The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-10-14
THE ELECTION

jority.
We have not, at the time of going to
press, sufficient returns to give the exact
figures; and it may be several Demo-
cratic candidates are elected.
The official vote will be required to
decide as to several candidates, and the
returns are not yet opened. They will
be tomorrow, when the official result
will be made known.
The "bulldozing" in Canton was be-
yond anything ever witnessed or con-
ceived before. Money was spent like
water, and we learn the secret orders,
such as Knights of Pythias, Odd Fel-
lows, &c., were used to benefit Wilson
and Ramsey. If these societies are to
be thus used, the sooner they are expos
ed, the better.
In the shops some employers were ac-
tive for days before, in the work of "bull-
doing" their employees. Coercion, by
intimidation in every possible way was
resorted to. Personal appeals were made;
the good times and good wages, and the
fear Of change for the worse, ss in 1872,
was held up as scare. In one shop the
fifteen or twenty hands were called to.
gether to be talked to by their blather-
ing employer, who himself few years
ago felt the pressure of the business
prostration, under Republican tariff rule.
This is only one case, and similar action
was the rule no doubt in obedience to
orders These men, too, were generally
on hand at the polls to influence some
and intimidate others. We know several
instances of men who made assignments
under Republican tariff rule, who were
active in this sort of work. They either
have very short memories, or lack prin.
Ciple terribly.
These are not the individuals that
laboring men should allow to interfere
with their right Of private judgment
and free political action at the polls. One
would suppose that individuals who
have gone thus through the grinding
process of Republican business panic and
prostration, would act more with moder.
alton, modesty and good sense.
Republican gentlemen who made as.
signments under Republican tariff rule,
should be the last to talk of the danger
of Hancock's election. Do they forget
the past under Grant and Republican
Congress- Have they forgotten the Or
deal they passed through? We regret
to remind our neighbors of this dsas-
trous Republican period, but their own
course demands it, These howls about
the danger to business if the Democracy
obtain power, are only scare without
shadow of foundation in fact. The gen.
tlemen referred to are the last men who
should join in this howl, and assume
thus to dictate to their honest EMPLOYEES.
But, where is the right in this free
country, for an employer to assume to
dictate and intimidate an employee? The
latter sells his time and skill, and gets
not more than he earns in return. We
notice the employers who are most Off
cious and impudent in this business are
the most lacking in knowledge and cul- |
ture. We could give instances, but care
not to do 80. Few men employed by
them but would compare favorably with
these employers in all proper respects.
The minds the standard of the MAN"
Let this system of bulldozing cease In
Canton. 1t must not be tolerated. The
right of private judgment must be pre-.
served at all hazards. On this depends
all liberty. Jefferson said "I have
sworn upon the altar of God eternal hos.
5ility to every form Of tyranny over the
mind of man."
Election means the right of every vo.
Ter to elect or chose for himself. THIS is
,he Constitutional right of every citizen,
md laws are in force to prevent improp
9r interference. OF course, the work of
is usually done in such way
Is not to render the person amenable to
he law. The law and the Constitution
ire violated in spirit, 1t is to be regret.
ed that there are men weak enough to
% influenced by an impending threat of
OBS of work. But how utterly heartless
md Infamous it is in any one to inter-
ere thus with mans right; to thus
play the petty tyrant and autocrat. The
is the useful unit of society,
Ind ne must be allowed the free exercise
'f his rights of citizenship and of con-
cence.
He is freeman whom the Truth makes free;
And all are slaves beside