Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-06-17
STILL AT THE EROST-THE VITALITY
IMPORTANT ISSUE OF THE CAM.
pAItiN.

STILL AT THE ERONT-THE VITALITY
IMPORTANT ISSUE OF The CAM.
PAIGS.
Ohio as political power is still at the
front Her Republicans are, this year, as
they have been accustomed to be in the
past, at the head of the column. Ohio
made on Thursday last the first significant
| and weighty utterance on the political sit
uation in the country that has been made
since the inauguration of President Ceve-
land, and reverberations OF the utteranCe
are still echoiug among the hills OF the
East and South and West Ohio sounded
the keynote not only for her CUB 'rnatorial
campaign but for the pending presidential
conflict of lsSs. The purity and sacred
! ness of the ballot is to be fought for by
| the Republicans of Ohio and the men Of
their faith throughout the country are
falling into line and getting ready to
march to the step OF the music made last
week in the Ohio Republican
Wigwam. Not only is this true
but the enemy is already sadly
wrought up. He is in a torn and bleeding
state of mind When the Republicans of
Ohio declare that the right to vote ac-
corded by the Constitution OF the United
States is the concern OF the whole people
| and must be secured at all hazards, to
every citizen in every part OF the Repub.
| lie" we hear, in addition to the loyal and
| patriotic responses OF the Republicans OF
the land, from the Coal Oil and Bourbon
Democracy the most plaintiye and heart
rending howls about the Haunting OF the
bloody shirt. Even Governor Hoadly
practically pronounces this initial state
ment OF the Republican platform an in
cendiarY utterance We are trying to re-
v;ve the issues OF the war; we are digging
up old personalities and trying to make
| trouble. Still; we feel quite sure that the
Republicans OF Ohio will fight it out on
| that line. If it be inCendiary--if it be
| Haunting an ensanguiued bit Of under
wear-to declare that every male citizen
OF twenty-one years OF age
shall have the privilege Of
voting, then let the underwear wave
and futter on every wind of heaven until
the evening OF the day of the October
election; for this is simply a statement Of
a political fact, of supreme importance
Of basal truth on which stands the sup
erstructure of our Republican government
The presidential election OF 1854 did not
express the popular voice, for the reign OF
terror in some portions Of the country and
the corruption OF the ballot-bUx in other
portions, thwarted the popular will 1t is
universally admitted-or rather it is boast
fully asserted-in many portions of the
South, by Democrats that they DO not
intend to allow black men to vote unless
they shall choose to vote the Democratic
ticket. This is not the charge Of part-
san newspsper.--for the GLoBE-REPuBLIC
is something more aud something broader
than that, conducted by men who have
| consciences and who aim to tell the ruth
but it is a statement of fact that can be
proven by unimpeachable witnesses, The
black men Of the South were not allowed
to vote the Republican ticket, and if they
had been and ballots had been honestly
counted in New York City, a. they never
are, James e. Blaine would have been
declared elected and would now occupy
the Executive Mansion This is an un-
doubted fact, capable of demonstration.
II this is the Haunting Of bloody shirt,
let 'er ilaunt and condemned be the man
who first yells out, enough
hlght mere is "hefe the Republicans OF
Ohio will take their stand, aud they have
advanced at once to the front and now
propose to make the battle on that issue,
Other utterances OF the platform are i'm
portant and will commend themselves TO
the approval OF the friends OF equality and
justice; Of true civil service reform; OF the
protection of American industry Of popu-
lar education, and Of reasonable and prac.
teal liquor legislation but the issue OF the
first importance is involved in the great
question whether the male citizen Of q
years OF age should have the privilege Of
voting--and Of voting in any portion OF
this Union, without mOlestation---and of
having his vote counted.