New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-11-16

THE CEiVE AGAINST FREE GOFERNNENI.
1t is time for good citizens to consider how
their own conduct breeds fraud in elections, and
so undcrnnes free institutions 1t is not 10y
the scoundrels, not by the political rascals anu
votes winders, that the very existence of self
government in this country is threatened, but
by reputable, decent and good citizens.
Does any one ask how Because they sustain
the men who commit fraud Because, how
ever notorious and shameless frauds may be,
the reputable men of the Democratic party stlll
uphold them, or arc Indifferent to them, or ex-
pend their first natural Indignation in strong
words and then forget all about them and snp-
port the same men the next time. 1t is because
the decent men ofthe Democratic party do not
act on a sincere and profound conviction that
the most dangerous traitors to n free govern
ment are the men who resort to fraud III 0rder
to secure a political success. Consider the ONO
case, for example. Most infamous frauds were
perpetratcd last ycar in the State election.
They we're such rs should have brought dis
grace upon all persons participating IN them.
But good citizens willingly overlook those
crimes. Mullen, the Lieutenant OF Police, was
convicted upon his own confession OF the ont
rageous crime he had committed. There was
no dispute that he had robbed many coloIcd
citizens of their right to vote. Yet he was par
doned after conviction, at the personal request
of Governor IIoadly. And still the good citi-
zens of the Democratic party remain indltcr-
ent How natural it was. in view OF snch an
event, that frauds still more infamous followed
at the recent election, with the same Mullen
reinstated in the police service to shield the
perpetrators from punishment.
I. In the same way Senator German OF Maryland
has been upheld by the good citizens Of his
party Yet there is room t. doubt that
both Gormau, the master, and higgins, tAc
man, have been guilty of the GrlVest OF crimes
against free government. 1t is not possible 10
resist the conviction that the charges made
against them by prominent Democrats have
basis of truth. Thus Mr.. Wooten Of Maryland
publicly dcGes Senator German to test IN the
courts the truth of his allegation that the Sonl'
tor himself personally distributed corruption
money, aud personally led in the debauchment
of the ballot-bOx, and was personally cognIiht
of the crimes of Higgins and others. By MN
and by his ring voters were hribed, and voters
BIZ the hundred were cheated of their votes, ana
ballot-boxos were stuffed, and fraudulent re-
turns were made, if these well-kn0Wn anu re-
spDnsible Democrats do not slandcr. Yet the
result is that to this hour the Senator retains
the confidence Of the President, and his notori-
ons tool retains his place as appointment clerk
in the Treasury Department.
Until good citizens chang their mode oil
treating men who are guilty Of political frauds
no Improvement can be expected. On the CON
trary, the country must travel the downward
road with ever accelcrating rapidity. II Demo
ciats who mean to be law ablling citizens de
sire to remedy this state of things. they must
first begin to treat as criminals those who are
found guilty of participation in fraud. They
must first begin to overthrow by their votes the
party that permits and encourages such fraud.
Their first duty i 10 treat such party a> IN
cncmY of the public welfare.