Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-10-06

ballot-box This makes politics one OF the
"exact sciences" much more certain than the
dice or lots with which offices and nominations
were ratified off here the other day. [Applause.]
In Mississippi, more than half the population
ia colored. Every year until 1874 the Republic
ans had a majority in all elections. In 1876
the Republican vote returned was 81, 900. The
next year it was but l, 160, and the year after
2.OS5 In all these States the Republican vote,
and even the Republican committees and news
papers, had been utterly suppressed.
Alabama has just held an election. The
Greenback candidate for President went there
and realized the embarrassment OF the bull
who butted against q locomotive. The whole
proceeding was a shameful wrong, and Mr..
Weaver saws that the enforcement of the ma
tional election laws is the only thing which will
make fair election possible. Arkansas has
Just voted-Arkansas, where until recently
Republicans always elected members or Con-
gress and the Legislature, where at the last
Presidential election 1860 Republican votes
were cast and where now in no part of the
State does the Republican vote appear. Re-
pudiation and Democracy prevail nightly.
repeat here as I said in the Senate when the
Government was taken by the throat and
threatened with strangulation unless the cleo
ton laws were stricken down, that the Demo-
cratic party would have to-day no majority in
either House of Congress except for cleo
tions dominated and decided by violence and
fraud.
REPUTATION OF SOUTHERN DEBTS.
What use is made of this ill-gotten power?
One of its chief uses has been the reputation
of honest debts. Every Southern State but
Texas has lately repudiated its obligations.
This aggregate Reputation of State and NUM-
cipal debts amounts to ABOUT three nundred
million dollars In 1872 the debts of Southern
States were $242, 500, coo. Now these States
recognize and pay interest on only $53, 97S, 945.
A large part even of this is unpaid and funded
interest. On twenty millions. interest has
been scaled down to two per cent. Whether
the residue of debts are also to be forsWorn Is
now an Oren issue.
Is there excuse or palliation for this? We
are told so. What is it? 1t is that "carpet-
bag governments" contracted these obliga-
tions. One difficulty with this excuse, and not
tine only one, is that it is not true. The ante
war debt, contracted before the "carpet-bag-
ger" ever visited the South either with
knapsack or without it, was ninety million dol
lars No part of this debt has been paid;
large part has been repudiated. The carpet
bag" governments paid the interest on it
regularly. The increase of debt since the war
was largely for public improvements. But the
most damaging fact for this excuse is that the
alleged illegal issue of bonds charged upon the
carpet-bag governments put together does not
equal the SUM repudiated by Georgia alone.
What are we to think of men and communi-
ties who GO into wholesale repudiations as
[Applause.l When Mr.. Weaver brought for
ward in the House of Representatives bill to
issue s'fiat money" and make it illegal tender
for all debts public and private, man after man
from the South openly declared that if the
word 'sprivate' were stricken out he would
vote for the bill. They had no objection to
paying off public debts with chat, but private
debts they thought should be paid in money.
State debts are sacred above National obi
cations in Southern ethics-a sovereign State"
is of higher essence than the Nation, and this
was the standing defence in rebellion for
'tgoing with their States" Moreover, State
and municipal obligations are for home pur-
poses. II their own State, faith and credit is
not inviolate with Southern leaders, what in
their hands would be the fate of obligations
which were the means, the cause, the memori-
ais of their defeat? [Applausel
THE PERILs OF DEMOCRATIC AscENDENcY.
But we are told General Hancock would
watch them! An angel might watch a tiger;
q child might attempt to divide beefsteak
with BLOODHOUND; a lamb might lie down with
lion, but the lamb would lie inside. The
peril of Democratic ascendency in all the
branches of the Government is deeper rooted
than any measure within the scope of existing
public question. Statesmen abroad talk Of
''Ghe balance of power" and of changing the
map of Europe" These sayings mean not
much more than might easily occur here.
The resolution admitting Texas to the Union
Ill
additional States. The area and population
are both sufficient. The area is 274 600 square
miles, the population million and half.
Such a proceeding would add eight to the
number Of Southern Senators, and add to
Southern power in the electoral college. From
New Mexico and other territories, whose ira
ditions and prejudices have descended from
slaye-holding influences, several new States
MAJ also be made. Schemes exist, not in en-
bryo. but far advanced, to obtain ''slice Of
Mexico" Cattle stealing on the Rio Grande
border has been and is fruitful occasion for
inc lrsions into Mexico. Special cavalry regi-
ments of unusual size have been raised and
stationed on the Texan frontier. tits an open
secret that not long ago much exertlon and
alertness were needed to keep US out of an
other Mexican war.
Without violating the Constitution or trans
cending the usages of the Republic, at least
seven new States could be brought in, and in
the case of some Of them very plausible case
could be made. The project would become a
high party measure. Its success would assure
complete Democratic ascendency in the Nation
for q generation at least. It would put the
Government not merely in the hands Of the
Democratic party, bat OF the Southern Demo
cratic party.
Why should not this be done? Who and
what is to prevent it if the Democratic party is
elected? The Northern wing could never re-
slst the Southern wing in Congress were these
The Northern wing never could, never will.
and never can withstand the pressure of the
far stronger South wing. Gravitation and
arithmetic make such resistance impossible,
just as pound can not outweigh ton, just as
one man can not outnumber a regiment. The
past is pitiful in its warnings in this behalf.
Despite pledges and Northern indignation,
Northern Democrats in Congress united in
voting down the Wilmot proviso in order to
make California slave State; united in voting
for the fugitive slave law; united in the
mig ty peridy which overthrow the Missouri
compromise in order to fasten slavery on Kan
sas and other States, and united in defeating
the homestead laval at the behest of the
Southern majority.
Mr.. Van Buren, at last, like Macbeth, would
s'go no further in this bloody business" and
political destruction was his reward. Mr..
Douglas at last made brave stand a. ainst
sectional aggression, and he was hunted 10 his
grave. Caucus is king, and the avengirg
angel is hardly more iDexorable in decree. or
more unerriug in retribution. Applause
THE DEMOCRATIC ASSAULT ON THE JUDICIARY
Ono Of IT,lx1,