Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-08-12


7,437 !; the Republicans $3.50 In
the same district in 1878 the Demo-
Gratis polled 3,673 the Republicans
,Hty-four. In Mississippi the infamous
results of the "white line plan are
still more striking. In the Sd MISSISSIPPI
pi district in 1872 the Democrats polled
GAO vote the Republicans 5,047.
In the same district in 1878 the Dem
ocrats polled 1925; tie Republicans
CSC. In the 4th Mississippi district
in 1872 the Democrats polled 6,670
votes the Republicans 10, 595. In
the same district in 1878 the Demo-
Gratis polled 4,125; the Republicans
none. In other districts the compar-
ative vote shows similar changes, but
the above ought to suffice. Need
comment follow? In one district
where the Republicans polled over 49,
900 votes in 1872 not cote was cast
by them in 1878. This change is but
trife more marked than many others.
And the Democratic vote is not in
creased, but on the other hand, while
preserving safe proportions, is reduced;
so it cannot be claimed for a moment
that the Republicans have been con-
verified to the Democratic faith. And
there was no negro exodus from those
districts, or any of them, if at all, until
1879. There is but one explanation
of the Infamous record here presented.
1t establishes with overwhelming force
that notwithstanding the guarantees
of the constitution that all men born
or naturalized in the United States are
+atizens, and that no citizen of what
ever color, caste or previous condition,
shall be denied, or abridged in, the
right to votes, still thousands Of
citizens vast maiorities in congress
ional districts and States-are denied
the right to vote because of their
color and political opinions, and so far
the constitution Of thier country is
powerless to relieve them This in
1878-eight years after the 18th
amendment was adopted-in ex-rebel
States, in Democratic strongholds,
within the "Solid South" These are
the methods by which the South is
made ''Solid'' in the interest of
Democracy and ''home rule and by
which the 1873 electoral votes of the
South are secured to the Democratic
party.
1t is as much the purpose of south
ern leaders of the Democracy-and
they have always controlled the policy
of that party, and always will-to
maintain aristocratic dominion over
poor men, black and white, in the
down to 1878 shows no change in
them then. There has been no change
since the rebellion and there is no
purpose by them to change. Let
southern witnesses testify. The Chatta-
nouga, (Tenn.) Times in recent
ISSUE published since the nomina-
ton of Hancock-says:
GAS for the ''free ballot" and that
kind of can't, freedom will come for
the southern negro as soon as he is fit
for the exercise Of complete citizenship
not before. 1t is best we be plain and
frank about these matters; and when
we generally Justify the means used to
place South Carolina, Mississippi and
Louisiana under vhas qasle we do not
indorse any needless severity practiced,
though we say that the specimens of
barbarism charged and proved were
inevitable features of the situation,
and largely the offspring of federal
mismanagement and meanness.
Here is "plain and frank" confess
ion by prominent Democratic news
paper of the South. Is more evidence
needed, that the Democrats propose to
judge for themselves in the South.
who are eft" to be citizens, and to
"deny' all others their rights as such?
Does any man doubt that, in case the
Democrats succeed to national control,
the old proscriptive, pro-slavery spirit
will control permanently in the South;
that slavery itself, in ali save the
name, will again be the condition of
millions of men whom the constitution
declares citizens? Such is the avowed
purpose of the southern leaders. Only
last month, Gen. Wade Hampton of
South Carolina-one of the most able,
influential and 'sconservative'' of
southern leaders-who in the conven-
ton that nominated Gen. Hancock,
pledged the 1873 southern electoral
votes to any man who could carry
sufficient northern votes with their aid
to elect, addressing a Democratic mass
meetino in VIRGINIA nsad tho foIIov;no