Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-10-19
SUNDAY. ......... OCTOBER 10. 1884.
The shot-oun Policy.

Happy South! Unhappy countryi The
shotgun policy has extended its jurisdic-
tlon over thc whole United States. No
longer 10 II In the southern States only that
this method Of carrying elections il charged
against the people. In the northern States
men are knocked down. dragged out, shot
70 death, for daring to try to vote the De-
mocratic ticket.
There il this difference between the
Democrats and the Republicans. Nobody.
we believe, charges that Democratic
lawmakers or law-adminstrators advocate
or pursue the shotgun policy. The So
called Danville riot was, even according to
SHKRnAr, not the work Of officers Of the
court. The shooting was not done by de-
putty constables nor by deputy sherifs. So
In South Carollns and Louisiana and Mis-
sissippi, and wherever else intimidation
has been resorted TO. In those cases the
offence was committed, II at all, by prl.
vate individusls--by lawless characters--
not by Democratic officials appointed
by the courts, or by the ministe-
rial officers OF the courts. But in
Ohio outrsgcs unspeaksble were com.
mitted last week by the deputies OF the
marshal OF the United States courts. The
arm Of the law struck down innocent DEM
ocrafs. The pistols that slew the victims
were In the hands Of Federal officials.
The hands that fired those pistols were up
held by the mail-clad hand OF Federal
power. The Democrats Who were slain
were slain by the minions Of force and
fraud. The officers who should have been
SCI for the protection OF the whole people
stand to-day red-handed in the presence OF
Chrisfendom. We repeat, happy South
Unhappy country!
All over the land the people are thinking
upon this subject. Gin those days." says
the Atlanta Consultation, "the shotgun
policy was adopted in the great State Of |
Ohio" Yes, In Ohio; but Ohio 10 In the |
northern section Of the Union. The ipva-
sion Of Ohio Is the invasion OF Maine. and |
Massachusetts,, and New York, aud Oregon,
and California. There 10 now no dividing.
line between the sections 90 far a. concerns
those deputy marshals and supervisors. and
The license to commit crime which Is &C.
corded to them. The manaclss that were
forged for southern wrists ft northern
wrists 90 well.
Out Of thisevil will Gene good. So long 10
none but southern men were the victims OF
Federal injustice and oppression. there was
little reason TO hope that such wrongs would
either be redressed or guarded against.
We cannot rejoice over the wrongs done
10 our northern brethren; but we can re-
|oice that both they and we may hope that
It an early day crimes against the elective
Franchise will cease TO be committed under
be authority Of the United States courts
II the ministerial officers OF those courts.
The deputy marshals must 60.
Aud, too. the northern people will now
what means the question which
ecently has been so frequently pressed
Ipon their atention--nsmely, Have the
eople OF the United States the power to
hange their rulsrs' In other words, will
hey be permitted TO seat Democrat IN the
hair OF the President Of the United States!
an they control their own elections? Can ,
hev dispossess the Republican party OF the
fiices Of the Government Can they get
look II the bookss Are they free or are
hey bound In chains, and hugging those
hsinsi
The immense demonstration OF Demo-
cratic strength in Brooklyn the other night [
Was a defiance OF Ohio. Mr.. Bss0usR said
be would not have been at the meeting had
Ohio voted the Democratic ticket. Thou
sands Of others who were present could
Rave said the same. The Empire State will
rec the country from Republican rule.
gew York will on the 4th Of November an.
wer In the affirmative the momentous
question, Is this free country