River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-05-17
ELECTION FRAUDS.
An Issue of Supreme Importance to Every
Honest American.


The declaration of the Ohio Repub-
licans in favor of fair and honest cleo
tons throughout the whole country
touches an issue of supreme impor-
lance. 1t is unqueStionably true, ms
they assert, that the Democratic parry
now holds the Presidency and one
branch of Congress through II system
attic suppression of the franchise in
the Southern States. The fact is no
longer denied, but openly and inso-
lently proclaimed, by Southern papers
and politicians that the colored vote
has been practically removed by fraud
and violence, and that they do not
propose to let it have any influence in
their affairs. The Democratic party
as party indorSes and profits by this
notification of law and justice, and
has done SO for many years. But the
story Of wrong and crime does not
stop there. 1t is not in the South
alone that Illegal methods are en-
ploved to achieve Democratic sue
cesses. A similar policy prevails TO
an alarming extent in he North. IL
not single one of the large cities
where the Democrats have control
does 6 perfectly honest election ever
take place. Some of the frauds that
have been discovered in that relation
are quite equal TO any that have been
perpetrated in the South; and in every
instance the guilty parties have been
Democrats, operating with the APP
prOval of the leaders OF their party.
1t is n notorious fact that no Demo-
cratic Legislature has ever passed
sound and effective registration law.
or taken any other honest step to pro-
tect the purity of the ballot-box. All
Legislation of that kind has been ac-
complished by Republican votes and
influences The Democratic record is
one of persistent opposition TO the idea
of preventing corruption and securing
TO all classes of citizens the right TO
cast an honest vote aud to have it
fairly counted. In Ohio, Indiana, Illi-
nois and other States, the courts have
been called upon to deal with eases of
forgery and perjury showing deiib-
crate purpose on the part of Democrat
ic election officers to defeat the Popu-
lar will and make a mockery OF the
law. This is one Of the grave dangers
to our institutions, and one that all
good citizens should be anxious to re-
move. II is idle to talk of the strength
and glory of government by the peo-
pie, Of the people and for the people
without an assurance Of integrity and
impartiality in the processes that gov
ern our elections. As the Ohio Repub-
licans insist Free and untrammeled
suffrage lies at the foundation Of the
Republic. That is the basis and de-
Tense Of all our political rights and
privileges. When the source OF popu-
lar power is corrupted. we are at the
mercy of the worst elements Of society;
and that is precisely what the Demo-
cratic party most relies upon 10 MAIN
tain its supremacy and promote its gen.
eral interests The people should not
fail to give careful attention 10 this
feature Of the situation. II is even
more important in its way than the
tariff or any other current question;
and the Republican party is bound In
duty and honor to make it q prominent
issue in the coming National campaign.
st. Louis Glote-Dcmocrax