Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-10-08
A LIVING ISSUE.

one OF Gne EDITORS, tnlnks JnaC reVlV1ng and
dwelling on the utterances of that journal
in support of Mr.. Blaine's theory about
the suppression of the popular vote at the
South, is to avoid the issue of the tariff
We do not desire to avoid the issue of the
tariff. but If we did, we have the
example of Hon. John Sherman. In his
sneech at Portsmouth. Ohio. last week,
that distinguished gentleman who, with
Mr. Blaine, forms the two most
prominent candidates of the Republican
party, uttered the most astonishing poll
teal doctrine with regard to the South.
To him the tariff is minor question.
Here is his major proposition: 1.-The ad-
ministration, in its appointments, sur
roundings ard sympathies, represents the
triumphs of the rebel cause. The restora-
ton to power of all that were disloyal
North or South during the war. do not
know how you feel about this matter,
but, aside from all differences about
minor questions. 1 feel that. for this gen.
Grafton at least, the loyal people of the
country, and not the disloyal, should
be trusted with power in the government.
should represent it abroad, guide it's policy
and write its history" There is the
monstrous proposition of the man who.
next to Blaine, stands the best chance Of
heading the Republican party in the next
Presidential election! The proposition to
prescribe, "for this generation at least"
one entire section of.the country, strikes
us, who live among the people whom it is
thus coolly proposed to prescribe, as a
laonstrous one and tar more important
than the tariff question. A protective
tariff as high even as seventy per cent.
would hardly compensate "this genera
bion'' for being kept out Of participation
in the government. These utterances are
not election buncomb8 suddenly sprung to
carry congressional districts in a latitude
which might be affected by such un-
American talk; they are the long consider
ed. well pondered arguments that have
been used by Republica speakers and put
in Republican platforms ever since the
Lection of Democratic President. To
give color of justice to the prescription of
Gle half the people of the Union it is nee
sssary to show that they are in possession
% political power that does not honestly
aslong to them. Here is the way Mr..
Blaine. just one month ago IN Maine, put
It
THE Democratic party, that bought men
sad women 70 no auction block and sold them
to the highest bidder, is parading now in the
no m, tc of thar 000 000 viz
Eizns, for which hey have never yet been tried
kra s2r which they haze never yet asked for
sg gSs The gmocrafs defeated the adnis
Dakota, ard hold that State out by
Eve to forty representative votes, which
II stolen in the South. They not only
y q e G. GEO, $50 of men in the South and ex-
cllds 5hsm from the ballot and take
thap electoral strength and give it TO white
southern men, but they go into the Congress
Of the United States and use the vote thus
sa zen to keep white Northern men from their
rjshts''
Now this opinion of Mr.. Blaine of the
oppression of the vote at the South, and
GA which Mr.. Sherman erects his PROPOSE
Lon that the present generation at the
south shall have no hand in the National
government, finds supporter in the VAL
5su Virginia7a, and also, unless he shall re-
2 date it to the people, in Mr.. Yost. one
q its editors, and the Republican candi.
ds4te now canvassing this district. That
&per year ago, for Mr.. Blaine's sup
Iressed vote views are not new and our
eotemporary was supporting them then, J
said:
The negro is counted in the census re-
tgrns. He is counted in estimating the basis |
81 representation in Congress and the elector- |
81 college, but when it comes to the ballot box |
e is not counted. He is either intimidated |
)m voting, or the ballot he casts perverted |
I'M its object and counted for what he did |
aot vote, or it is overcome by fraud. Yet if |
2 usion is made to this great crime against |
lac constitution the clamor is raised that the !,
0loody shirt is being waved. Do the partizan |
rpslignants and marplots of the Democratic |
party think the American people are all fools? |
DO they think they are all craven towards that |
they will permit such fragrant wrong to be |
psrpetrated against the foundation principles |!
q Republican government? Do they think |
that this menace to liberty and government |
viii be quietly and complacently tolerated, |
and no voice raised against it? When it is seen
that this great government is controlled and
its vast affairs administered by party secur-
ing its ascendancy through such MEANS do |
shey think it will be of long duration3 The |
equality of the people of the entire country
tho equal right and influence of each citizen |
recognized by the laws must be practically |
I'd United, or our form of government is fail
ure.n
And this language:
1.-THE President [Cleveand] holds his Office
because of this denial of equal representation |
at the ballot box-the suppression of the vote |
upon which State representation in Congress |
and the Electoral College is predicated.
1t is madness to suppose that the great Com |
monweaiths of the North, are going to submit |
TO be shorn of their equal power and import !,
ance in the control of the country"
The Virginian of last week replies to an |
article, in which we republished and CON-
mented on the above extracts, and it says
of the VINDIcAToR that:
1t quotes from the Virginian several edito-
rails written by the senior editor in regard to
the suppr ession of the popular vote in some
of the Southern States, and the danger that
lies hidden in this disregard of the constitu-
tional rights of the citizen and the equality of
the States, in their representation in Congress
and the Electoral College. The editorials |
from which our cotemporarv quotes were |
written in the interest of the South, and to |
warn the people against the misehievous poll |
CT of reckless leaders. who seem to care moth |