New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-06
TO-DAY,S DUTY.

All the labor of the last four months has only
secured for Republicans the opportunity to win
victory. 1t remains for them to win 1t, by
insuring full and fair vote and an honest
count to-day. 1t is not forgotten that the pop
ular revolution against President Clevelands
tariff policy is likely to make all schemes of
fraud innocuous and impotent To rest salts
fed with that strong probability, when GER
tainty can be reached by faithful work to-day,
would be the extreme of folly. The duty Of
the hour is to act Just as if few votes Of re-
peaters, or false return, in any one precinct
in this State, Connecticut or New-Jersey, might
change the electoral vote of State, and with it
the Presidential election. Watchful, earnest
and faithful effort this day by the Republican
voters in every precinct may turn the scale.
1t was the fact at the beginning of the cam
paign, and remains the fact to the end that the
electoral votes of either Newly ork, Connect
cut or New-Jersey may be necessary to elect
General Harrison. There is strong reason for
hope that he will have votes enough without
either one Of these States separately considered
but it would be folly to rest upon that hope as
a certainty. Democratic managers have been
less shrewd and accurate than Republicans in
times past in measuring the drift and force Of
public opinion. But they have the advantage
of interested officehoders in every town this
year, and they know better than Republicans
can what frauds are intended. That they pro-
fess to be exceedingly confident as to States
which Republicans consider safe is not proof
that they are confident but it warns Repub-
licans that they have no right to neglect at any
point the careful, thorough and painstaking
work which will secure full vote and defeat
fraud.
true Republican will be at the polls early
to-day. He will get his vote in as soon as
possible, that no work may be wasted in hunting
for him. He will personally see whether proper
workers are at his precinct, with ballots prop
erly printed. If there is any lack Of dis-
tributors challengers, or other workers, he will
see the committee in charge and volunteer his
aid. If he can detect any person not entitled
to VOTE or fraud of any other kind, he will not
rest until means have been taken to stop wrong
doing. If he can approach any hesitating or
fair minded voter with argument or fair per-
suasion, he will not rest until he has used all
the influence he possesses to win votes. If the
moral support of the presence Of good citizens is
will sacrifice personal convenience and comfort
just as long as he can see that his presence is
of more service there than elsewhere. He will
have no hesitation in firmly insisting upon
strict observance and enforcement of law,
earnestly protesting against any practice by
which fraud may be rendered more easy. If it
be possible for him to give any assistance, by
presence Or by personal help in securing an
honest count and return of the votes, he will
feel that his duty to his country is not done
until he has given all the help he can to the
cause.
True Republicans Of that sort who do all
that they can for good government ought to be
found in such number at every voting precinct
to-day as to prevent the loss of votes by neglect
or fraud. Voters have no right to take it for
granted that all committees are incapable of
neglect, or all workers beyond reach of cor
ruption. Their business is to see personally
that all necessary work is done, and to give
trusted men all the help in their power. With
that kind Of effort at every precinct, four years
of history may be made in twelve hours to-day.