Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-24
MEMPHIS APPEAL
FRIDAY. I: NOVEMBER "a, 1882
THE PESTIFEROUs CHALMERS.

FRIDAY. /: NOVEMBER "a, 1882
THE PESTIFEROUS CHALMERS
For two years Gen. Jas. r. Chalmers has
been an asp in the bosom OF the Democratic
party. and il seems he is to be the source OF
further ANNOYANCE The methods which he
invented two years ago to secure seat to
which he was never elected have returned
10 nJarue the inventor. If Mr.. Myers,
the secretary of state of Mississippi, would
publish the brief, the facts and arguments
used by Gen. Chalmers to secure GER
tiicate Of election over Lynch two years
ago, they would furnish complete vindica-
ton of his recent action in giving the certif-
cate 10 Manning. No one condemns III. G.
Myers for his course, az he is a ministerial
officer, sworn 10 obey the law as interpreted by
him. Two weeks since the APPEAL insisted
that if Gen. Chalmers had secured his
election, as is alleged, by bribery, fraud,
intimidation and general corruption, he
would be and ought TO be hoisted out of his
seat by the Congressional derrick. Eut we
never dreamed of, sustaining any measure
which deprived him of the legal votes cast
Vember, l860-iust two years ago-show
how, earnestly and Indignantly we protested
against the methods Gen. Chalmers adopted
10 secure the seat to which be was not elect
ed. With all our personal likings and party
sympathy for him, we could not sus-
tain policy which outraged the will of the
people, aud the APPEAL is consistent in op-
posing the same methods originated by Chsl-
mers and invoked to deprive him of his seat.
Under the laws of Mississippi, as formerly
construed by Myers and Chalmers, and as
affirmed by the Supreme Court, the secre-
tzry of state could not do otherwise than
give Manning the certificate of election.
Gen. Chalmers has his redress before Con-
gress, and we cannot see how a Democratic
Congress can refuse to go behind the returns
and give Gen. Chalmers all the legal votes
cast for him, as the Democrats have been
denouncing for six years the high commits
sion which refused to go behind The return
ing boards and count for Tilden the Votes
cast for him. In the following extract the
st. Louis Republican takes just and sensi-
tle view of the question:
The proceedings in the Manning Chalmers con-
gressfonal district in Mississippi, by which Mr..
Democrstss and ali lovers of good ToVernmen f
would like to see Mr.. Manning in Congress in
preference to Chalmers, who has shown himself TO
be so void of convictions and principle. But they
do not want 10 see him seated by any stretch OF
the proper and necessary legal forms to secure a
true expression OF the popular Will must be OBJ
served or elections become matters of mere
chance or accident There is, however, just
and safe dividing line between such apses OF legal
forms as endanger the rights of constituencies and
mere tecnn1calt1eS which be resOrteQ to
from motives OF mere partlEansh1p and made
facts it is difficult to say what is right in this Mis-
s1ssppi case but 1t is certain the majority OF the
plain case before they viii Consent to the dis
reimbursement of so large a number of voters as
mythical person in certain precincts in the Second
District in that State. No temptation to retaliate
other case the laWless, constituencies example of
the Republicans in the present dishonored House
Obedience to law is the first prerequisite
70 constitute a good citizen, and the decision
of the legal authorities of Mississippi-an
honest decision, made by honest men-should
be respected and observed until higher
authority corrects what neither the governor
nor the secretary of state had the legal
right TO correct. Now that the era of re-
construction has passed, that sectional
hatreds have died out, and the American
people are approaching another ''era Of
good feeling" every good citizen should
unite in elevating the politics of the coun-
try; and to accomplish this the first great
duty is TO purify the balloIbox. This is
the freemsn's bulwark. 1t has been de- |
scribed by the poet as a weapon more potent |
than the bayonet. The people can be |
trusted, and SO long as they have a free and
unobstructed ballot they are capable Of |
correcting any evils that beset the country.
II is q notorious fact that men secure office
by purchasing voters at SO much head. A
great national corruption fund is established
at the seat of government, and from this
polluted fountain a filthy stream is turned
loose upon the whole country. In the near
future no will be allowed to
accept office who has spent money |
to secure his election. In theory Offices are
conferred by the voluntary suffrage of free
men on persons who are fit to be intrusted
with them. But of late years the ballot-box
has become mockery and farce. Hayes
was made president by fraudulent count.
Garfield was elected by the use of money.
Men are nominated as candidates for office
amount of money they can spend. So soon
as a canvass opens the executive committees
clamor for money, and the chances of sue
cess depends upon thu party which can fur
nish the most money. Practically the public
Offices, from the presidency down, are the
toys of individual ambition, putup at public
outcry, to be given to the highest bidder for
cash. A surer or more active agent for sap
ping the foundations Of public virtue could
not be devised. 1t is impossible for people
10 be secure in their persons and prop
erty so long as the administration of
their offices are intrusted, not to persons
of merit freely chosen, but to whoever has
the money TO control votes. One of the
grandest spectacles is to see a free people go
to the ballot-box and intelligently select from
the great body of citizens few for the CON-
troll of public affairs. One of the most hu-
sights is to see public affairs in {
tluenced by a prostitution of the elective
franchise to the men who can pay the most
money or commit the most fraud. If we
make it crime to secure Office by money or
fraud merit will become test and there will
be honest elections. The public have an
interest in free ballot, and il should not be
Instructed by the use Of money, fraud, in {
imidation or legal techuicalities.