Huntsville gazette., 1888-09-22
REPUBLICAN A ADDESS.
HEADQUARTERS REPUB
LICAN STATE EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE,

TALLADtGA, Ala, Sept, 1st, 1888.
To the Republicans of Alabama:
The State canvass closed on the 9th
Of August, and the Democratic can
didates for State offices and the De>
mocratic candidates for county offic
es, in great minority of the counties
of the State, have been returned as
elected by large majorities.
The Legislature is almost solidly
Democratic.
While the practical result is known,
the will of the people is unknown,
and can not be ascertained, under
the present Registration and Elec-
ton laws Of the State
In all representative governments,
save in some Of the Southern States,
the purpose of election laws is to
guard the purity Of the ballot box,
and to ascertain the will of the peo-
pie as to their choice Of candidates,
and their judgment upon issues af-
fecting their political condition and
general welfare of the country.
But in this and some other Of the
States of the South, the Registration
and Election laws have been farmed
so that fraud and intimidation may
triumph and nullify the Constitutio n
and laws of the Republic, and to de
prive citizens of the right ofsuffrage
1t matters not what delinquency
may be laid to the Democratic party,
or what violation of law that party
may commit, there is 10 tribunal be-
fore which Democracy can be sue.
cessfully arrained, for it is absolutely
dominant, and its leaders move the
people as mere automatons for the
accomplishment of any partisan pur-
pose.
| This is an overthrow of all republi
can, all democratic, principles of gov
ernment "by the people of the peo-
pie and for the people" 1t is revos
luton; it is the notification Of the
| Constitution and laws of the Nation
Not, it is true, by people in their ag-
gregate governmental capacity as the
State Of Alabama, but in their or
ganized capacity as the Democratic
party.
The condition thus presented not
only confronts the people Of the
State OF Alabama, but it is a prob
lem which interests and confronts the
people of all States of the Republic
Whether there can long be denied
ga free ballot and an honest count
to a great body of citizens in any
State or section, either by govern
ment or popular act, is momentous
question, and wrong which the wis
dom of the statesman and the patrio.
tism OF the people must and will REM
edy. 1t is a danger which must be
averted, or it will terminate free ins
stitutions by the establishment of a
permanent aristocracy, or it will in"
woke the strong arm of military pow,
er as the only relief against anarchy
| No administration, no party, can
lorg be entrusted with unrestrained
power. Opposition is a necessary
check upon any safeguard, not only
Of honest government, but of liberty
itself.
But here, so intense is the partisan
spirit of Democracy that it crushes
all opposition; it will brook no criti
cisn, nor permit any investigation.
Free speech is suppressed. An i'm
perious arrogance usurps authority,
and distributes the offices Of the
State to whomsoever it pleases, and
disposes Of great public questions af'
fecting the States progress and the
peoples happiness and prosperity in
the star chamber proceedings Of 9
partisan caucus.
| No issues are discussed; no calm
dispassionate judgment is brought tc
bear upon any problem.
| Once before the people Of Alaba
main 1S61-were wrought into q
frenzy, the public mind intensified
and the public heart fired. Ruin
and disaster was the logical result -
ruin and disaster are as sure to follow
rocl mass opJ frap1u as pirh{ folloro