The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-18
AN APPEAL FOR CONVICTS
The VindicatiOn of Coy and Bernhamer
Expressly Called for by Democrats.
tiOnS and Outrageous PrOpOsitiOns-Dem-
ocratic Committee If Safety.

Coy and Bernhamer are in the psnitentiary
for the crime they committed against the rights
OF citizens. They were sent there by the nom
partisan Committee of One Hundred, which has
continued its good work in aiding to suppress
illegal voting. The committee proposes to have
the ballot-boxes and tally sheets Of the coming
election protected so far as vigilance, earnest
ness and the strict enforcement of the law can
accomplish that end, but the Democratic State
central and county committees have refused
10 aid 1t. IL the true reason for this
refusal Is wanted it can be found in an
address to the Democracy issued by tho La
Porte county central committee to individual
members of the party. That committee is more
candid in its opposition to fair election methods
than the Democratic State or Marion county
committee, which secretly seek to Get as far
away as possible from any plan iniorsed by
reputable men in their own party, as well IS by
other good citizens, that will secure an election
free from fraud But the LaPorte circular,
which bears the date-lins. coffee Of Democratic
Central Committee of LaPorts county. LaPorte,
Ind, Oct. J. 1888. y states in the beginning:
1.-THE first thing we desire to urge in this CAM
psicn 10 an honest election, and in order to So
S1AS WhASh VIC = W. " AA "oa1 ~ 800
tary, Immediately, the names Of ali hoaters or
doubtful voters In your township. that they may
receive attention on or before election day. 1t
10 absolutely necessary that this be done in order
10 secure the State to Cleveland. Thurman and
tariff reform. Realizing. as you must. the ne
cesssty OF . CONTINUATION Of the present admins
~tration. that better times may prevail. and
prosperity to the country extend even beyond
its present gratifying limit, you can readily see
the Importance of combined and cooperative
work in this canvass. While a vote gained for
the Democratic nominees means all this-it
means evsu more. II means a vindication
OF the martyrs. Coy and Bernbamsr, who.
at this moment. are subject to the NEST
unjust and humiliating confinement by reason
of a base and inhuman conspiracy Of the Repub-
licans at the State capital. This 10 a matter
which should fill the breast OF every true and
loyal Democrat in Indiana with righteous indig-
nation. and you cannon urge the beinousness OF
the false imprisonment of these two patriots too
strongly to your fsllow-Democrats. The snubs
which have met our President, on all sides. from
Republicans of high and low degree, should also
DO an incentive to greater courage In this battIa.
The foe with whom We have 20 deal IN this con-
fict IL as courageous as IL is inscriptions IN its
manner OF warfare aud 1t ia a battle wherein no
mercy will be shown 10 the ~vanquished; 1t 10 a
battle to the death. 1t behooves every Demo
crat on the picket line to not be found sleeping
st his poet. but be mp and ready to meet thrust
with thrust, lie with lie. and in the end, two bal
lots with one"
Tue atrocious suegestivness OF this cullinc
from one of most rsscslly political appeals ever
issued Is only squalsd by the closing paragraph
OF the circular, which reads:
''Do not misuudsrstand our motive in this
matter, as all selfish and personal feelings should
be sacrificed in The interest Of public good, which
can orly be secured by \ perpetuity in power of
the officers named. Naturally, expenses have
been incurred by you, and further expenditure
of money will be necessary to prosecute
the work mspred ont In this letter.
and in return for which We beg Of you to accept
the Enclosed check which, we hope, will meet
ali obligations. The first duty Of evsry Ameri-
can citizen Is to his country and we hope that
you will not allow any visionary scruples TO
stand in the way OF your true mission. which is
the election Of all our candidates. Allow rs, in
conclusion, tn assure you that you are not un-
known TO the Democratic councils in this
county. your name having been mentioned as a
future consideration 10 connection with a post
OF public trust, and you may be sure that We
will not lose sight of your claiIns upon the peo-
pie in time TO come
ssNnw ia tha TINS 70 dastrav this