The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-10-14
Democratic Dependencies.

The Democratic party has no hopes OF sue
cess through the operation OF free and
fair ballot 1t cannot hope to win the great
prize of the Presidency by an appeal to its
record, to the Intelligence Of the country,
or to the governmental policies its platform
foreshadows. There is only one possible
method for it to succeed, and to that we call
the attention Of every honest voter in the
State. 1t is by defrauding the Republicans
of the South of the right OF the elective
franchise, and through the votes OF the most
IGNORANT. debased and vicious of the inhab-
itants of the city of New York. IL will not
be denied that with a free aud fair ballot,
the States of Alabama, mississippi, Loulsl-
ana. South Carolina and Florida, would
certainly cast their electoral votes Tor the Re
publican candidates. 1t will not be denied
that the intelligence. wealth and integrity
of the city OF New York are largely repre-
sented in the supporters OF GARFIELD anu
Arthur. and eliminating from the vote OF
that city the debauched, corrupt, ignorant
and bebased elements, who know nothing
about our institutions and laws. aud VINO
care nothing about our government or the
principles upon which it is operated, the
Republicans would carry New York State
bv sc. 900 majority. 1t is. therefore, fraud
in the Southern States and debauchery and
ignorance in the Northern States, upon
which the Democratic party can alone de-
pend for success.
tt is not claimed that the colOred people
| of the South are as intelligent and capable
of exercising the elective franchise as the
white people of that section. 1t could not
be expected that such would be the case.
after two hundred years of slavery without
| mental and moral training But it is fact
worthy of note. that in a contest between
the two great parties of the country. no ap-
pliances. however corrupt, can induce them
TO betray the party of their identity, and
nothing but open and undisguised violence
and fraud could prevent them from casting
| Republican ballots 1t is a further fact that
demands recognition that they are equally
intelligent, and possessed of far more com
| men,labe characters than the many OF
the Democratic voters of New York city.
They are better and " ore useful citizens
less given to violation of law ana more in
sympathy with the interests OF the country
| than the main dependence of the Demo-
Gratis in the commercial metropolis OF Amer
lea.
The difference is that there is not pre-
cinct in the United States. as Gen. Grant
expressed it. where every Democrat cannot
| vote without molestation or fear Of violence,
| let the voter be ever so ignorant or I'M
worthy; while in some of the Southern
States. Republicans cannot exercise the
right of franchise without mourning hostile
demonstrations, or having his ballot sub
stantially destroyed.
| Even in Indiana. where neither the ele-
ment which is the source of corruption in
New York. nor that which lis the eX-
! cuse for violence and fraud in the South,
exists in any controlling degree. the Demo-
Gratis rest exclusively their hopes of success
upon fraud at the bailot-boX. They do not
depend upon an appeal to the intelligence
of the people for an approval of the princi-
pies of their party. but look to importations
from adjoining States. repeaters from the
great centres of political corruption. and
the methods of the bully and the black
guard. to win their battles.
1t is these sources of power that it is pro-
posed shall defeat the great industrial in
terests. the wealth and intelligence of the
country. and through them seize the control
of the government. There is no fusion or
alliance too corrupt and unprocipled for
them to favor to accomplish their purpose.
and the only hope of arrestng their advance
to power is in the restraints and checks OF
the virtue of the nation.