The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1884-02-13
THE SHOTGUN POLICY
Speech of Hon. John Sherman
IN THE U. s. SENATE, JANUARY 90
On Election Outrages in Virginia and
Mississippi.

MT. sherman S resolutions on the
Virginia and Mississippi elections
were taken up.
Mr. Sherman saidBthat since the
beginning Of the present session he
had felt that recent events in the
States Of Virginia and Mississippi
we're Of such importance as to de-
mand a full and impartial investiga-
ton of the causes that led to them,
the real facts involved and the proper
constitutional remedy to prevent
their recurrence, and, Unnecessary, to
further secure to all American citi-
zens the freedom of speech in open
assertion Of political opinions and
peaceful exercise Of the right to vote.
Now that sufficient time has
elapsed to allay to some extent the
excitement caused by these events,
he hoped the Senate would make
this investigation, so that our citi-
zens might understand how far the
National Government would protect
them in the enjoyment of their rights;
or if it was helpless or listless, that
no longer relying on barten declara-
tions of the Constitution, each man
for himself might appeal to the right
Of self-defence, or to the boasted
American right of migration to more
friendly regions. The allegations in
this resolution, as to the Danville
riot or massacre, we're, he said,
founded upon statements in public
prints, supported by the oaths ofwit.
nesses, and their substantial truth was
also verified by the published state
ment of a member Of this body, a
Senator from the State of Virginia.
Allegations as to Mississippi are
founded upon copious narratives in
public prints, proceedings Of public
meetings, and acts and failures to act
of officers of the State Government,
including Governors, Judges, Courts
and juries.
If these statements are true, then
in both these States there have been
organized Consplracies to subvert
the freedom of elections, accompan.
! led by murder and violence in many
forms. The crimes depicted are not
ordinary crimes, but those of the
prevailing majority to subvert by
violence the highest constitutional
privileges of citizens, and could not
from their nature be inquired of OF
be punished by ordinary tribunals.
off" he said, 'they are true, then
in those communities members OF
one party and one race have no
rights which the prevailing majority
is bound to respect" He did not
desire to open up sectional questions,
or renew old strifes. Still, if these
allegations are true, it would be cow
ardly shrinking from the gravest pub.
lie duty, to allow such events to deep,
en- into precedents which would sub
vert the foundation of republican in.
stitutions and convert our elections
into organized crimes.
" If the events at Danville were
the result Of chance, an outbreak OF
riot between opposing parties, or diff
ferent races Of men, they might prop.
erly be left to be dealt with by the
local authorities but if the riot and
massacre were part Of a machinery
devised by party, to deter another
party or race from freedom at elec
tions or a free open expression o
political opinions, then they consti
tuted a crime against the Nationa
Government, and the highest duty o
the Government was to maintain, a
every hazard, the equal rights ant
privileges of citizens. If the event
in Copiah county, Miss, were merel
lawless invasions ofindiyidual right,
then, though they involved murder
as well as other crimes, they shoul
be left to the local authority, and
Justice could not be administered b
the Courts, and a citizen was withou
remedy from lawless violence, the
he must fall back upon his right {
. selEdefensei or, failing in that, h
must seek a home where rights wi
p be respected and observed,
"But, if these indiviual crimes in
: volved the greater one of organize
conspiracy Cf party or race to dt
J, prive another party or race Of cit
E zens Of the enjoyment Of unquestior
e ed rights, accompanied with owe.
o. acts, with physical power enough t
accomplish the purpose, then it b,
d comes a National question, whic
= must be dealt with by the Nationi
Government.
p "The war emancipated and mad
citizens of FIVE millions of peop
= who had been slaves. No Court evD
h denied the power Of the Nation
1t Government to protect citizens
their essential rights as free me
4 No man should be allowed to hold
seat in either house Of Congre
whose election was secured by Grim
n such as are Depicted here, Nor w
Is it sufficient to say that tho electio
"A referred to were not National ele
.e tions in the sense that they did n
le involve the election Of President
Member of Congress,
N While the power Of Congress oy
D. the selection of Senators, Represe
atives, and Presidents extended
r"'se