New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-22
SYtII EPfTD RCLE7


strnrrle which the Democrats have commenced
in the House has real and vital meaning. 1t
involves the very essence of representative
government The House has no business to
enact laws of any kind if it is incapable OF
reaching decision whether its seats are law
fully and honestly filled. 1t is reported 10y the
proper committee that certain members 90 not
represent the people. minority IN effect
confesses that the charge is true, because IL
does not dare to permit any argument or vote
upon the questions raised. OF necessity, the
parliamentary struggle Immediately touches
the case of only one member, but 1t was re-
solved in the caucus of the minority that any
consideration of any of the cases OF contest
should, if possible. be prevented. and every
| Democrat present, with one exception,
has contemptuousy dsregarded his oath
of Office III order to make the decree OF
the caucus effective. Indeed, it has been eX-
plained that some Northern men were reluc-
tant to dishonor themselves by denying JUS
lice in cases so fragrant and particularly re-
lucta1t to resort to revolutionary meas
urcs for the defeat of claimants who
were rightfully and legally elected, but
that notice was served upon them by Demo-
Gratis of the South that the rifle clubs, the
tissue ballots and the forged returns should
cease to he used hereafter to secure the sue
cess of any Democratic tickets, Congressional
or electoral. unless the men already chosen 10y
such means were upheld and defended by
Northern Democrats.
Tins statement dscl0ses the real meaning of
the contest. Northern Democrats know that
their party would never get votes enough III
Congress or in a Presidential election, to be
even IA respectable minority if frauds were
stoned. They know that the constituencies
seekers for plumber who do much of the work
of the party would instantly abandon 1t II 1t
were to have hereafter only those chances of
success which honest elections at the South
would leave it, In short, the party must cease
TO exist unless it can he kept alive by frauds
50 gross and outrageous that Democrats do not
dare to discuss or vote upon them knowing
this. members who wish to be considered gen.
tlcmcn and men of honor 10y Northern con-
stituencies nevertheless vote to rob the people
in Southern districts of their dearest rights
Party necessity is their sole excuse. They
must do so. or the party would he destroyed.
The declarations OF Republicans from The
South show that the Southern Democrats are
not mistaken in their predictions. These Re
publicans say, and abundant evidence proves,
that such frauds as are necessary to defeat the
will of the people at the South can be perpe-
trated with success only where there is VIZ
tmally no substantial resistance by white clti-
zens, and where the Democrats control all the
offices. Wherever these infamous Ourages are
resisted firmly by even small minority OF
Democrats, honest elections follow, as in Nir-
ginia and the Democratic party is over
whclmcd. a sufficient minority will be found
to resist in every Southern State, and to Sc
cure honest elections, as soon as 1t is known
that Congress is both willing and able to up
hold Justice and rebukc fraud. Hence the
Bourbon Democrats of the South are unques-
tionablv telling the truth when they say that
the party cannot count upon any success what
ever at the South unless it uphOlds and de-
tends the outrages already committed. Let it
be known that frauds can no longer rob the
people of representation, and half a million
of voters, white and black, who thought
il utterly useless in 1850 to cast
votes that would never Ice counted or
returned, will insist upon their rights.
Followers of Malone will be found in every
Southern State who will stake all their politi-
cal hopes upon success in defeating fraud. The
great conspiracy which has robbed the people
so long will break up, and its overthrow will
be the destruction of the Democratic party.
Hereafter Northern constituencies will be
asked to deal with Democratic representatives
who are knowingly defending frauds SO in
famous that they dare not discuss them. Mem
bcrs who resort to revolutionary measures and
block the wheels of Government i'll order to
rob the people of representation, will be called
upon to tell Northern constituencies why they
should be represented by thieves. But the fist
question is whether the Republicans will do
their duty. 1t is shameful that so many of the
Republican members have proved false to their
trust, by their persistent absence But it ought
to be held an objectionable sin if any member
who can possibly be moved to the Capitol is
absent this week. All agreements to pair are
the votes of quorum of Republicans are
necessary to the transaction of public business
The member who fails to attend to his sworn
duty next Wednesday, and from that time
without ceasng until the contested cases have
been decided, ought to be left at home for all
time to come, whatever his abilities or merits
in other respects. Unless Republicans can elect
a majority that is capable of expeling from
the House persons who were never elected,
and securing TO the people their right of rep
resentation, they would better not elect a ma
jority at all.
BOGUS BUTTER
We do not raise now the question as to the