraud IL q plain statement
of facts rs they exist On, the day after
the election. Senator Blaine conceded the
election of the Democratic candidates for
congress in the third, fourth and fitch dis
triots, and also the election of Gov. Plat
sted The opposition candidate for governor
tho iattsrss majority being conceded By
Blaine to be l.o0o. and claimed by the
Dem5cr committee TO be ut least 8 900.
and thestste was known to have been car
ried by the Democrats when the facts were
stated. The effect upon the country was
electrical. It Inspired the people every
where with courage and hopefulnsss for
the future. The supporters OF Gen. Han
cock we're greatly encouraged and the
Republican cause greatly depressed. The
leaders Of the Kepublican party had pre-
pared for grand celebration all over the
country. They had sent broadcast the
news, that Maine was sure to be Republi>
can By from 10000 to Is, 900 majority.
and none of them placed the majority
lower9 than 5000. They had reckoned
upon the result for % years as basis for
their claims. and were so firmly eutrench-
ed in the state. all the machinery of the
government being in their hands. that
they were thunderssruck at the unexpect-
ed result. and Immediately set 70 work to
check the current in favor of the Demo-
craoy. In the face of SO clear a'Democra-
tic majority. the Task was Q difficult one.
but Blaine and his cohorts began the task
and at once the report was autographed
thae the result was in doubt; this was the
FIRST movs.9 c--9e f.sKx
The next was 20 take procession Of thu
wires in Maine and to send agents 10 th,
remote towns 80 that the necessary msior
ity could be patched up. When bis worI
had fairly begun. the people were infsrm'
ed BY Blaine that there was q chance fo
Davis, lRepublican) election. The mex
was somewhat holder, and il was an.
nounced by Blaine. that the Republi-
cans had made heavy gains" in the small
country towns. This was evidence that
the plot was working and the Republicans
began to- hope that. perhaps after all,
Blaine was equal TO the emergency, and BY
the aid OF the paid tools in his employ.
could count out" Plaistsd. and thus .he
state be saved by scratch. Every hour
has intensified the feeling until now, the
work OF defeating the will of the people
seems accomplished, Blaine boldly claims
the states That the result,if attained, is by
the most glariDg frauds and bribery, NO
one. not blinded partisan. will doubt, for
1t is known that the state was not carried
by the Republicans. and that the defeat
was crushing one. Here we have the
spectacle of a senator of the United States
shopping to the depths of political deprav
lty and boldly purchasing the vote of
portion OF the state of Maine, in order to
serve bis party. There is danger to the
the people. danger to our free
institutions. If this caunot be
checked. for unless it can be,
the right of suffrage becomes a farce and
our political system debachery, It is an
attempt on smaller scale to repeat the
tactics OF l876-that great crime against
she people, the one dark spot in our his
tory and calls for condemnation from
every patriotic citizen. The right of sui
frags should be sacredly guarded-it is
the buiwark of our institutions and should
be the potent weapon of the people, and
not the INSTRUMENT of debssed psrties or
politicians,
Aet Us rise in our might in November
next and rebuke these political thieves
and tricksters who attempt to defy the
will Of the people, and seek 60 prostitute
the ballots OF freeman for base, partisan
purposes.