The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-10-23
The Battle of Ballots.

in Leon county, but in every county and
State in the Union. 1t gives us much
pleasure, in addressing our readers to-
day, to be able to convey to them cheer
ing news-Democratic news-news Of ap-
preaching victory. 1t is now almost an
undisputed fact that-Cleveland, Thur
man and Reform will be the winning
ticket in Indiana New York is con-
sidered safe. Illinois is ablaze with
Democratic enthusiasm. Cleveland is the
peoples candidate, and by the people he
will be elected. He is gaining strength
in every State, and his majority will be
beyond the most sanguine expectations.
In our own beloved Florida the can
vassis going bravely on. Middle Florida
is aglow with the brilliant reflection of
victory; West Florida is abaze with en-
thusiastic demonstrations South Florid
has kindled up and gives forth bright
light Of promise-even in far-a-way Key
West-the Gem of the Gulf-the camp
fires of Democracy are brightly burning,
and Old Monroe will come up with a
good majority; and East Florida is I" get
ting there" quietly, steadily, but surely.
She has the banner of victory floating,
and will plant it firmly in the enemy's
breastworks on November 6.
In our Leon County contest, Demo
Gratis are aroused and at work. Large
and enthusiastic crowds have met our
speakers at all of their appointments, and
all now needed to crown our labors with
success is the gentle futtering of the bal
lots into the boxes Day by day the
Democratic nominees are gaining ground.
Staunch Republicans come to them, un-
asked, and in numbers, and say boldly
that they intend this year to cast Demo
cratic ballots-Why: Because they
know that Eagan and Shipman have sold
them out for the sake of gaining a
few votes for their State ticket. They
know that the placiny OF McDougal, Will
liams and Johnson on the Republican (?)
ticket was done for this purpose. They
know that the office Of Sheriff had been
promised to William Ford, a stalwart
coored Republican, and that it was an
understood thing that he should be the
nominee, up to the time that Eagan con-
ceived the idea of trading the county
offices for votes for himself. Yes, they
know all this and more, and they say
owe will this year assert our freedom
and vote as We please" The colored
voters Of Leon county have awakened to
the fact that they have been led around
by the ear by greedy ofice-seekers long
enough, and this year hundreds of colored
Republicans will cast their silent but
effective ballots for Democratic nominees
VIII they vote thus because they have
become Democrats No, they still re-
main Republicans; they say they have
no ticket in the field, and that, rather
than vote for men who slip in and take
away their rights-rghts which they
themselves have earned by long years of
earnest labor for their party-rights
which they are justly entitled to on ac-
count of unfailing loyalty to party-they
will vote for the men who they know to
be honest and faithful in their politics.
those on the straight Democratic ticket.
Yes, the entire field looks bright and
cheering. Victory awaits US in the Ma
tional, State and county contests. All
that remains for you to do now, Demo
Gratis of Leon, is to turn out en- masse on
November6th, go to the polls in your re-
spective Districts, stay there, and work
faithfully until the last vote is polled. If
you do this, you can lie down to sleep, on
Tuesday night two weeks from now, feel
ing confident that Old Leon is safe; but,
if you fail to do your duty, and thus
allow the Mongrelites to step into power,
all the hard work that has already been
done in this campaign will have been
thrown away, and proud Old Leon will
again swarm with the scum of the earth,
and fraud, corruption and oppression, in
a tenfold worse form than that of the
dark and gloomy days of reconstruction,
will reign supreme. You cannot afford
this! Then rally to the polls-and the
battle of ballots will result in grand
and glorious Democratic victory.
Republicans admit that Iowa is slip