Morning journal and courier., 1880-08-09
THE FREEDOM OF THE BALLOT

The platform adopted at Cincinnati declares: ''The right to free ballot is the right pre- servative of all rights, and must and shall be maintained in every part of the United States'' And General Hancock says in his letter of acceptance: ,''It is only by full vote, free ballot and fair count that the people can rule in fact, as required by the theory of our Government" This is good doctrine, and it has been and doubtless will be honestly accepted and supported by 8 part of the party which professes 1t. By a small and uninfuential part, however. The Southern Democrats who, by virtue of su- perior brains and the number of votes they can count have long controlled the Demo cratic party, continue to control it. And now, as before, they use their power in such a way as to harm the party, and make it's sounding professions of love of freedom in political action ridiculous. The Democratic party South never did have any adequate idea of the position and rights of citizen of the United States, and whether it ever will remains to be seen. Until it does show better appreciation of and more regard for the rights of it's political opponents it should,
 
 people, be defeated at every opportunity.
 The Democratic papers of the North work hard to prove that whatever may have taken place in the South in time past everything is all right now and if the freedom of the ballot is in danger it is only in danger from Republican bayonets. If they could keep Southern papers and Southern men still their efforts would have more effect, but as it is, all they say is nullified by what is continually being said and printed in the South.
 The Memphis Avalanche publishes letter signed Southern Democrat" in which the most shameful language is used, without one word of rebuke from the editor. The writer urges ''homogeneity of public sentiment in order to restore the prosperity of the days before the war. He says:
 As regards questions relating to the negro, we must have but one party, and that the Democratic party White men who dare to avow themselves here as Republicans should be promptly branded as the bitter and ma ignant enemies of the South. The name of every Northern man who, like Eaton and Bigelow, presumes in this community to as- pire to office through Republican votes, should be saturated with stench. We can spare all such, and would caution such as these who think of coming South to be care full to keep away.
 You, MT. Editor, must hang out again your smallpox flag and rid our community of such vermin.
 lou may think me little bold in using such language upon the anniversary of our flight from the yellow fever in 1879. The North, to be sure, sent some money, but we scorn the imputation of beggary. The North but returned little of the money it stole from during the war.
 No, sir, we must put an end forever to this shameless effrontery of Northern men or Re publicans aspiring to office in the South They must keep back seats, and very quiet ones, or get out.
 I was glad to see your correspondents loose upon that blatant radical, William R. Moore The whole lot must be rendered infamous and odious.
 As for the negroes, let them amuse them selves, if they will, by voting the radical tick et We have the count
 All this and much more which might be given is in accordance with the reports made at the recent Republican conference by the Southern delegates. The Democrats in the South are still dzsermined to keep the ballot in bondage. Therefore that which every lover of his country ought to do is to help keep them out of power by voting against them. The Republican party is working for the freedom of the ballot while the Demo cratic party breaches 1t.