Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-08-26

pose OF the South-the Democratic
party being the tool used for the pur-
pose-to obtain control of and rule
this country at all hazards? For if it
Is to have control, we have already seen
for what purpose. We have seen that
whole majorities are disfranchised at
the South. Frauds Of the most glar-
ing character were perpetuated in the
North as well-notably in New York
City-by which the voice Of the peo-
pie was silenced, and lawless mobocracy
ruled the hour. In some election
districts in that city in the election of
1868, democratic majorites were ''lar-
ger than the whole number of men.
women, children, horses, cats and dogs
in the DISTRICTS This is authentic
history. It was by reason of the
defective machinery Of State legisla-
ton that these outrages were possible
A Republican Congress in 1901
sought a remedy. It claimed no
authority over elections held by the
States for the election of their own
officers. But these outrages and
frauds were aimed in some localities at
elections for members OF Congress and
Presidential electors, and thus threat
ened the integrity of the National
government itself Congress provided
for the appointment Of Federal officers
.-supervisors of election-of different
political parties, to act when called
upon at election Of Federal officers
members of Congress, etc.-and see
that they are fairly conducted. 7'he
power here exercised is an undoubted
attribute Of national sovereignty.
Without it our great Government, to
which we look fer protect on at home
and abroad, upon land and sea, is a
mere feeting shadow, to be dispelIed
in moment at the beckon of an indi-
vidual State. The terms of her
officers are brief, and their election
must of necessity be within her con-
troll. These reasons moved Repub-
ican Congress to adopt the legislation
referred to-the Supervisor act.
United States Marshals and their dep
uties were also charged with the duty
Of aiding, when necessary, in the en-
forcement Of the law to protect the
purity Of national elections. An act
Of 1865 by implication authorized
Federal troops to be used when neces-
sary 'to keep the peace at the polls"
Of national elections. That act sim
ply recognizes a right which must exist
independently of any statute. No
man or party has feared or had reason
to fear that the power Of the national
government by this legislation exer-
clsed-poWer without which it cannot
preserve its own existence-would be
used oppressively or corruptly in aid
Of any party. It has never been SO
used. In the South it has been of
little avail because, for reasons already
understood, the voting has been there
Of late nearly all on one side. But
this legislation has been seriously in
the way Of Democratic happiness. It
has interfered in some localities with
their plans for carrying electi ons, but
worst of all it is standing refutation
of their cherished theory of estate
rights -the theory upon which the
South seceeded, and upon which she
annuls and defes the constitution and
laws Of the United States whenever
they are distasteful to her-that the
national government is the merest
creature Of the States, possessing only
such power and authority as the
States, as such, have conferred, Of the
extent and duration of which they,
and not she, are the final Judges.
This doctrine, always fatal to national
perpetuity, was surrendered at APP
pomatox. and persisted with slavery
when the charter Of our liberties was
promulgated anew by the adoption of
the 18th, 18th aud 18th amendments
to the constitution. The South has
dragged it from its grave, and through
the instrumentality Of the Democratic
party is again using it to destroy con-
stitutional government. Accordingly,
near the close of the regular session of
Congress in 1879, q Democratic House
Of Representatives tackled amendments
destroying the efficiency Of the nation
al election laws to the bills appropri-
ating necessary money for the support
Of the government, and insisted that
such amendments should be adopted or
that the wheels Of government should
stop. A Republican Senate refused
this demand, and the session expired
without the necessary appropriations.
The President called an extra session,
again asking that the necessary ap-
preparations be made At this session
both Houses Of Congress were Demo-
cratic, and they both insisted on sub
stantially the same measures demand
ed by the House at the previous session,
or that the government should be left
without means with which to perform
its functions. A Republican Presi-
dent met these outrageous demands
with his veto A delay of weeks
ensued, devoted mainly by Democrats
to an angry warfare against the election
"