The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-10-19
Southern Democracy.


To the Editor Of tie Press:
Having been for the last ten years resident
of Maryland, it may not be improper to tell you
something of u Q true inwardness of Southern
Democracy
am well aware that it can hardly be cred
tied at the North that in the face of all the
protestations of party leaders, the South is
unit in claiming pay for its slaves and plac-
ing Confederates on an equal footing with
Federal soldiers in regard to pensions.
None can esteem Mr.. Hancock as a soldier
and gentleman, more highly than do. Yet
knowing, as every one does, that without
solid South his election would be impossible,
would it be reasonable to suppose that he could
ignore the demands of those who placed him
in power, notwithstanding all the declarations
he is claimed to have made to the contrary.
They may get up their Bugaboos about sec
tionalism and ''bloody Shirt" but here amidst
Democracy is where you will find it in all its
bitterness. The cant about rebellion being
dead, and the hatchet buried, is only intended
for Northern ears.
At our last election mob collected several
times dufing the day and sang rebel songs
within twenty feet of the ballot box. One had
for a chorus, "I'm rebel, I'm rebel still"
Two of the most quiet, matter-cf-fact Dcmo-
Gratis in the place have told me within the last
two months that they would rather see JEFF
Davis President than any other man in the
United States, that they would vote for him If
he was on the Republican ticket, and they ap-
peared candid while saying they believed he
would be the Democratic candidate in 1884.
Yesterday there was Democratic gathering
here and Hancock pole raised. How 1
wished all Northern Democrats could be where
they could have heard the wild "Hurrah for
JEFF Davis as the Hancock and English flag
was unfurled. If they had been, the election
would be no longer doubtful The names on
| the flag were only cheered afterward as secon-
| daPy considerations.
Our elections are mere farces. Money is
paid for votes at the polls without the least ef-
| fort at concealment; where that is likely to be
| insufficient names are added TO the registers
| by the hundred, and minors and foreigners
| called in TO vote them. Last Fall there were
| 800 more votes cast in this county than there
| were voters; this year they claim fraud in the
census enumerations, and actually made an ef-
| fort to have the enumeration retaken that it
might agree with the register books. Four
years ago one of the Registers was fined by the
| U. S. Court for tampering with his list. The
| Legislature voted money TO pay his tne anu
| expenses, and the people had to foot the bill
| Hs was replaced in the office, which he still
| holds.
| Last year we made q strong fight IN the State
| and county elections. Democratic expenses
| were therefore heavy. In this county $500 Of
| the money appropriated by the State for col
| ored schools, was Incorporated, so that the
| schools had to be closed for three months. We
| charged them with using it to pay election ex-
| penses, which they have never ventured to de-
| ny. II such things exist in law-abding Mary
| land, what may we expect in States which did
| secede and set at defiance the laws of the land?
| Freemen of the North we look to you to per-
| petuate our national existence by your votes in
| November mex. We look to that DAY with an
| intense anxiety SIS did the Union people all
| over the land at the awful days OF Getty sburg.
| DO not disappoint us; the same issues arc at
| stake; though the weapons are ostensibly bal
lots, they are in reality bowie knives and cor
rupton, rendered plausible by having captured
/ one of the most worthy heroes Of Gettysburg
| to he the figure-head o this underground re-
| bellion.
| If any Democrat doubts the truth Of these
| assertions, l will be glad TO communicate with
him privately, and put him in way to be
convinced. j. Y.