The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-10-01

for one who han been q Republican. sees no
harm or wrong In the open deprivation Of the
colored voters of their franchise. and repeats
again the oft.rstutsd stsry that PRESIDENT {,
fraud. when the only fraud or wrong committed
In these States was by the Democratic party mp
ON weak and unofiendine freedmen, whom they
election there has been In all the South prac-
tical deprivation OF the colored people of their
night TO vote; but instead Of violence the fraud
is the common and easier mode.
Gov. Hoadly insists that because the Re
publican party couid lind no remedy for the
wrongs committed upon the freedmen no
wrong was committed. This does not follow.
IL may be that the Republican party failed to
grapple with the second rebellion or the South
with the energy demanded by the gravity OF the
offense, but at that time the resort TO extreme
measures was not in harmony with public
sentiment or the strong desire OF the Republi-
can psrtv 10 avoid actual conflict. But, In 10
erred in this respect. does n follow that this
ample OF the overthrow OF the rights OF a whole
race should be forgotten and condonedy Shall
the solid South. maintained by fraud and
violence. be continued controlling element In
our politics? Are we prepared 10 have six
millions of people deprived OF their constitu-
tional rights. as fostering sore in the politics
of the future? Shall we have a population
larger than that OF Ireland complaining of an
injustice far greater than ever was inflicted
upon the Irish people? Shall the promoters of
this wrong. a reward of their crime, enjoy
increased p5 itical power over an equal num-
Der OF people in the North? Shall ten thou
sand rebels and Democratic voters in Misss-
sippi elect a member OF Congress when it re-
quires $4,000 voters In Ohio to have the same
representation? Gov. Hoadly thinks nothing
should be said about il: that we must not
wound the feelings of the men who committed
this grave offense: that to do so is TO wave the
bloody shirt and to revive the recollections OF
You do about itS" He protesting to be a friend
of the colored men, has no remedy to offer, no
advice to give them except TO vote with their
former masters and the ku-klux Khan; He
thinks, as they are kindly people, they will do
50. X we can believe the testimony of every
living witness who has spoken upon the subject.
the colored man. II allowed to vote. will, with
out exception, vote with the Republican party,
that has secured him his freedom, and will pro-
tect him, to the extent OF its power, in his po-
litical rights. / trust that will always have
the courage to denounce the wrong that has
been done him and do my part toward seeking
q remedy.
should be made to the honor and good faith OF
the South to faithfully fulfil their parole Of
honor, and obey the constitutional amend
ments, and i, as one, would be willing to make
that appeal whenever 1 thought 1t would be
heard or needed. Gov. Hoadly asks why did
not go South and try to pesuade my country
men that 1t was their duty 10 right the wrong
He knows well any one that this appeal
would have been met in large portions OF the
South with the shotgun. Hundreds OF brave
men living IN the South, with property there
and interests there, have been driven from the
stand by armed ruifians, when they sought to
exercise the freedom of speech. A gentleman
known TO Gov. Hoadly, Gen. Willard Warner,
while Senator from the State Of Alabama. was
prevented from speaking to his constituents by
just such violence. and hundreds OF instances
are shown in the public records where free dis
cusson was accompanied by murder or whole
sale violence. But do believe that there is now
in the South feeling that the best inter-
ests of their people is that every legal voter
should be allowed TO vote and have his vote
counted. i am encouraged in this belief by
many leading citizens OF the South, and by tn Q
gallant contest now being made by Gen. Ma
hone and John s. Wise, in Virginia, who have
made, and are now making this appeal. i be-
lieve the Republicans in the South heartily
sympathiZe in this movement. They do not In
any degree object TO Confederate holding an
office of honor, trust, or profit, but only ask
that he shall be willing to observe and respect
the rights of others.
The Republican policy of protection to indus
try, free schools, and internal development and
improvement. accompanied with an honest
vote, and an honest count, would win favor
with the Southern people. IL only 1t could be
presented in open discussion free from the hate
and sectional feeling growing out OF the civil
war. That has been the feeling in the North
and but for the interest aud policy OF the Dem
ocratic party in maintaining solid South, it
would prevail in Virginia, North Carolina and
Tennessee. while an honest election at any
time, in any State south of these, except Texas,
would give Republican majority.
Gov. Hoadly says that If the solid South will
still deny 10 the cOlored people the right to vote
representation cannot be reduced under the
fourteenth amendment, because i cannot point
out the State law that in terms excludes them,
from voting. IL is Tor each house 10 judge Of
the election of its members IL the Constitu-
ton of the United States, which confers the
right to representation is in fact disregarded by
a State, or fwithin State, each house will judge
for itself whether members and Senators are
elected according to the Constitution, and the
case may arise when this will be its bounden
duty.
Gov. Hoadlv says that the Republican party
depends in Tennessee on fraudulent voting
The only evidence of this groundless statement
is that the Republicans of Tennessee opposed
the passage OF a registry law III that State to be
administered by the Democratic party. i do
not know the grounds of this opposition but
can easily conceive that they do not care to
leave the Democratic party the chance to prac-
tice frauds under registry law well as un-
der their favorite way of a change of the re-
turns. A fair registry law. honestly admins
tered is a restraint upon fraud, but it is no re-
straint upon q change of ballots or a fraudulent
return. Does not Gov. Hoadly know that all
the historic frauds at elections from the time Of
the Plaquemine frauds at the election of 1884 to
this time are the exclusive work of the Demo-
cratic party?